Bible League: Living His Word Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Our verse for today makes a distinction between the person who trusts his own mind and the person who walks in wisdom. To use the terminology of the Apostle Paul, one might say that Proverbs 28:26 is referring to the distinction between the mind governed by the flesh and the mind governed by the Spirit (Romans 8:6). "Flesh" is Paul's metaphor for the sinful spiritual state of human beings. A mind governed by the flesh is a mind governed by the sinful spiritual state of an individual person. Instead of using the mind in service to God, the flesh uses it in the service of its own sinful self. As Paul goes on to say in Romans: "the mind governed by the flesh is death" (Romans 8:6). This is because the mind of the flesh leads people to oppose God and the things of God (Romans 8:7). Our Proverbs verse says that anyone who trusts his own mind, that is, who trusts his own mind in service to the flesh, is a fool. After all, opposition to God can only end badly for us. "He who walks in wisdom," in contrast, walks in accordance with a mind governed by the Spirit. Instead of using the mind in service to the sinful spiritual state, the Spirit uses it in service to God. As Paul also goes on to say in Romans: "the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). This is because the mind governed by the Spirit leads people to obey God and the things of God. Instead of opposition to God there is peace with God and life from God. Our Proverbs verse says that anyone who walks in wisdom, that is, who walks in the wisdom born of the Spirit of God, will be delivered. After all, obedience to God can only end well for us. We have a choice to make. We can trust the thinking of our own minds governed by our sinful selves, or we can walk in the wisdom born from minds governed by the Spirit of God. With the first option we get to do things our own way, but the end result is death. With the second option we must humbly submit to the leading of the Spirit, but the end result is life. The choice is ours. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 38, 39, 40 Psalm 38 -- O Lord, don't rebuke me in your wrath NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 39 -- I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 40 -- I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me, and heard my cry. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 23:12-35 Acts 23 -- Paul before the Sanhedrin; Warned of Plot; Transferred to Caesarea NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”Insight Jesus says that the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, so be on guard against greed (desire for what we don't have). This is the exact opposite of what society usually says. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to entice us to think that if we buy more and more of their products, we will be happier, more fulfilled, more comfortable. Challenge How do you respond to the constant pressure to buy? Learn to tune out expensive enticements and concentrate instead on the truly good life—living in a relationship with God and doing his work. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Obadiah 1:11 Even thou wast as one of them.Brotherly kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need, but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel's foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus, "and thou Brutus;" a bad action may be all the worse, because of the person who has committed it. When we sin, who are the chosen favorites of heaven, we sin with an emphasis; ours is a crying offence, because we are so peculiarly indulged. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, "What thou? What dost thou here?" Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, shall we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid! A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to thee, gentle reader, this morning. Hast thou never been as the wicked? At an evening party certain men laughed at uncleanness, and the joke was not altogether offensive to thine ear, even thou wast as one of them. When hard things were spoken concerning the ways of God, thou wast bashfully silent; and so, to on-lookers, thou wast as one of them. When worldlings were bartering in the market, and driving hard bargains, wast thou not as one of them? When they were pursuing vanity with a hunter's foot, wert thou not as greedy for gain as they were? Could any difference be discerned between thee and them? Is there any difference? Here we come to close quarters. Be honest with thine own soul, and make sure that thou art a new creature in Christ Jesus; but when this is sure, walk jealously, lest any should again be able to say, "Even thou wast as one of them." Thou wouldst not desire to share their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Come not thou into their secret, lest thou come into their ruin. Side with the afflicted people of God, and not with the world. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Corinthians 15:24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.Matthew 13:32,33,37 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES." • He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened." • And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. James 5:8,9 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. • Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Luke 12:35,36 "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. • "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 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. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |