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EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PROVERBS
(GOD’S COMMAND MANUAL FOR
SOLDIERS IN THE ANGELIC
CONFLICT Chapters 1 - 11)
BY
DR JOHN C McEWAN
[BOOK 50-1]
13 JUNE 2009
EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
Professor Simon Greenleaf was one of the most eminent lawyers of all time. His “Laws of Evidence” for many years were
accepted by all States in the United States as the standard methodology for evaluating cases. He was teaching law at a
university in the United States when one of his students asked Professor Greenleaf if he would apply his “Laws of
Evidence” to evaluate an historical figure. When Greenleaf agreed to the project he asked the student who was to be the
subject of the review. The student replied that the person to be examined would be Jesus Christ. Professor Greenleaf
agreed to undertake the examination of Jesus Christ and as a result, when he had finished the review, Simon Greenleaf
personally accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
Professor Greenleaf then sent an open letter to all jurists in the United States saying in part “I personally have
investigated one called Jesus Christ. I have found the evidence concerning him to be historically accurate. I have also
discovered that Jesus Christ is more than a human being, he is either God or nothing and having examined the evidence
it is impossible to conclude other than he is God. Having concluded that he is God I have accepted him as my personal
Saviour. I urge all members of the legal profession to use the “Laws of Evidence” to investigate the person of the Lord
Jesus Christ and if you find that he is wrong expose him as a faker but if not consider him as your Saviour and Lord”
HOW CAN I BE SAVED?
Salvation is available for all members of the human race.
Salvation is the most important undertaking in all of God's universe. The salvation of sinners is never on the basis of
God's merely passing over or closing His eyes to sin. God saves sinners on a completely righteous basis consistent with
the divine holiness of His character. This is called grace. It relies on God so man cannot work for salvation, neither can
he deserve it. We need to realise that the creation of this vast unmeasured universe was far less an undertaking than
the working out of God's plan to save sinners.
However the acceptance of God's salvation by the sinner is the most simple thing in all of life. One need not be rich, nor
wise, nor educated. Age is no barrier nor the colour of one's skin. The reception of the enormous benefits of God's
redemption is based upon the simplest of terms so that there is no one in all this wide universe who need be turned
away.
How do I become a Christian?
There is but one simple step divided into three parts. First of all I have to recognise that I am a sinner (Romans 3:23;
6:23; Ezekiel 18:4; John 5:24).
Secondly, realising that if I want a relationship with Almighty God who is perfect, and recognising that I am not perfect, I
need to look to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24; lsaiah 53:6; John 3:16).
Thirdly, by the exercise of my own free will I personally receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, believing that He
died personally for me and that He is what He claims to be in an individual, personal and living way (John 1:12; 3:36;
Acts 16:31; 4:12).
The results of Salvation
The results of this are unbelievably wonderful:
My sins are taken away (John 1:29),
I possess eternal life now (1 John 5:11,12),
I become a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17),
The Holy Spirit takes up His residence in my life (1 Corinthians 6:19),
And I will never perish (John 10:28-30).
This truthfully is life's greatest transaction. This is the goal of all people; this is the ultimate of our existence. We invite
and exhort any reader who has not become a Christian by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to follow these simple
instructions and be born again eternally into God's family (Matthew 11:28; John 1:12; Acts 4:12; 16:31).
© Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia 2004 - PO Box 163 Armadale Western Australia 6992
Many other Christian resources are available freely from our internet web site: www.ebcwa.org.au and
www.newstartbibleministries.org.au for weekly messages.
For further information contact Dr Peter Moses at PO Box 163 Armadale WA 6992 or email Brian Huggett
[email protected]
We encourage you to freely copy and distribute these materials to your Pastor and friends. You only, need written
permission from EBCWA if you intend using the materials in publications for resale. We encourage wide distribution
freely!
PROVERBS 1-11
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EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
3
CHAPTER
1
3
CHAPTER
2
21
CHAPTER
3
32
CHAPTER
4
42
CHAPTER
5
49
CHAPTER
6
52
CHAPTER
7
61
CHAPTER
8
66
CHAPTER
9
74
CHAPTER
10
79
CHAPTER
11
85
DOCTRINE INDEX
101
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PROVERBS CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Wisdom is knowledge tried and tested by experience that has become integral part of the daily life of the person.
Knowledge is something we have, understanding is something that works within us, wisdom is knowledge that has
become such an integral part of us it is who we are deeply within. This book of proverbs before us is exactly what it
claims to be; a book of proverbial sayings that sum up and express in a short and tight format the wisdom of Solomon
and many others.
We are told that Solomon produced many proverbial sayings in his life time. 1 Kings 4:32 records that he delivered 3000
proverbial sayings that were recorded by the scribes, and only a fraction of those find their way into this book. These
sayings were expressions of “wisdom” but the ultimate paradox of the book is that the main author didn’t follow his own
wisdom. 1 Kings 11:1-13.
The ancient Greeks had a saying that is relevant to the life of Solomon. They said, “Call no man happy until he is dead”.
By this they meant that it is only the end of a man’s life that gives the true verdict upon his beliefs, actions and legacy. If
we apply this to Solomon we get the verdict of total and abject failure. This man failed at all points to live as he was
called to, rule as he was called to, and prepare his son and his nation for his death in such a way as to maintain the
integrity of the nation and its security. Within five years of Solomon’s death his nation was torn apart and all the wealth
he had built up was taken into Egypt, and the human cost was several hundred thousand people killed in the resulting
carnage. Solomon had wisdom but lost its value to him as a result of moral failure.
As we enter this book we must remember what happened to Solomon in the latter years of his reign, and remember that
we stand in the same peril that he did and have the same challenge. That challenge was explained by our Lord in
Matthew 6:19-34. Turn to this passage and read it through, and then open the EBCWA Commentary on this passage and
go through it carefully as an introduction to the book of Proverbs.
Solomon received WISDOM as a gift directly from the Lord. 1 Kings 3:7-14. He had also received the instruction of his
father David, and David’s dying words to him were absolutely correct for his role as king. 1 Kings 2:1-4. In both these
King’s passages the order is given to keep the Law of Moses and walk as his father walked, and the promise is given of
long life and prosperity for him and his sons. Solomon will lose these blessings because of his active disobedience to the
Lord.
How is it possible to lose such a blessed place in history? Everything was laid on for Solomon; all he had to do was keep
his MOTIVATION focused upon the Lord, and be OBEDIENT, and practise SUBMISSION of all his desires to the Lord’s
will for him. Sadly Solomon fell into great temptations, for he was surrounded by seriously great opportunities to sin. He
had the most beautiful women around him, he had the greatest wealth surrounding him, and he had the time and
opportunity to fill his cup with sensual/bodily pleasure, and as time went on he did just that. He lived in CARNALITY
rather than SPIRITUALITY as he aged, and died a relatively young man, in his late fifties, of the heart disease that will
always kill those who live carelessly. Refer to the EBCWA Commentary on 1 Kings 11.
Look back again at Matthew chapter six, for in the words of Jesus we see the failure of Solomon explained fully. He
received a gift of special wisdom, and so through the Holy Spirit he was able to express the wisdom of God directly into
situations. This is akin to the spiritual gift of “the word of wisdom” today. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. The key ingredient to the
value of the gift to the person with it is that they WALK IN THE HOLY SPIRIT’s power and guidance to ensure that the
gift truly becomes part of them, not just a tool they use at times.
Solomon did not walk in the ministries of the Holy Spirit consistently; he walked after his own lusts and fulfilled them.
Every time we give in to Carnality we make it stronger within us and the temptation harder to fight the next time. We
addict ourselves to sin, rather than becoming habitually spiritual. It is a daily battle for the mind and body which Solomon
lost as he grew older. Over time Solomon became more and more carnal and less and less spiritual in his life and his
words.
Solomon sinned against the Holy Spirit. He quenched the Holy Spirit’s ministry upon him over time, and died in gross
carnality, caused the destruction of his nation, and set up his house on the skids of carnality to slide down hill until his
last kingly son dies in Babylonian Exile. Refer to the BTB studies below. Jesus words in Matthew Six remind us of the
requirement to walk through this life in THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, and thereby keep our focus clear upon
eternal rewards, not earthly power and wealth.
Solomon’s “eye” was on earthly wealth, pleasure and power, and so he missed eternal reward, even though he was one
of the most Holy Spirit gifted men of his age. It is a reminder to us all that spiritual status does not depend upon, or get
measured by, the number of gifts we have, but upon our serving the Lord with those gifts in the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit’s spiritual power that makes the gifts effective, and makes their rewards eternal. 1 Corinthians 3:1-20.
This passage of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is the second major passage that introduces the book of Proverbs.
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Paul’s words back up the words of Jesus in Matthew 6. Jesus reminds us there that we cannot serve two masters; we
cannot serve earthly wealth, and also godly eternal values. We will either devote ourselves to the false “prosperity
gospel” of pleasure and self centred wealth, or we will devote ourselves to serving God in Spirit and in Truth.
When we devote ourselves to walking one day at a time with the Lord’s Word as our guide, and the Holy Spirit as our
teacher, then we will have everything we need on our journey through this life. If we seek the wealth and power that this
world gives, we may get it, but it will be bitter to the spirit, as Solomon’s wealth was to him. The book of Ecclesiastes
records his frustration with his carnality, but sadly it does not record his repentance and restoration, for he never dealt
with his sinful lusts after pleasure. Refer to the BTB study on BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY.
As you can see already, this book of collected proverbial sayings raises many big spiritual issues. The author failed to
apply the wisdom that God supernaturally gave him. He failed to walk each day in meditation and application of the
words the Lord gave him. Solomon is a warning to us all, that when the Lord gives us a gift of any kind, we are to daily
commit ourselves to walking in the only spiritual power that will unlock the gift and allow us to celebrate it in godly service
and win eternal reward.
God gives great gifts, but they are to be used only in God’s way, or they will be of no earthly or eternal value. Those of us
who have walked with the Lord for forty or more years have seen this truth illustrated in the lives of many apparently wise
men who became fools through carnality. Let us enter this book in fear and trembling! 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, Ephesians
6:5-8, Philippians 2:12-13.
Proverbs will teach us that there are two things that will keep us spiritually safe through this life: two things will assist us
as motivators as we walk through this world. Firstly, an overwhelming desire to bring glory to the Lord will purify our
motives. Secondly, a true godly fear of falling short of the standards of the Lord will keep us on the right spiritual track in
this life. Carnality is a foot step away into evil at all times. We must be alert as we walk through this world; it is not a safe
and secure place for those who walk in their own strength. The test for the true value for all people’s lives is the FRUIT in
their life, not the GIFTS they have from the Lord.
Proverbs calls us to be discerning of other people’s potential impact on our life and work. It is by the fruit of people’s lives
that we know the spiritual status of every man and woman. Matthew 7:13-25. We don’t judge others, but the Lord calls us
and requires us to be “fruit inspectors”, otherwise we will be led astray by fake teachers, prophets, and preachers. We
are called to be discerning and thoughtful, not pious twits. Too many believers cover their stupidity by saying aloud, “We
mustn’t judge others”. They quote Romans 14:4-13, but fail to study it thoroughly. If this is an issue for you, please pause
here and study that passage in the EBCWA Commentary on Romans 14 and then return to the text of Proverbs.
The words of men may be good but if their lives are bad we need to be careful as we study their words. It is in this spirit
that we enter Solomon’s territory. Only a few hundred of his 3000 proverbs entered the scriptures and there was a
reason for that; only these proverbs before us are certified as truly safe and spiritual. They came from a time in his life
when he was on the Lord’s path. These proverbs are the fruit of his walk with the Lord in spirituality. Even though this is
true, let us be careful as we study them, and ensure that we do not simply affirm their truth and move on without godly
and thorough application of them into the fabric of our life.
It was Solomon’s failure to consistently apply all these things into his daily life that cost him his happiness in the end. If
you want to be truly wealthy and thoroughly miserable, just follow Solomon in his later life and walk away from these
truths before us. Read Ecclesiastes at this point, because that book gives you your future mental state if you get side
tracked by the falsehood of the ‘prosperity gospel’ and the carnality that is behind it. Let us be “very scared” of walking in
any way other than the Holy Spirit filled life! Let us now enter this book.
PROVERBS 1:1-33
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the
words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give
subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase
learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the
interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake
not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk
privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go
down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot
among us; let us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their
path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight
of any bird.18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of
every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. 20 Wisdom crieth without; she
uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in
the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners
delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit
unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out
my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I
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also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation,
and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they
call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated
knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my
reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the
turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso
hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 7. “1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to
perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will
increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and
the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Let us start from the last verse of this section and go back to the first. Solomon proves himself a “fool” by the end of his
life on his own principles here, and that is the important point that the men who finally gathered all these proverbs
together are making. They gathered them into their final form probably after the Exiles had returned from Babylonian
Captivity. It is Solomon’s failure through Carnality that led to the destruction of the kingdom within years of his death, and
the same errors of judgement led to the failure of the kingdom itself and resulted in the Babylonian Captivity.
To study these Proverbs is to accept the challenge that Solomon himself received from David and from God; we must
walk as God intended man to walk, or all these points of wisdom will be lost on us. If we hear Solomon and obey the
words we will live safely and have joy on earth and eternal reward, but if we follow his example, we will suffer great
misery and lose eternal rewards.
The words of Wisdom here are not strictly speaking Solomon’s words; they are God’s words to Solomon. As such they
must be taken God’s way and applied in His power, and they must be walked in daily. Notice the verbs used in these first
verses. We are to “know” wisdom and the instruction of God to us as his creatures. We are to take it and apply it into the
fabric of our lives. We must “receive” it as from the Lord, and believe it.
This is a gift of God, and must be received as such. It is not given for self centred purposes, but so that we might be just,
righteous and fair in our dealings with our fellow man. It is to give us discretion so that we are not led astray by immoral
people, by fraudsters, and by liars who seek our destruction while pretending to be our friends. Wisdom is not a neutral
thing, nor is it received in a quiet and safe University; it is a moral thing, and it is received on a battlefield where many
seek our death and the destruction of all we value.
The start of the application process on the pathway to full wisdom is the “fear of the Lord”. Man must begin the journey of
learning by a full and honest acceptance that he is a creature made by the creator. We must start our learning by
accepting our limitations and our many weaknesses inherited as a result of the Fall of Man. We must accept our limited
thinking and our tendency to sin and be self centred. We must stand before God, who made the Universe, and space
and time itself, and have our heads bowed and our mind open to learn. It is said of Socrates that he rejected one young
man as a student because the young man believed he knew too much. This is the greatest danger to learning; a closed
mind is a fool awaiting a predictable disaster. Let us enter this book ready to be corrected at every turn of the page.
Verses 8 – 9. “8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”
Now remember who Solomon’s mother and father were at this point. They were the most famous adulterous and
murderous couple in history; David and Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11-12. They both repented of their evils, and forsook their
sins, but as a result of their great and very public sin, terrible judgement came upon the entire nation. They would later
have given their son good advice, but he fails to heed it, possibly because their sinful and pleasure focused deeds spoke
louder than their later pious words.
The power of a parent’s advice depends solely upon their spiritual status, not upon their biology as parents. Parents may
be fools or wise; only their spiritual walk and the fruit in their life will give the guidance to that. A foolish parent is neither
to be heeded in their words, nor respected in their ways.
Too many believers have been quoted these words without the context of the rest of the scriptures around about and
have followed their parents into the same stupidity that previously disabled them. For all of us who have had evil fathers,
we are excused from following this part of Solomon’s “wisdom”. Let us heed godly advice, and make the Lord as our
heavenly father and follow Him alone. Refer to the BTB study FATHERHOOD OF GOD.
The chains of spiritual status and prosperity are for those who follow godly advice only, not the advice of their foolish
parents. To follow a fool is to be bound the in the chains of ignorance and judgment, and have the consequences of sin
rather than grace ornamenting your head. Solomon will explain this as we go. As we will see, he does not intend people
to follow their parents if they are fools.
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Verses 10 – 14. “10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:”
Many have lived sheltered lives and never had any friend ever suggest such evil things to them, but in many of our
modern cities and in the slums of third world countries this advice is heard by every young man and woman from some
evil friend or neighbour. Gangs are dominant in many places because the Gospel message has been shut out of the
community for many years. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to open the doors of Satan into the communities where
this sort of advice dominates, for it is there that the great transformation of God in the lives of men can occur.
While we were “yet enemies” Christ died for us, so there is no evil that cannot be transformed by the power of the
Gospel. It is a definite act of will that is required to reject evil and sinful acts. We must reject evil or it will seep into our
lives. We must resist the devil or he will gain victory by his war of unremitting attrition. We must resist daily, and if we do
not, we cannot complain about the strength of the temptation overwhelming us; rather we need to accept the
responsibility for failing to give the Holy Spirit the assigned power within us to resist.
We decide who wins the battle for our soul daily by what we do with our time! If we spend all our time with godless
television and godless friends we will rot our soul steadily but systematically, and the day will come when our weakness
will be clear to all. There is no limit to evil if we open the door to it. The theft and murder listed here are just the start of
the lifestyle that Satan promises to all who are fools and walk away from God.
Note the strength of the orders here to ‘RESIST the Devil’! James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:5-9. We are in battle and are to act as
soldiers, not wimpy people on a picnic. We are at war in the ANGELIC CONFLICT, and are required to understand God’s
Wisdom as our “Command Manual” not an academic University curriculum. It is to be applied in the University of Life, not
posted on the wall as a certificate. Refer to the instructions in Ephesians Chapter six. Refer to the BTB study below.
Verses 15 – 19. “15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.”
Definite decision making is required of every person on their journey through this earth, and daily we select our path.
Note the imperatives here. These are commands, and this underlines the viewpoint of this book as a “Command Manual”
for soldiers in the Angelic Conflict, not a syllabus for an academic University. We are to totally reject the path of the
wicked which commit crimes and love sins. We are to reject their paths and their persons and have no part in their ways.
Our social network is to reflect our true morality, or it will create immorality. We must flee from all forms of evil and sin or
its snares will entrap us. 1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:14, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22, James 4:7. Lust for easy money is
always a lust from the source of satanic evil, for only evil produces so called “easy money”. Genesis 3:17-19. Honest
money is made by toil and sweat, but easy money is made by cunning and deceptive business practises. These have
become more common than genuine toil in our world today.
The ENRON fraud and the collapse of the American banking system in 2008 had at its root the satanic evil of lust based
thinking on the part of the majority of the executives involved. It was just the oldest evil of all; it was straight forward lust
for money, power and sex. It is no accident that the ENRON executives had sex parties and strippers to celebrate their
business success, for one satanic evil will always lead to another.
Greed for money always leads to other lusts, for lust never stays alone. Any business that celebrates its successes in a
strip club or topless bar is a business that is following Satan’s Lust based Business Manual. The end of all such
businesses is corruption and destruction of all who tried to get gain from such. Many good people were fooled by these
businesses and many good organisations lost money by investing in them.
What Proverbs will teach us is intelligent business investing, and that involves assessing people and their businesses by
their fruit! No believer ought to be making money from gambling, and the so called “Commodities Market” and the
“Futures Market” are simply gambling under a corrupt and deceptive cover of respectability. I want to nail my colours to
the mast at this point so you can check me out as we go through this book. I believe that by the end of this book you will
agree with me that this is indeed the Lord’s policy. I believe most of our world share markets are now totally and
irredeemably corrupted by lust based philosophy and practises. They are so enmeshed in gambling and insider trading
that ordinary investors are simply dumb lambs heading for a barbeque!
My elderly parents developed dementia five years ago, and I had to take over their financial affairs. Following so called
“financial advisors” (just paid stooges of the corrupt finance companies) they had previously invested in finance
companies that were run by men who were corrupt, but who put out lovely printed brochures each and every year inviting
reinvestment. Seeing the corruption of the people involved in the industry I moved quickly and got all the money away
before the collapse. I got all of my parent’s money out of those corrupt companies and back into sound banks that were
not lending $30-00 for every $1-00 they held like the corrupt American ones!
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As a result of my removing all the money from corrupt companies, I saved my parents money. I operated on biblical
assessment principles regarding each of these finance houses. I looked at the life styles of the men who ran them. I was
obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:16-20, and I was a serious “fruit inspector” of these men’s lives. I didn’t
have to look far and it wasn’t difficult; I just looked into the social pages of the national newspapers. I saw them partying
with the rich and famous, driving expensive cars, buying great mansions, buying lovely million dollar launches, drinking,
drug taking, and fornicating. I didn’t need any further evidence of their corrupt business practises!
Sadly the “American Dream” is flashy living, and all too many foolish American Christians thought that the rich life styles
of the corrupt executives meant such people were blessed of the Lord. The fruit of the ‘prosperity gospel’ was the
collapse of the American business and banking system! Let us be corrected by the Word of God and throw away the
corruption of the so called ‘American dream’, for it was always an evil, and it cost many Christian organisations their
savings. Satan is still mocking all believers who were fooled by ENRON and the “Dot-Com” markets, the Futures
Markets, the Commodity and general Stock Markets. The fool and their money are soon parted! Let us move away from
any repeat of this world wide foolishness and cling to the protection of the Lord’s wisdom.
Verses 20 – 27. “20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words,
saying,
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate
knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and
anguish cometh upon you.”
God cries aloud for all people to hear godly wisdom and not be fooled by evil. The Lord pleads with us through the
ministries of the Holy Spirit. It is up to each person to heed the ministries of the Holy Spirit within rather than the cries of
the corrupt people trying to get you to join them in their wonderful “easy money” schemes. Let us be very clear about
this; the Lord is sarcastic towards those who have been fooled by evil men and women.
Don’t weep, wail and blame your advisors, just humbly accept God’s verdict upon yourself; you were a fool, and that
means you don’t have to stay a “simpleton”. To be “simple” in verse 22 means to be stupid, and the people who were
fooled by the promises of the corrupt bankers and investment advisors were fools. Their lives and values should have
warned believers to avoid them like the plague, but hypocrisy had ruled the West for so long that many were convinced
by it.
I still meet people who think Bill Clinton is a wonderful example of a great Christian Statesman, and that the American
Free Market system is wonderful! The whole edifice was corrupt, and I believe the corruption began when America
accorded “rights” in a way that removed responsibilities. When it became illegal to speak about God and the Word of
God in public in the United States that nation was on the skids.
No American needs to be amazed at what has happened; what has been reaped is what was sowed for so many years
in the liberalism that was allowed to rot the heart out of America. Europe is in even a more perilous state with their
liberalism opening the door to religious extremism in their very heartland cities. Remember, religion is always Satan’s
best weapon to deceive foolish people. When God’s Word is attacked or ignored, immorality is celebrated, and godliness
is lost to a nation, then the door opens to moral and financial chaos.
God’s faithful servants within the United States and Europe had been crying aloud for years about moral decline and the
rejection of the Word of God, but they had been ignored. Newspapers ignored Christian comment and except for a few
so called and defamed “right wing” commentators, none raised their voice against the liberal trends that were opening
the door to chaos. Be very scared as you read the verses here before us. Be especially scared as you read verse twenty
six.
The Lord is mocking America and Europe in their present calamity, and the worst is yet to come as I write these words in
2009. This is hard to read, but it is the plain and simple biblical truth. Don’t be offended with me Christian pastor as you
read these words, read the Word of God and be corrected and repent. Your nations worshiped at the shrine of the false
‘prosperity gospel’ and you followed after lust filled men, and so you have lost all that they promised you that they would
make for you! Stop weeping about it right now, repent of the evil, and get back thoroughly into the biblical standards that
the book of Proverbs will call us to.
Verses 28 – 33. “28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall
not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
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There is a time when it is too late to repent, for the damage done by disobedience is too great. I do not believe we are at
that point in the world economy yet, as I write these words in mid 2009, but we are not far away. Read the BTB study
NATIONAL DIVINE DISCIPLINE. Read through Leviticus 26, and Deuteronomy 28-30 and be very scared, for you are
reading the history of Israel and Judah, but also of America and Europe. Those who do not learn from history are
doomed to repeat it! This is true in nations and in small businesses.
We had an example of this on this very weekend at our lunch table when my oldest daughter shared an experience at a
sale she had been to. My oldest daughter worked for a wonderful fashion accessory store several years ago. Its owner
had a mistress and left his wife for that woman. He placed the mistress in charge of international buying, as that meant
they were able to travel to exciting places to continue their affair. Within five years that woman’s uncontrolled influence
had bankrupted the business, which was having its closing down sale this very weekend. The man was truly a fool, but
all who worked for him suffered for his foolishness also. That is what has happened nationally in Europe and America
over the last year.
The solution to corruption is personal and national REVIVAL, not any reformations within the business world. Reform
does not change the evil heart of corrupt men and women, it simply makes it harder for them to operate, and they
become more skilful at hiding their motivation and corruption. Lust still rules the world of Satan’s kingdom and it is at war
with God’s people, but relax and enjoy it; Satan has always been at war with God! There is nothing new in what we see
today, it is just that we haven’t had such a spectacular collapse before. In the midst of it, Holy Spirit controlled people
have been able to walk safely through the middle of the chaos, and that is God’s plan for each of us.
It doesn’t matter how bad things become, if God’s people walk daily in obedience to His Plan for their life, they will be
guided through the carnage in peace of mind. Let us walk with God, or accept that we will be walking through chaos
alone! Proverbs begins with this “facts of life” summary; man walks with God or with disaster. We select our path daily by
what we choose to do with our time, and who we chose to spend our time with.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
We are soldiers in the ANGELIC CONFLICT not scholars in an ivory tower University! We are required to study
the truth, apply the truth, and be the truth. The instructions of the Lord are not academic suggestions; they are military
orders to be obeyed. The soldier’s duty is to obey daily the orders of their commanding officer, and these proverbs are
our orders, in moral areas, marriage, the family, the home, the business and the nation. Let us read God’s Word as the
instruction manual it is, and be obedient to its clear commands.
2.
