A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (January 20, 2016)
Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you’ll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight- guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They’ll be with you to fend off the Temptress – that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress. (Proverbs 7:1-5, The Message Bible)
You could read Proverbs 7 as a warning just about adulterous women and prostitutes but if you did you would miss the big picture. This Proverb is talking about the nature and characteristics of all sin and how seductive, alluring, and tempting it is.
Satan, your enemy, comes to kill. steal and destroy (John 10:10). But you must recognize his tactics and nature. He is not going to come wearing a tee shirt that says “I am the devil” and “I will lead you to hell and destruction”. He is a seducer, so he dresses up like a seducer. He will always make the grass on the other side appear greener (like someone else’s wife or husband). He will always tell you that you can quit anytime you want to (like with drugs or alcohol). He will always tell you that all those bad things that happened to other people will never happen to you (like DUI charges, arrests, or death). He will always tell you that you are stronger than that.
It is all a seductive tactic and lie from the father of lies! And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) There is a scripture in Revelation about Jesus standing at the door of our hearts: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) Jesus is not the only one knocking at our door. Satan is knocking also and we have to make a decision on who we will allow in. That is why Proverbs is constantly admonishing us to listen to God’s instruction, to gain wisdom and understanding, and to not be deceived by the harlot.
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7:24-27)
Here is the reality of the situation. We live in a world that is becoming more and more seductive. You and I have to make a decision every day on the doors we will open or shut. Be encouraged. God has not been caught off guard. He knew this day was coming and told us that as sin abounds, grace will much more abound. So, put your armor on and keep feeding on the Word of God. Be at peace, for He has overcome this world and so can we if we will abide by His instructions.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
