GOOD ADVICE

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent!" (Prov. 1:10 NKJV).

Sin looks appealing, and the pressure of peers can be strong. Therefore, we need to avoid the invitations by the wrong kind of people. Here in our verse, we have some good advice on how to avoid temptation and keep from sinning. Thus we want to note: the attraction of sin, the acceptance of sin, and the avoiding of sin.

Attraction of sin – “Entice you.” The word “entice” emphasizes the attraction of sin. Sin likes to advertise itself as something nice and enjoyable and beneficial. We must not be deceived by the nice looks of sin. It is all a mirage, it is deceptive, and it is to beguile you. Like bait on the hook, it looks appealing; but do not bite into the bait or you will be ruined.

Acceptance of sin – “Sinners entice you.” The word “sinners” is in the plural and emphasizes the fact that sin is very popular and many people are involved. Many will entice us to sin, and if we oppose, we will walk alone. There will be no large crowd on the path of holiness. But the road of evil will be crowded. What’s popular with man may not be popular with God. Men may applaud and honor you while God condemns you. We need to live our lives so we will be accepted by God, and do not worry about the acceptance of man.

Avoiding of sin – “Do not consent.” Sin is to be refused. This order to “do not consent” does not leave room for negotiations, flirting, or dabbling with evil. It does not say to read about it and learn about it. It is simply an absolute refusal of sin. It is ‘no’ today and tomorrow and forever. We will never defeat sin if we are passive in opposing it. We must be strong and steadfast in opposing sin, or we will eventually be corrupted by sin.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“As we trust God to give us wisdom for today’s decisions, He will lead us a step at a time into what He wants us to be doing in the future!”

Theodore H. Epp (1907 – 1935)

American Christian Clergyman, Writer, and Radio Evangelist

Word Study

Doubting

In James 1:6 we read, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (NKJV).

Doubting is the Greek word diakrinō (διακρίνω = dee-ak-ree'-no). It is made up of two words: “dia” which means separation; and “krino” which means to distinguish, decide, judge. Thus the word means to make a distinction, decide, judge, dispute, doubt. Literally, diakrinō means I judge through. Diakrinō was a technical legal term meaning to render a legal decision.

In the Septuagint diakrinō carries the idea of choice and discernment. In the New Testament diakrinō meant to discern, to judge, or to make distinction. Now, contrary to widespread misunderstanding, doubt is not the same as unbelief, so it is not the opposite of faith. Rather it is a state of mind between faith and unbelief. To believe is to be of one mind in accepting something as true; to disbelieve is to be of one mind in rejecting it; to doubt is to waver somewhere between the two, and thus to be of two minds.

So, James reminds us that prayers are to be asked “in faith” nothing wavering. Doubting indicates an unwillingness to rely completely on God. And because of this reluctance the believer is deprived of inner peace. Therefore, we must believe that God is, that He exists and that He does love and care for us and that He will hear and answer us when we ask for wisdom to face the trials and temptations of life.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be smitten by God (Psalm 69:26)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 18:11

Did You Know…

In Exodus 24:18, Moses went up the mountain and entered the cloud of God. In Matt. 17:5, a cloud on the mountain enveloped the Lord Jesus.

Bible Quiz

When will Jesus Christ return to the earth?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to the Psalms, how far has God removed our sin from us? As far as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

"Eyes of faith”

“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7 NKJV).

“Eyes of faith” - The expression “eyes of faith” carries the idea of spiritual faith. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character, i.e. believing in who He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises that He will do what He says He will do. Faith allows believers to live in a God-honoring way and to make God-honoring decisions because these can be based on spiritual realities that are not seen.

Did You Know – Christian History

Mary Mason Lyon was born February 28, 1797 in Buckland, MA. She was an American pioneer in women’s education. She established the Wheaton Female Seminary in Norton, MA (now Wheaton College) in 1834. She then established Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now Mount Holyoke College) in South Hadley, MA in 1837 and served as its first president for 12 years.

Lyon’s father died when she was five, and the entire family pitched in to help run the farm. She grew up learning the skills necessary for a girl of her day - spinning, weaving, sewing, and farming and acquired a thirst for knowledge, especially in mathematics and the sciences. She attended various district schools occasionally, and in 1814, began teaching in them as well. Lyon’s modest beginnings developed her lifelong commitment to extending educational opportunities to girls from average and poor backgrounds.

In 1834, Lyon helped in the establishing the Wheaton Female Seminary (now Wheaton College) in Norton, MA. She created the first curriculum with the goal that it be equal in quality to those of men’s colleges. Wheaton Female Seminary opened on 22 April 1835.

Lyon left Wheaton to start Mount Holyoke which opened in 1837. It is the nation’s oldest college for women. Mount Holyoke’s curriculum was rigorous, including science, mathematics, history, and theology. Mary Lyon served as principal for the first twelve years, establishing a model of excellence and Christian living for the students. Her chapel lectures from Proverbs as well as her other addresses to the young women were full of timeless spiritual advice and practical applications.

Lyon was raised a Baptist but converted to a Congregationalist under the influence of her teacher Reverend Joseph Emerson. Lyon preached revivals at Mount Holyoke, spoke elsewhere, and, though not a minister, was a member of the fellowship of New England’s New Divinity clergy. She also played a major role in the revival of the thought of Jonathan Edwards.

Lyon died on March 5, 1849 and was buried on the Mount Holyoke College campus.

A Little Humor

The story goes that a public sinner was excommunicated and forbidden entry to the church. He took his woes to God. “They won’t let me in, Lord, because I am a sinner.” “What are you complaining about?” said God. “They won’ let Me in either.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“The Lord does not forgive excuses, He forgives sin!”