Let us be “fruit inspectors” in the business as well as the personal world. Corrupt people will be corrupt in their
morals and their business. Don’t be surprised; be ashamed that you were proved such a fool in the past. You trusted
godless men, and piously said, “I won’t judge them”, because they were making you money in the good times. Resist the
devil’s business logic and walk in godliness. Repent of past foolishness if you have been infected by this disease of
financial lust, and return to walk godly paths.
3.
National Collapse is the fruit of immoral business practises, and immoral business practise is the fruit of
uncontrolled personal lusts. Our task as the Lord’s pastors is to teach the truth to the Lord’s people so that they are
protected from corrupt business practises because they spot them early, but also they are not tempted to follow after
such evil men and women, because they are determined to live for God and stand for the truth of His Word. Let us
preach as we are called to preach!
DOCTRINES
SOLOMON – PLEASURE
1. SCRIPTURE – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes.
2. BIOGRAPHY
Solomon was the youngest son of David and Bathsheba (1 Chronicles 3:5). Educated under Nathan the prophet he was
only looked upon as heir to the throne after the death of Absalom. Solomon was anointed king at the age of 20 in 1015
BC (1 Kings 1:39). David died soon afterwards. Solomon was fabulously rich, the wealth having been accumulated over
many years by David (1 Chronicles 29:2ff.). He was a merchant as well as a monarch (2 Chronicles 8,9). Trading in
many items, his navy, assisted by the Tyrians, expanded his area of commerce. The visit of the Queen of Sheba was
one of the results of his widespread trade (1 Kings 10). Solomon was a great builder, building the Temple at Jerusalem
(1 Kings 6) as well as reinforcing the walls of the city. He also built fortifications across the land. Under Solomon though,
heathen shrines began to be erected. As a result the kingdom was split with ten tribes forming Israel (or Samaria) and
the two tribes remaining as Judah: the split occurring in the time of his sons (1 Kings 11:31-35). He established a harem
on a lavish scale and made great display of his wealth. He continued in areas of worldly philosophy, which is reflected in
his pursuit of pleasure in Ecclesiastes. He was also the author of Song of Solomon (or Canticles) and Proverbs. Solomon
died and was buried at Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:43). In the New Testament the only reference is to the fact that the
humblest work of God as a lily was not equalled by all of Solomon's glory.
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3. EVALUATION
a) Solomon is seen as the author of the book of Ecclesiastes and the king over Israel (Ecclesiastes 1:12).
b) He gives himself over to much study and was able to say that with few exceptions he understood all knowledge of his
time (Ecclesiastes 1:13-17).
c) With increased knowledge came an increased appreciation of discontent (Ecclesiastes 1:18).
d) Solomon tries to find contentment in laughter (Ecclesiastes 2:1-2).
e) He becomes a wine expert (Ecclesiastes 2:3).
f) Solomon built magnificent buildings and grounds (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6).
g) He had many servants and surrounded himself with musicians and singers (Ecclesiastes 2:7,8).
h) Solomon accumulated wealth and possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:9-1 1).
i) He remembered he needed to provide for children who would follow him, but recognised that they might turn out to be
foolish (Ecclesiastes 2:18,19).
j) Solomon recognises God's timing in all things but as time progresses, he rationalises and eventually doubts as to
whether God exists (Ecclesiastes 3).
k) He accumulates riches but this only gives lack of sleep, whilst the labourer sleeps well. Riches cause worry about
losing his wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10-16).
l) Solomon seeks a good reputation rather than being light hearted (Ecclesiastes 7:1-15).
m) He now examines morality as a source of contentment but concludes that a life of "eat, drink and be merry" is all that
you can make of life (Ecclesiastes 8:9-15).
n) Solomon warns of wasting your life in the pursuit of pleasure and that the true source of contentment is application of
the word of God to your life (Ecclesiastes 12).
4. PRINCIPLES
a) Education does not provide pleasure (1 Corinthians 3:18-21; Proverbs 3:7).
b) Comedy and laughter do not bring contentment (Proverbs 14:13).
c) Wine is a mocker (Proverbs 20:1).
d) Great buildings bring no lasting joy (Daniel 4:30,31).
e) Luxury is not a source of happiness (Proverbs 15:17).
f) Music plays on the emotions but the satisfaction it brings is fleeting.
g) Wealth and possessions do not provide security (Proverbs 11:4).
h) You can provide for your children but they can be a great disappointment (Proverbs 17:2).
i) Position and morality is not a source of permanent happiness.
j) Old age can be either a time of great pleasure or the most miserable time of your life.
k) The only source of true pleasure is obeying God and His Word (Psalm 1:2)
WISDOM
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” Psalm 111:10
1. Wisdom is identified as understanding (Proverbs 8:1, 5).
2. Wisdom will speak of things that are right, i.e. just and unbiased (Proverbs 8:6).
3. Wisdom will speak truth and will abstain from wicked or malicious words (Proverbs 8:7).
4. Wisdom results in righteous (just, honest) words and will refrain from perverse or slanderous speech (Proverbs 8:8).
5. Words of wisdom will be heard and understood by those who have understanding and knowledge (Proverbs 8:9).
6. Wisdom will seek after instruction rather than wealth (Proverbs 8:10).
7. Wisdom is better than material gain (Proverbs 8:11).
8. Wisdom is identified with prudence (discretion), it is discerning regarding ‘witty inventions’ (evil plots) (Proverbs 8:12).
9. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10); therefore, to hate evil, pride and arrogance is a sign of
wisdom (Proverbs 8:13).
10. There is strength (mastery) in wisdom (Proverbs 8:14).
11. Wisdom is necessary to leadership (Proverbs 8:15-16).
12. Wisdom will come to those who seek her early in life (Proverbs 8:17).
13. Those things that God considers true riches, i.e. a good name, humility and fear of the LORD are the rewards of
wisdom (Proverbs 8:18-19 cf. Proverbs 22:1, 4).
14. Wisdom is eternal (Proverbs 8:22-23).
15. Wisdom was before the creation; was instrumental in creation and for creations benefit (Proverbs 8:24-35).
16. He that falls short of wisdom does wrong (does violence) to his eternal soul (Proverbs 8:36).
MOTIVATION
1. True motivation is the result of the Holy Spirit's ministry together with the application of bible doctrines and principles.
(Philippians 2:13)
2. Sometimes a good motive is maligned. (Exodus 17:3)
3. Sometimes a wrong motive is turned into good. (Genesis 50:20)
4. The Word of God is the critic of motivation. (Hebrews 4:12)
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5. The issue in giving is not how much you give, but the motivation to give. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
6. False motivation hinders production, in the Christian life. (Philippians 2:14)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – OBEDIENCE
1. Obedience is better than offerings (1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 21:3; 28:9). If we are not in God's will, any "worship"
we offer is unacceptable.
2. Obedience is something you have to learn. The basic training in obedience has to start in childhood. As it says in
(Exodus 20:12 and Deut 5:16) "Honour your father and your mother." (Proverbs 4:3,4; 22:6; 29:15-17; Hebrews 5:8)
3. Teaching your child obedience is an act of love (Proverbs 3:12; 19:18; 23:13-14).
4. We have to obey those who are in authority over us (Exodus 20:12; 22:28; Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 5:16;
Romans 13:1-5; Ephesians 6:1-5; Colossians 3:18-22; Titus 3:1).
5. Those in authority have been put in that position by God (Romans 13:1).
6. Obedience to those in authority is obedience to God (Proverbs 24:21; Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:23-24; Rom 13:5).
7. Disobedience to those in authority is disobedience to God (Romans 1:30; 13:2).
8. But when we are ordered to do something that is against God's Will we have to disobey (Acts 4:19; 5:40-42).
9. The fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) is the only commandment with a promise (Proverbs 10:17;
Ephesians 6:1-3). Social life in a society is only possible when the people in it have learned to obey.
10. If this commandment is ignored, if the authority of the family is denied or not exercised, society will quickly slide into
anarchy (Isaiah 3:12; Proverbs 29:21; 30:21-23; Romans 1:30).
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SUBMISSION
1. This means to humble oneself in willing service to another, with the connotation that it is for your good. Genesis 16:9,
1 Peter 5:6, Hebrews 13:17.
2. We must fully surrender ourselves to God. James 4:7, Romans 12:1-2. As the Lord made himself obedient unto death
so must we. Philippians 2:18.
3. We are, in Christ to submit ourselves each to the other within the church. This involves putting the spiritual needs of
others ahead of any personal interests. Ephesians 5:21.
4. Within the church, believers are to submit to the teaching authority of the pastor as he preaches from the Word.
Hebrews 13:17, 1 Corinthians 16:6, 1 Peter 5:5.
5. A wife is to submit herself to her own husband within their marriage. This involves respect for him as her spiritual
leader and protector. Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:4 -5.
