Thursday, June 12, 2014

Reading for today: Proverbs 7-9

So when temptation comes our way, how do we resist it?  Solomon instructs his child over and over again to resist temptation. We see temptation here in chapter 7 in the form of an “adulteress”. In today’s world we’d call her a cougar, a woman who goes after a younger man. The underlying message is that temptation can come in very appealing ways. So what sin tempts you? Sin loves to make itself look very appealing but what ultimately results is anything but appealing. When we give in to sin things can actually get very ugly. 

So Solomon gives his child (and us) more helpful advice for resisting. Earlier in Proverbs we were told to, “hold on to prudence” (5:2). In other words think long and hard about what would happen if you follow this path and learn to say no to temptation.

Now in chapter 7 we get another tactic. Look at verses 1-3, “keep my words and store up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple of your eye;  bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

What he is telling us is to fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God, so that when sin comes our way, we recognize it for what it is and can resist it. How do we fill our hearts and minds? by studying and reading and memorizing God's word.

I also think that when we are full of God’s truth, we are full of God. We can rely on His strength to help us combat the enemy. 

This reminds me of the song by Matt Maher, “Lord I Need”

“So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay”