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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for June 2016
July 1, 2016
Proverbs 7:8 – Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house.
Thought: There are some people who intentionally play with sin. There are others who flirt with sin from time to time. Either way, drawing near to temptation and evil is dangerous. It is like a little mouse that cannot stay away from the cheese on the trap. Eventually the trap snaps shut. We have all seen that closed trap. The picture is not a pretty one. So it is when one plays with sin.
I Corinthians 6:18
July 2, 2016
Proverbs 7:9 – In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.
Thought: Sin, evil, wrong doing, and wicked deeds love to be carried out in the darkness. So many sinful things are done undercover and in secret and hidden places. This shows the corrupt nature of sin. It is not open, honest, and transparent. If it were known publically, there would be shame and disgrace. This gives us a good measure of good and evil. If I cannot do it in the light, I may not need to do it at all.
Job 24:13-15
July 3, 2016
Proverbs 7:10 – And behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart.
Thought: In this verse, we learn two things about sin. First, it is difficult for sin to cloak itself in something other than what it is. The harlot dresses like a harlot. Gambling will always be gambling. Lying will always be lying. Theft will always be theft. As sin approaches, however, it comes with subtleness of heart. It whispers lies to those who come near its gate.
Isaiah 3:16-24
July 4, 2016
Proverbs 7:11 – (She is loud and stubborn, her feet abide not in her house.
Thought: The strange woman, as with all sin, is not ashamed to make herself known. She is loud. Too, she is stubborn, that is, not minding the law of duty, or discretion, or modesty. Keil and Delittzsch make this statement: “She is very opposite the noiseless activity and the gentle modesty of the true house-wife, rude, stubborn, and also vagrant like a beast in season” (e-sword, K&D).
Genesis 39:7-10
July 5, 2016
Proverbs 7:12 – Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.
Thought: Temptation, the opportunity to sin, and sin itself are always present. Evil “lieth in wait at every corner.” There is no place of refuge from it. The only safety is found in a heart guarded by God’s Word and a stubborn refusal to partake of its fruit.
Job 1:7
July 6, 2016
Proverbs 7:13 – So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him.
Thought: The young man Solomon saw near the house of the strange woman is now in her clutches. “She caught him.” At first glance, all appears well. She “kissed him.” She shows her affection for him. She wants him to believe she cares. Her face is confident. There is no shame in her countenance. She seems so sincere. What she displays is the power of sin’s deception. Beware, young man! Beware!
Titus 3:13
July 7, 2016
Proverbs 7:14 – I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.
Thought: One of the deceptions of the strange woman is to portray herself as a religious person. She tells the young man that her vows have been paid. Too, she invites him to engage in the sacrifice of peace offerings which she has with her. Her religious practice, however, can be combined with sexual immorality. The religious component of this woman’s life is just another deception. Being “religious” does not guarantee morality and righteousness.
Proverbs 21:27
July 8, 2016
Proverbs 7:15 – Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
Thought: The strange woman tells the young man of her desire for him. She “diligently” sought for him. He seems to be important to her. He is longed by her. More deception. If it had not been this young man, it would have been another. She wants him only to use him for her sordid desires. Sadly, he is glad he is wanted.
Luke 22:31
July 9, 2016
Proverbs 7:16 - I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
Thought: The strange woman immediately points the young man to the place of sin. She paints the picture of a very comfortable, beautiful bed. Her bed was covered with the finest coverings and linens from around the world. She wants him to believe that this experience will be one-of-a-kind.
Genesis 3:4-5
July 10, 2016
Proverbs 7:17 – I have perfumed by bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Thought: Sin seeks to lure man into its trap by appealing to every sense of man. Here, the strange woman appeals to the young man’s sense of smell. Her bed has the aroma of the finest perfumes of the day. It is interesting that Satan does all he can to cover the stench of death.
Isaiah 3:24
July 11, 2016
Proverbs 7:18 – Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with love.