6. Children also are to submit in love to their parents' authority under God. Colossians 3:20.
7. All believers are to be in submission to the laws of their land, unless those laws violate the clear command of God.
Romans 13:1, 2, Matthew 22:21, 1 Peter 2:13-17, exception example, Acts 4:15-20, 5:40-42.
8. Workers are to be under authority of their employers and their managers. Colossians 3:22-25, Ephesians 6:5-8, Titus
2:9, 10, 1 Peter 2:18-24.
9. Those in authority have a special responsibility to treat those under them with care and respect. Colossians 4:1.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SPIRITUALITY-CARNALITY
1. All Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. When we allow Him to control our lives, we are said to be "filled
with the Spirit" or "walking in the Spirit".
2. The filling of the Holy Spirit can be lost by
a) Grieving the Spirit - by sin
b) Quenching the Spirit - by not submitting to His leading
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c) This is called being carnal, or controlled by the flesh, the old sin nature.
3. The filling of the Holy Spirit can be regained by
a) Confessing sin (1 John 1:9)
b) Surrendering your life to God (Romans 12:1-2)
c) This is called being spiritual, or controlled by the Holy Spirit.
4. Only the Holy Spirit in us can produce good works acceptable to God - anything in our own strength is unacceptable
(Romans 8:8-9, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
5. The spiritual believer
a) Imitates God (Ephesians 5:1, 1 John 3:9)
b) To glorify Christ (John 7:39, John 16:14)
c) Fulfils the Law (Romans 8:2-4, Romans 13:8).
6. In the Bible the human race is divided in three Categories:[a] Natural Man - A person born physically alive, but not regenerated. He may be highly sophisticated, civilised, gentle
and kind, but is completely ignorant of any spiritual phenomena. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Equivalent to the cold person in the
church in Laodicea.
[b] Carnal Man - A person regenerated or born again but living his life under the power of his old sin nature. Prolonged
activity in this area produces a Christian who is still a baby. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Equivalent to the lukewarm person in
the church of Laodicea.
[c] Spiritual Man - A person regenerated and living generally in the power of the Holy Spirit. He discerns the difference
between the things of God and man. (1 Corinthians 2:11-13) He has fellowship with God in his daily life. (Ephesians
5:18-20) Equivalent to the hot person in the church of Laodicea.
7. Carnality
[a] The believer possesses an Old Sin Nature after salvation (1John 1:8, Romans 7:14,15).
[b]. The Old Sin Nature is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).
[c]. The believer under the control of the Old Sin Nature is called carnal (1Corinthians 3:1-3, Romans 7:14).
[d]. The Old Sin Nature frustrates bona fide production in the life of the believer (Romans 7:15).
[e]. The Old Sin Nature is acquired at the point of physical birth (Psalm 51:5).
[f]. We are therefore considered spiritually dead at the point of physical birth (Romans 5:12).
[g]. The Old Sin Nature has several facets: areas of weakness produces sins, areas of strength produces human good.
It has trends towards asceticism or lasciviousness. In many cases asceticism is considered to be spirituality.
[h] The Old Sin Nature is not found in the resurrection body.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – WALKING
1. Physical walking is analogous to the faith rest life: step by step. Romans 14:5,6, Ephesians 5:16-18, James 4:13-15.
2. Being regularly filled with the Spirit and feeding on the Word are similar to walking.
3. Attacks on believers occur when they are caught off balance. Romans 13:13.
4. Walking depicts the pattern and function of the believers life in time. Philippians 3:18, Ephesians 4:17.
5. It can also represent a backsliding believer who are said to be walking backwards. Ephesians 4:17.
6. We are all told to:
a) Walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16, 25
b) Walk in the faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7, Colossians 2:6, 4:5
c) Walk in doctrine. 3 John 3.
d) Walk in the truth. 2 John 4
7. Walking is an analogy for spirituality
a) Walk not after the flesh. (Romans 8:4)
b) Walking in Love. (Ephesians 5:2)
c) Walking in newness of Life. (Romans 6:4)
d) Walking worthy of our vocation. (Ephesians 4:1)
e) Walking worthy of the Lord. (Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12)
f) Walking honestly as in the day. (Romans 13:13)
g) Walking in good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
h) Walking in light. (Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 1:7)
i) Walking in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 2:6)
j) Walking circumspectly. (Ephesians 5:15,16)
k) Walking as ye ought. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
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HOLY SPIRIT – FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. We are commanded to allow Him to fill (or fully control) our lives (Eph 5:18).
2. The filling (controlling) of the Spirit can be broken by:
a) Grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) - sin, doing something you shouldn't.
b) Quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) - not doing something you should (like quenching a fire, allowing the
flame to go out).
3. The filling (controlling) of the Spirit can be restored by confession of sin and full surrender to do the will of God (1John
1:9)
4. The Spirit produces the very character of the Christ in the believer: (Galatians 4:19, 5:22, 23, Ephesians 3:16, 17,
Philippians 1:20, 21, 2 Corinthians 3:3)
a) The fruit of the Spirit:
i) Galatians 5:22-23 - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
ii) Romans 14:17 - Righteousness, Peace, Joy.
iii) Colossians 3:12-15 - Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, Love, Peace,
Thankfulness.
iv) 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - Faith, Love, Endurance, Hope.
b) Rejoicing in Christ (Philippians 3:1, 4:4).
c) Loving one another (John 15:12, Romans 12:10, Ephesians 5:2).
d) Striving for the faith (Philippians 1:27, Jude 3).
e) Putting away all sin (1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 12:1).
f) Abstaining from all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
g) Submitting to injuries (1 Corinthians 6:7).
h) Subduing the temper (Ephesians 4:26, James 1:19).
i) Shunning the wicked (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
j) Abounding in the works of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58 1 Thessalonians 4:1).
k) Showing a good example (1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Peter 2:12).
l) Following after that which is good (Philippians 4:8, 1 Timothy 6:11).
m) Perfecting holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Timothy 3:17).
n) Hating defilement (Jude 23).
o) Overcoming the world. (1 John 5:4-5)
p) Adorning the gospel. (Philippians 1:27, Titus 2:10)
q) Forgiving injuries. (Romans 12:20)
r) Living peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14)
s) Visiting the afflicted. (James 1:27)
t) Sympathising with others. (Romans 12:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:14)
u) Honouring others. (Romans 12:10)
v) Submitting to authorities. (Romans 13:1-7)
w) Being content. (Philippians 4:11, Hebrews 13:5)
x) Walking worthy of the Lord. (Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12)
y) Walking in the newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
z) Walking as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)
aa) Glorifies Christ in his body. (Philippians 1:20, 21)
bb) Christ is at home in his body. (Ephesians 3:16,17)
cc) A lifestyle which honours God in the presence of men. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
5. The filling of the Holy Spirit in every believer only occurs in two dispensations:
a) Church age Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:22,23
b) Millennium - Joel 2:28, 29 (characterised by ecstatics)
HOLY SPIRIT – SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. RESISTING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Unbelievers only) (Acts 7:51, John 16:8-11) This is hardening to the convicting
ministry of the Holy Spirit.
2. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (Unbelievers only) (Matthew 12:31) The purpose of the Holy Spirit was to
reveal the person of Jesus Christ. The Pharisees rejected this by claiming He was demon possessed.
3. LYING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (Believers only) (Acts 5:1-3) A sin of false motivation. - Ananias and Sapphira.
4. GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Believers only) (Ephesians 4:30) Any sin which the believer commits.
5. QUENCHING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Believers only) (1 Thessalonians 5:19) A believer who is not allowing the Holy Spirit
to exert His full influence.
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6. UNPARDONABLE SIN (Matthew 12:22-32)
a) Rejection of Jesus Christ as God and Saviour is the only sin which cannot be forgiven. This unbelief is shown in
Matthew 12:24, denying the person and power of Jesus.
b) It is impossible for a believer to commit the unpardonable sin. (Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 44:22, 1 John 1:7)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY
1. Definition - falling from the standard of living that the Lord calls us to and living at a lower level of belief, behaviour,
and emotion. Living in a state of embarrassment at the gospel, thinking as an unbeliever would.
2. The Lord knows who are his, we don't. 2 Timothy 2:19. A backslider is out of fellowship, and may resemble an
unbeliever in every way yet still be saved. They are like the prodigal son. Luke 15:3ff. These people are different
(although they appear to be the same) to religious unbelievers. 2 Peter 2:1 -22, Jude 4 -13, 18, 19, 22.
3. The Lord desires these people to be restored. Matthew 18:12 -14, Luke 15:3 -32. In the Old Testament this message
is also clear. Hosea 4:14-19, 11:7, 8, 14:1-4, Jeremiah 2:19, 3:6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 22, 5:6, 8:5, 14:7,Jeremiah 31:22, 49:4.
