Bible League: Living His Word One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.— Proverbs 14:16 ESV Sin and evil don't always announce themselves as such. That is, they don't always appear to be as they really are. Sometimes, sin and evil disguise themselves, making themselves out to be something good. This should not surprise us, for the Bible tells us that even Satan "disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). He does it to deceive us and trick us into falling for the evil intentions he has for us. He couldn't care less if it is an unfair tactic. It is also less than surprising that his servants "disguise themselves as servants of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:15). Those disguises will not be effective with the wise man from our verse today. He recognizes evil for what it is and turns away. In contrast, a fool, as our verse points out, is reckless and careless. What does it mean to be reckless and careless? It means that someone is simply not concerned with the consequences of what he believes or what he does. Reckless and careless people do not pay enough attention to what confronts them, taking no thought to the possibility that a wolf in sheep's clothing may be in front of them. They do not consider the possibility that what seems good to them is actually evil. Wise people are just the opposite. They are aware that there is evil in the world and that it doesn't play fair. Instead of being reckless and careless, they are cautious. What does it look like to be cautious? It means that someone is alert and prudent. Cautious people are wary, Recognizing that there are wolves in sheep's clothing out there. Hence, they pay attention to what confronts them in life and won't open themselves up to exploitation. It is very difficult for Satan and his servants to play the wise for fools. Being ready to turn away from evil takes wisdom that comes from knowing God and His Word. Continue in prayer for this wisdom, friends, so that you will not be in the company of the careless fools. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEcclesiastes 1, 2, 3 Ecclesiastes 1 -- "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ecclesiastes 2 -- "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ecclesiastes 3 -- For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Corinthians 9 2 Corinthians 9 -- Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift; Those who Sow Generously will Reap Generously NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.Insight As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers. With God helping you pray, you don't need to be afraid to come before him. Challenge Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you “in harmony with God's own will.” Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Deuteronomy 1:38 Encourage him.God employs his people to encourage one another. He did not say to an angel, "Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into Canaan--go, encourage him." God never works needless miracles; if his purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, he will not use miraculous agency. Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses. A brother's sympathy is more precious than an angel's embassy. The angel, swift of wing, had better known the Master's bidding than the people's temper. An angel had never experienced the hardness of the road, nor seen the fiery serpents, nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done. We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we are fused more completely into one family. Brethren, take the text as God's message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees, but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by his promises; Christ encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others, according to the word of this evening. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!John 2:9,10 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, • and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." Job 34:3 "For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. 2 Corinthians 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak, 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Romans 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 1 Peter 2:2,3 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, • if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
    |