Thought: Here, we hear sin’s invitation. “Come!” Sin eventually invites the simple to partake of its fruit. The word “love” is used twice. She also reminds him that their session together will cause him to “leap for joy” and be greatly delighted. How can the young man refuse? It’s not sin; it’s love. He will leave with feelings of joy and happiness. Oh, the promises of sin!
II Chronicles 18:20-22
July 12, 2016
Proverbs 7:19 – For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey.
Thought: This evil woman informs the young man that her husband is not at home. She promises that he will not return during their time together because he has gone on a long journey. This promise is designed to help push this young man into her bed. A beautiful woman. A woman who desires him. A beautiful bed. Wonderful smells. And, no chance of being caught. What more could this young man desire?
Genesis 39:11-12
July 13, 2016
Proverbs 7:20 – He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
Thought: Sin always attempts to assure us that it is safe to practice. Thus, we have such phrases as “drink responsibly” and “practice safe sex.” The word “moderation” is thrown around by many who engage in question-able and sinful practices. My friends, how many have been surprised by the early return of the goodman of the house?
Mark 13:35
July 14, 2016
Proverbs 7:21 – With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, and with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
Thought: Here, we are impressed with both the beautiful presentation of sin and the power of sin. The strange woman’s words are “fair.” This woman causes the young man to yield. In fact, “she forced him.” If sin is not resisted with great force, it will overcome its prey. All need to come to respect the power and ability of Satan’s temptations.
Judges 16:16-17
July 15, 2016
Proverbs 7:22 – He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks.
Thought: The young man yields to the enticements and promises of the strange woman. He is oblivious to the consequences of this relationship, just as an ox is that slowly walks to the place of slaughter. Little does he know that his actions will bring severe consequences. The stripes he will ultimately receive will forever remain as scars.
Genesis 38:13-16
July 16, 2016
Proverbs 7:23 – Till a dart strike though his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
Thought: Yielding to the strange woman is a deadly action. The liver when pierced brings death. When a bird is caught in a net, his end is death. It is ironic to see a man happily walking to his death. Sadly, that happiness will be turned into mourning. His encounter with the strange woman will seal his fate.
Proverbs 9:18
July 17, 2016
Proverbs 7:24 – Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Thought: The wise parent is constantly giving instructions to his children. He constantly warns and exhorts. He understands the dangers his sons and daughters face. He realizes how quickly life can change for the worse. He comprehends the fact that one choice can impact the totality of his child’s future. Thus, he constantly says to his children: “Hearken unto me!”
I John 2:1
July 18, 2016
Proverbs 7:25 – Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Thought: In this verse, we read the words of the “old negative parent.” This is the parent who is constantly saying: “Don’t do this,” and, “Don’t do that.” This is the parent that is not liked or appreciated by his children. They think: “Dad (mom) does not want me to have any fun.” They are mistaken. What dad (mom) is really thinking is: “I want my child to live life to the fullest and not die.”
Ezekiel 33:11
July 19, 2016
Proverbs 7:26 – For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Thought: Women are referred to in Scripture as ‘the weaker vessel.” This is true when it comes to physical strength. They, however, have another power over men that can “wound” and “slay” almost any male. Their physical beauty, their flattering words, and their enticing promises have brought many men to ruin. Let no man think that he can flirt with the strange woman and remain unscathed.
Nehemiah 13:26
July 20, 2016
Proverbs 7:27 – Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Thought: The strange woman had painted a picture of perfection in the mind of the young man. Her bed was covered with beautiful tapestries from all over the world. Her chamber was filled with perfumes that would excite the senses. Satan is proficient in decorating the places that lead to despair, decay, and death. Don’t be fooled by the look and smell. Death is close by.
Psalm 53:4
July 21, 2016
Proverbs 8:1 – Doth not wisdom cry out? And understanding put forth her voice?
Thought: The wisdom of God is not silent. It is constantly shouting to the ignorant, the sinful, the burdened, and the spiritually sick of this world. It is interesting that almost every home has a copy of the Bible in it. Through the written Word, God is shouting to the world. His voice cries out to them. His message can also be found on the radio, the television the internet, in publications, in church buildings, and in many other places. Yes, wisdom is crying out constantly to the masses!!!