4. Believers who are "offended' at the Word have failed to grow spiritually John 6:61 -63, Matthew 11:6, 1 Corinthians 10:
13, Matthew 13:21, Mark 4:17, John 16:1, Matthew 24:9, 10.
5. The disciples all were offended at the Lord at his death. Matthew 26:31, 33-35, cf. 67-75.
6. Falling from grace is another way of expressing backsliding. Colossians 1:23, Galatians 5:4, 2 Peter 3:17. It means to
fall from a place where you stand for grace and adopt an inferior way of living the Christian way of life, like legalism.
7. God disciplines the backslider, but their eternal security is secure. Hebrews 12:5 -13, 16, 17, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1
Peter 1:4, 5, 2 Timothy 2:11- 13, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13.
8. The Lord is able to keep us from falling, although we can walk away from his provision by following our pride rather
than his truth. Jude 24. 1 Corinthians 10:11 -14, 1 Timothy 3:6, 7.
9. At the end of the church age the Lord prophesied that there would be a time of almost total backsliding on the part of
the organised church.2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1- 6, 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.
10. The Lord warns all backsliders very directly in Revelation 2:5. No fruit for too long = sin unto death! John 15:1-5.
11. Backsliding and Recovery
Seven Steps Downwards
a) Trifling with Sin Romans 13:14
b) Yielding to Sin Romans 6:13
c) Habitually Serving Sin 2 Peter 2:8
d) Abandoning Ourselves to Sin Ephesians 4:19
e) Being Abandoned by God to Sin Romans 1:24,26,28
f) Encouraging Others to Sin Romans 1:32
g) Experiencing Hell on Earth James 3:6, 1 Timothy 5:6
Seven Steps Upwards
a) Resisting Sin in our Attitudes James 4:7
b) Overcoming Sin by Faith in Christ Galatians 5:16
c) Habitually being Victorious over Sin Romans 6:14, 1 John 5:4-5
d) Entering into the Secret of a Victorious Life Hid with Christ in God Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Colossians 3:1-3
e) Being Taken by God into Deeper Fellowship 1 Timothy 1:12, 1 Corinthians 4:2
f) Delivering Others from Sin. Jude 22-23
g) Experiencing Heaven on Earth Jude 24-25, Philippians 4:6-7
CHRISTIAN LIFE – FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
1. The filling of the Holy Spirit produces fruit in the life (love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance). (Galatians 5:22-23) Note that "fruit" is singular - all the characters are produced at the same
time in the filling of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Fruit of the Spirit is also listed as follows:Romans 14:17 - Righteousness, Peace, Joy
Colossians 3:12-15 - Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, Love, Peace, Thankfulness
1Thessalonians 1:3 - Faith, Love, Endurance, Hope
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3. In principle, it is the imitation of God (Ephesians 5:1). The reason we are left on the earth after salvation is to produce
fruit. (John 15:16, Philippians 4:17)
4. We produce fruit by hearing the word (Mark 4:20-28) and applying it to our lives. (Hebrews 4:2)
5. Failure to grow and produce fruit means divine discipline even to the point of the believer's early departure from this
life. (Luke 13:6-9 John 15:2)
6. Rewards in eternity are distributed on the basis of faithful production. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
7. Fruit is not to be confused with spiritual gifts. These are listed in (Romans 12:6-8; 15:18-19; 1Corinthians 12:8,10;
1Corinthians 12:28-30; Ephesians 4:1) and other places.
8. One can know Christians by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-45; 1John 3:10 & 11; John 15:8) especially by their
love (John 13:35) but not by their gifts, as Satan can imitate them (2Thessalonians 2:9).
9. Three natural fruits represent some of the facets of the fruit of the Spirit: Apples - love, Grapes - Joy, Pomegranates Peace.
10. In Galatians 5: 22-23 the fruit of the Spirit is divided into three sections
[a] Love, Joy and Peace towards God;
[b] Patience, Goodness and Kindness towards others;
[c] Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control towards oneself.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MENTAL ATTITUDE
1. Definition: Attitude or Mental attitude is the state of mind where the mind is set on a course of action on the basis of
the whole function and thinking of the soul.
2. Every believer faces the inner conflict of divine versus human viewpoint. These two attitudes are at war in humanity in
human history from the time of the fall. (Isaiah 55:7-9)
3. We are commanded to have divine viewpoint in our souls not the viewpoint of Satan (worldliness). 2 Corinthians 1:7,
10:5. (Via Doctrine in the Soul)
4. Attitude determines both the life and character of a person - what you think is what you are (Proverbs 23:7)
5. As Christians we are commanded to have our thinking in tune with the mind of Christ. Gods plan for our lives calls for
a new attitude in our souls, a new viewpoint, without any human viewpoint or mental attitude sin (1Corinthians 2:16, 2
Corinthians 10:4-5 Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, 2 Timothy 1:7)
6. Fellowship within a church is based on believers all being in tune with what the Bible teaches. Philippians 2:2.
7. Knowledge of the Bible (the mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:16) and control by the Holy Spirit renews the mind of the
believer, giving divine viewpoint. (Romans 12:2)
8. The right mental attitude produces joy (Philippians 2:2), confidence (2 Corinthians 5:1,6,8), stability (Isaiah 26:3-4,
Philippians 4:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:2), true giving (2 Corinthians 9:7), love (1 Corinthians 13:5)
9. Human viewpoint is called worldliness. (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:2)
10. Evil is what you think as you are following Satan’s policy. Matthew 9:4, Galatians 6:3. Mental attitude sins produce
self induced misery. (Proverbs 15:13)
11. Without clear thinking there is conflict in the mind of the believer. Isaiah 55:6-9, James 1:7-8.
12. True stability of Character comes only this way. Philippians 4:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:2.
13. Giving is a mental attitude. 2 Corinthians 9:7. Love is a mental attitude. 1 Corinthians 13: Deuteronomy 6:5,10:12.
14. Worldliness is a mental attitude: It is all non-grace thinking i.e. Anti Gods Plan, Colossians 3:2.
15. Confidence in service and living generally flows from having "Divine Viewpoint" which has other advantages such as
[a] Stability in life - James 1:8
[b] Prosperity of soul - Philippians 4:7
[c] Giving to the Lord - 2 Corinthians 9:7
[d] Spiritual rather than worldly - Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:2
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[e] Purity rather than evil - Matthew 9:4
[f] No arrogance - Galatians 6:1-5.
[g] Inner beauty - 1 Timothy 2:9,10,15.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – THINKING BIBLICALLY
1. We must think with Holy Spirit filled discernment. Refer SPIRITUALITY.
2. Our discernment is determined by the amount of God’s Word we have read, understood and applied into our lives.
Colossians 1:9-11. Refer EBCWA CD or website for detailed study Colossians 1.
3. Our human IQ is of no significance in thinking biblically, for the Holy Spirit will teach us as we seek to learn and are
obedient to what we learn. 1 Corinthians 1:19- 2:16. Refer EBCWA CD or website for detailed study of 1 Corinthians 1.
4. To think biblically we must apply what we know. James 1:21-25. Refer EBCWA CD or website for detailed study of
James 1. There is no such thing as knowledge that remains unapplied, for such “knowledge” is simply self deception.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SOLDIER: CHRISTIAN SOLDIER IN EPHESIANS 6
1. General Scripture Ephesians 6:11-17.
This passage relates to the armour which the Roman soldier wore and analogises its use into the spiritual realm.
2. USE OF THE ARMOUR Ephesians 6:11
"Put on the whole armour of God." Ephesians 6:11a. We are instructed to "put on" (ENDUO Gk) - this means "to
clothe" - it is a command by God to the Christian soldier. We are to "clothe ourselves" or to "dress ourselves". "Whole
armour" (PANOPLIA Gk) - the complete armour "of God" (THEOS Gk) true source of the armour is God.
The whole armour of God is given in Ephesians 6:14-17. It comprises:a) The Belt of Truth Ephesians 6:14a
b) Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14b
c) Boots Ephesians 6:15
d) Shield Ephesians 6:16
e) Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 6:17a
f) Sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17b
PRINCIPLES:
i) The Roman soldier wore all his armour for his own safety and protection.
ii) When the Roman soldier was highly disciplined he ruled the world.
iii) When the Roman soldier became degenerate the Empire declined and fell.
iv) The Roman soldier was in the army 7 days a week.
3. SPIRITUAL ANALOGY
a) As Christian soldiers we wear our armour for our own safety and protection.
b) When we are highly disciplined in the Christian life we are very effective in our warfare.
c) If we become degenerate or apostate our Christian witness and effectiveness declines and we become casualties in
the spiritual warfare.
d) The Christian soldier is in the battle 7 days a week. A part time soldier never amounts to an effective soldier.
“That ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 b.
"to stand" (histemi (Gk) - to hold your ground. We are in a spiritual warfare and the purpose of the armour is to hold our
ground against the foe. "the wiles (methodeia dia Gk) - tactics, cunning or fraud" "of the devil” (diabolos Gk).
We therefore have the whole armour of God to enable us to stand firm against the devil's tactics.
PRINCIPLE: By learning the tactics likely to be employed by your opponent the Christian soldier is able to go on the
offensive using the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. (verse l7).
4. THE ENEMY (Ephesians 6:12)
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. "
"Wrestle" - "the wrestling" (he pale estin Gk) hand to hand combat not wrestling as a sport. "not against flesh and blood"
– not against other members of the human race, but against:a) PRINCIPALITIES (arche Gk) Ruling demons.
b) POWERS (exousia Gk) - Demons with authority, officers in the demon army.
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c) RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD (kosmokrator Gk) - world rulers, demons close to the seats of
government such as the demons of (Daniel 10:13, 20).
d) SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES (pneu matikos poneria Gk) - the demon army.
Quite clearly our fight is against a spiritual foe. From Hebrews 2:7 we know that as human beings we are inferior to
angels. Therefore in order to have success against superior forces we must have God's armour.
5. BE PREPARED (Ephesians 6:13)
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all,
to stand. "
Since the resurrection ascension and session of Jesus Christ the attack of Satan has moved from the line of Christ to the
individual believer. Our dependence on the whole armour is imperative yet many believers reject part or all of the armour.
There are many casualties as a consequence.
We are again exhorted to put on the whole armour of God.
6. THE BELT OF TRUTH (Ephesians 6:14a, Isaiah 11:5)
"Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth.”
The Roman belt was a wide girdle of leather worn around the waist from which hung the scabbard for the sword and
loops for rations and equipment. The leather belt was supported by a cross shoulder strap studded with metal plates with
thick leather strips hanging down to protect the lower body. The belt therefore was the basic armour on which the
defence of the soldier was based.
PRINCIPLE: Our basic defence is the truth contained within the Word of God. The sword of the Spirit hangs securely to
the believer by means of the promises contained within it. The greater our trust in the truth of God the greater our
protection against the enemy.
7. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Ephesians 6:14b, Isaiah 59:17)
"and having on the breastplate of righteousness."
The breastplate (thorax Gk) was usually made of leather overlaid with metal strips. Shaped like a sleeveless coat it was
in the higher ranks often covered with gold or silver. The belt held the breastplate firmly in place, its primary function
being to protect every vital area of the soldier's body.
PRINCIPLE: The righteousness of Christ protects us. We stand in his righteousness alone. He gave us his righteousness
at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our continued protection through his righteousness is through the filling of the Holy
Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) (See topic Holy Spirit: Filling of the Spirit).
8. THE BOOTS (Ephesians 6:15, Isaiah 52:7)
"And your feet shod, with the preparation of the gospel of peace".
The boots (caligae Gk) were made of hobnail studded leather soles 15mm (1/2") thick secured with a leather tie over the
instep and round the ankles. Good footwear is essential for the soldier with infantry still being essential even in these
days of sophisticated armaments.
PRINCIPLE: In spiritual terms the feet are often analogised to service. The feet take one towards the enemy. The gospel
of peace is a direct attack on the enemy. Peace in this context talks of reconciliation between God and man. (Romans
1:1 4-16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
9. THE SHIELD OF FAITH (Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4)
"Above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of' the wicked."
The Roman shield (thureos Gk) was shaped like a door being made of glued planks wrapped in canvas or calf skin, the
top and bottom edges being protected by iron. The shield was the most active of the defensive armour carried by the
Roman soldier. Loss of shield often meant death to the soldier.
PRINCIPLE: The Christian soldier's shield is walking actively in the promises and principles set out in the Word of God. If
we do not use our faith we can become spiritual casualties. Using the shield of faith we can claim -the 7,000 promises for
the Christian walk including Isaiah 41:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 4:4.
10. THE HELMET OF SALVATION (Ephesians 6:17a; Isaiah 59:17)
"And take the Helmet of salvation.”
With the exception of the standard bearer who wore a wolf's head, every Roman soldier wore a metal helmet (perik Gk)
usually of bronze over an iron skull cap. This protected the most important part of the soldier - his head.
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PRINCIPLE: Before a person can be a soldier for Christ, he has to be born again. He has to wear the helmet of salvation.
One of the wiles of the devil is to make the believer feel that he has lost his salvation. If a believer loses his assurance of
salvation he takes his helmet of salvation off and is totally vulnerable to the attack of the foe.
11. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (Ephesians 6:17b), "and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
The sword referred to is the machaira or Roman short sword. The sword represents the basic offensive weapon for close
combat. It was only effective when out of its sheath.
PRINCIPLE: The sword in its sheath is potentially devastating but it is only effective when it is used to combat and defeat
the enemy. We must therefore conquer using principles, promises and doctrines from the Word of God.
GOD – FATHERHOOD OF GOD
Fatherhood comes in various concepts:1. The Fatherhood over creation - Ephesians 3:14-15 - all beings have their origin in God. We get our life and very
existence from God. There is therefore a brotherhood in the creation. The liberals however take this a step further and
talk about the brotherhood of man and the universal Fatherhood of God which is a lie which is exposed by the Lord
Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said that all men are not brothers but only become such in Christ. Even Satan was given his
life by God. There is no relationship in the Father creatorship combination.
2. Fatherhood by intimate relationship which is the concept of the relationship between God and Israel. In Exodus 4:22
Israel is my son - this is my firstborn. This is more than God saying that He is their creator but it is less than saying that
they are regenerated. In the New Testament it says that all Israel is not Israel. There is however a relationship between
the Father and Israel, a care for Israel. He preserves the nation. In the Bible the word father is used a large number of
times in relation to the relationship between God and Israel. However only a few Jews were regenerated.
3. A specific relationship between the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - Ephesians 1:3. The first specific revelation of
the New Testament is that God the Father is the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. It also shows without any doubt the deity
of the Lord Jesus Christ by His attributes and His works. The words father and son are used in the New Testament to
show the intimacy of the relationship between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ with out fulfilling all the
relationships which would be true of a human relationship of Father and Son. This was the error of the Arian theologians
who said that he was a son of God but not equal with God.
4. The second person has been the Son from eternity past. For eternity there has been this close relationship between
the Father and the Son. In Isaiah 9:6 it shows that a child is born but a son is given. The baby was born but the Son was
given as the Son had existed forever. What they are saying is that you think of the most noble father and the best
possible son and the love between those two and you get a small glimpse of the relationship between the Father and the
Son.
5. The Father of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6-7)
a) Only in Christ do we become brothers. (Galatians 3:27-29) This is the result of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into the
body of Christ and makes us a new creation in Him. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5)
b) God is not the spiritual father of the unregenerate man, they are His creation but not His children. (John 14:6) Before
salvation we were sons of our sinful nature. (John 8:42-47, Ephesians 2:19)
6. In summary therefore
[a] The Son of God is said to have been begotten of the Father - Psalm 2:7, John 1:14, 18, 3:16,18 1 John 4:9
[b] The Father acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ as His Son - Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Luke 9:35
[c] The Father is acknowledged by the Son - Matthew 11:27, 26:63-64, Luke 22:29, John 8:16-29, 33-44, 17:1 The Son is
subject to the Father's plan but it should be remembered that the plan had been a joint plan when it was conceived with
its recognition of role and responsibility.
[d] The fact that God the Father is acknowledged by men to be the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ - Matthew 16:16,
Mark 15:39, John 1:34, 49, Acts 3:13
[e] The Son acknowledges the Father by being subject to Him - John 8:29,49
[f] Even the demons recognise this relationship between the Father and the Son - Matthew 8:29 Satan's eternal
damnation relies on this relationship and its permanency
7. Before salvation all members of the human race were "sold under sin", we were strangers before God, not sons.
Romans 7:14, Ephesians 2:19. Spiritually we were dead, we had no relationship with God other than creatures to the
creator we did not recognise Ephesians 2:1
8. Before salvation we were all of different races, the only brotherhood we can ever have is in Christ. Galatians 3:27-29.
9. Salvation alone makes us children of God. Before we were slaves of sin, sons of our old sin nature, children of
rebellion. Ephesians 2:19, John 8:42-47, 1John 3:10-15.
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10. Only God can make us his children, for only God has that power. John 1:12,13. We are either 'born-again', born from
above or we remain spiritually dead, children of Satan, John 3:3,6,36.
11. Unbelievers cannot and will not see this unique relationship. 1John 3:1, 1 Corinthians 1:18. As sons of rebellion they
believe their father’s lie i.e. the universal fatherhood of God and universal brotherhood of man (both of which are false
concepts). John 8:44. This lie perpetrates the idea that God is a “soft-touch” and will not judge man for their sin, but all
will be well in the end. This is declared false by God in his word.
12. Believers sonship guarantees heirship, eternal life and fellowship for them. 1 John 3:2,3, Romans 8:16-18.
13. The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment on the believer’s inheritance - the assurance of more to come, Ephesians
1:14.