Isaiah 55:1-3
July 22, 2016
Proverbs 8:2 – She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Thought: There are very few places where divine wisdom is not. If it is absent, it is because man has cast it aside. Opportunity abounds for man to come to know God’s will. There will be no one who stands in judgment who will be able to say: “I did not have the opportunity to know the will of God.”
Jeremiah 36:21-23
July 23, 2016
Proverbs 8:3 – She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Thought: Divine wisdom is always accessible. It is available to all who enter into the gates of the city. Perhaps this proverb was given to remind the young man of the elders who congregated at the city gates. These men were studied, knowledgeable, wise, and experienced. Guidance from them would prove beneficial. Questions could be answered, direction could be obtained, and wisdom could be sought out as one came into or departed from the city.
Ruth 4:1-2
July 24, 2016
Proverbs 8:4 – Unto you, O man, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.
Thought: God longs for His wisdom to be heard by all. The reason is because all men stand in need of it. Sadly, far too many fail to heed the call of wisdom. They are too busy, too stubborn, too intelligent, or a combination of all these things. They march on in their own foolishness and to their own destruction.
Psalm 50:1
July 25, 2016
Proverbs 8:5 – O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools be ye of an understanding heart.
Thought: God has longings and desires for men. He does all he can for man without violating his free will. He yearns for man to understand wisdom. He has revealed His Word, and He has commanded man to hear it. He uses His ministers to exhort the simple and the fools of the earth. Hear and understand is the call of God. My friend, can you honestly say that you possess “an understanding heart” when it comes to the wisdom of God?
Acts 26:15-18
July 26, 2016
Proverbs 8:6 – Hear, for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Thought: Most of us need to be given a reason to listen. Why should we listen to God’s Word? Why should we listen to those who are older? Why should children listen to their parents? Two reasons are given in this verse. They speak of “excellent things” and of “right things.” Excellent things are “princely things,” things that are high and lofty. Right things stand in opposition to things that are wrong and false. My friends, only the foolish would turn away from the instruction of wisdom.
I Corinthians 2:6-7
July 27, 2016
Proverbs 8:7 – For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Thought: God’s Word contains absolute truth (John 17:17). There is not one ounce of falsehood in it. Good parents and counselors who are guided by the Word of God also seek to proclaim truth. They realize the danger of false ways. In fact, wickedness is something that is disgusting to them. Dear reader, we should be honored when someone seeks to teach us and guide us with the wisdom that is from above.
Acts 26:24-26
July 28, 2016
Proverbs 8:8 – All the words of my mouth are righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them.
Thought: Divine wisdom is always right. It never leads one astray. It never takes one down paths of destruction. It never causes one to be lost in this world or the world to come. Not only is God’s word righteous, but those who adhere to it can be righteous as well.
Romans 1:16-17
July 29, 2016
Proverbs 8:9 – They are plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Thought: When a person has come to the truth, it is amazing how simple the truth seems. He often wonders how he could have failed to misunderstand it for so long in the past. The truth is also right. It is so right that those who understand it will stand upon it, fight for it, and, even, die for it. Knowledge is truly a blessing.
Ephesians 1:16-20
July 30, 2016
Proverbs 8:10 – Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Thought: Silver and gold are two precious, that is valuable commodities. Most long to have as much silver and gold as possible. They slave daily to obtain it. The inspired writer, however, tells us that there is something more valuable than either gold or silver. In fact, gold and silver do not begin to compare to the worth of this item. It is the instruction and knowledge of God’s divine Word. This should be the first desire of all men. It should be what is sought before silver and gold, before anything.
Psalm 119:72
July 31, 2016
Proverbs 8:11 – For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Thought: Women long for diamond and pearls. They long for shoes and purses. Men long for cars and “toys.” They long for tools and gadgets. Others desire education, careers, businesses, travel, and on the list goes of man’s wants. Men and women work hard and long to have the things they desire. Of all that can be desired, wisdom is the most important thing. “…all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Will we ever be convinced of this truth?
Job 28:12-19
Read devotionals for August 2016