14. Believers are heirs of eternal life through relationship with God in Christ John 8:35, 51.
a) receiving rewards: Colossians 3:24,25, 2 John 8, 1 Corinthians 3:8 and,
b) receiving a resurrection body. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.
15. The source of our confidence is based in the Lords resurrection. He is therefore our "lively hope", 1 Peter 1:3-5. He
can be depended upon to meet all needs for we will be with him forever. John 14:1-4.
ANGELS – ANGELIC CONFLICT
1. There is an angelic conflict and it is intimately related to our presence in this world.
2. ETERNITY PAST
[a] Initially God created angels. At creation we are told that there was unity as all the angels sang in unison.
[b] Satan as Lucifer with the title Son of the Morning was the head of the angels. Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28:12-15
[c] It is noted that the Lord Jesus Christ is now called Son of the Morning in 2 Peter 1 showing that the Lord replaced
Satan as a result of His victory at the Cross.
3. FALL OF SATAN
[a] Satan became proud and attempted a coup d’etat against God in Isaiah 14:12-17
[b] When Satan fell he took one third of the angels with him. Revelation 12:9.
[c] The angels who exist forever therefore fall into two permanent groups:
(i) Elect Angels who remained faithful to God (1 Timothy 5:21)
(ii) Fallen angels who chose to follow Satan fall into two categories:
(1) Imprisoned ones who were made inoperative at the time of the Flood (Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4)
(2) Demons who are currently operative (1 Corinthians 10:20,21, Mark 5:1-20)
[d] There is therefore a spiritual warfare between elect and fallen angels, which affects the human race. (Ephesians,
6:12, Revelation 12)
4. SENTENCE ON THE FALLEN ANGELS
[a] In eternity past Satan and the fallen angels were judged and sentenced to the Lake of Fire - Matthew 24;51
[b] It would appear that Satan appealed against his sentence and said "how can a God of Love sentence any of his
creatures to the lake of fire?"
[c] The answer is in the character of God who is HOLY as well as LOVE. His holiness can only judge sin and rebellion.
[d] The lake of fire therefore was not created for man. Man ends up in the lake of fire due to his own negative attitude
towards God.
5. MAN’S ROLE IN THE ANGELIC CONFLICT
[a] This sentence which was given before man existed has not yet executed and will not be so until the end of the
Millennium in Revelation 20:10.
[b] There must be a long lapse of time before the sentence is executed with this period being taken up with the whole of
human history. Therefore the purpose of the existence of the human race and its relation to God can only be explained
as a testimony to the angels.
[c] Through the creation of man God provides a clear legal witness to Satan and his angels of their sin. The whole of
human history is to prove certain points to the angels. Things can happen in your life as a believer in the Lord Jesus
Christ and these can only be explained as a testimony to the angels.
6. FALL OF MAN AND VICTORY OF THE GOD MAN
[a] Man starts off lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:9 tells us that Jesus Christ made Himself a little lower than the
angels.
[b] Although Adam failed to be victorious the Lord Jesus Christ replaces Adam in history and won the battle in His
humanity. 1 Corinthians 15:22 tells us that in Adam all die, in Christ shall all be made alive.
[c] A new form of creature judges come into existence and will judge the angels 1 Corinthians 6:1-3
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7. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ANGELS AND MAN
[a] Angels and mankind have a number of parallels with human free will being tested in exactly the same way as angelic
free will.
[b] Angels began in innocence and full obedience to God (Job 38:7 Ezekiel 28:14-15)
Man began in innocence (Genesis 2:25)
Angels sinned - rebellion of Satan (Isaiah 14:12-14)
Man sinned - rebellion of Adam (Genesis 3:1-7)
Angels are divided into two categories - elect or fallen.
Man is divided into two categories - believers and unbelievers. (John 3:36)
8. ADAM AND FREEWILL
[a] God created Adam and Eve, to show Satan that mankind, created lower than angels (Hebrews 2:6-7), would choose
to obey God. Mankind therefore, by a choice of freewill, would decide whether to obey God and be blessed, or to disobey
God and be judged (the same choice that Satan had).
[b] A test was instituted for man's freewill - obedience to God or disobedience. (Genesis 2:16-17). Adam - and therefore
all mankind - sinned and thereby rebelled against God. All of mankind, therefore, is in the same condition of sinful
rebellion as Satan.
[c] However, God instituted another test of freewill for mankind - will they choose to return to God through Jesus Christ,
or will they choose to continue in sin and rebellion (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9).
[d] Anyone who chooses to return to God will be saved; anyone who chooses to remain in rebellion to God will be judged
in the lake of fire, the same fate as Satan (Matthew 25:41)
[e] Therefore, by the work of Christ on the cross, and man's freewill faith in Christ, God has vindicated His love to save
and His justice to judge.
9. RESOLUTION OF THE ANGELIC CONFLICT
Stage 1 - Salvation - by faith, man is saved and made positionally superior to angels (Hebrews 2:6-7)
Stage 2 - Christian Walk - by faith, the believer overcomes Satan (Ephesians 6:10-17)
Stage 3 - Eternity -in Christ, the believer will judge Satan and his fallen angels (Hebrews 2:8, 1 Corinthians 6:3)
10. THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES
Angels watch the human race. (1 Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:21, 1 Peter 1:12) Elect angels rejoice
every time someone is saved (Luke 15:10)
11. THREE BASIC QUESTIONS
The angelic conflict answers three basic questions:[a] Why man? Inside man is a soul with mentality and freewill which when linked together resolves the angelic conflict,
(Colossians 2:14-15, Hebrews 2). The cross is the real victory in the angelic conflict.
[b] Why sin? Sin resolves stage 1 of the plan of God (see paragraph 9). At the cross sin was judged and the barrier
between man and God was removed so that man's relationship with God depends on his free will. Every time a person
accepts Christ, elect angels rejoice. In the garden man was innocent and all he had to do was stay away from one tree.
Now man is guilty he has to come to a tree (the cross). (Genesis 2:17, 1 Peter 2:24).
[c] Why suffering? Suffering resolves the issue in Stage 2. Suffering involves the promise principle. (1 Peter 1:7-8,
Romans 5:2-4). Suffering is designed for blessing and is a further blow to Satan. It is to demonstrate the love of God in a
way that cannot be done in eternity as in eternity there is no more sorrow, pain or death. (Revelation 21:4)
12. STAGES IN THE CONFLICT [SEE SATANIC ATTACK ON THE PLAN OF GOD]
[a] From the fall of man to the ascension of Christ the line of Christ and Jesus Christ himself were the target of attack.
Once the ascension was a fact in history Satan was unable to attack the line of the Saviour.
[b] The resurrection, ascension and session of the Lord Jesus Christ caused intensification in the angelic conflict.
[c] Once Christ is glorified at the right hand of the Father the angelic conflict becomes intensified in the Church age.
[d] Every Church Age believer is now a target and because of this every believer has had special provisions made for
him:
(i) Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:17)
(ii) Indwelling of Jesus Christ (John 14:23)
(iii) Completed canon of Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:10)
13. PROGRESSION TO THE LAKE OF FIRE
This explains the actions of the Lord Jesus Christ from the time he sat down at the right hand of the Father until the Last
Judgement. Psalm 110:1 says “The Lord [God the Father] said to my Lord [God the Son], Sit thou at my right hand until I
make thine enemies thy footstool.”
[a] The first stage – Insurgency warfare – Pentecost - Rapture
During this time He calls out the personnel who will replace the angelic council members who have been condemned 1
Corinthians 4:8, 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21
The angelic council comprises God and all the angels as seen in 1 Kings 22:19-23 and 2 Chronicles 18:18-23
[b] The second Stage – Rapture to Second Advent - Confrontation
During this time the new members of the angelic council are evaluated in relation to their divine and human good,
rewarded [1 Corinthians 3:11-15], they lose their old sin nature and have a resurrection body. The rebellious members,
Satan and his followers are cast out of heaven Revelation 12:4
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[c] The third stage – Second Advent – Victory Stage
Christ casts Satan and the fallen angels into hell for a thousand years and rightfully asserts His authority.
[d] The fourth stage – The Last Judgement. The Lake of Fire was created for Satan and his angels Matthew 25:41
Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire with the demons and the unbelievers. Unbelievers join them in the Lake of Fire
because they have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The old creation is destroyed and a new heavens
and a new earth provided by God. At that point all knees shall bow and the promise of making His enemies His footstool
will have been fulfilled.
14. THE BELIEVERS AND RESULT OF THE ANGELIC CONFLICT
The result of the angelic conflict:
Stage 1 - Salvation - saved mankind is positionally superior to angels;
Stage 2 - Christian Walk - through suffering the believer develops his faith towards Christ to such an extent that he
thereby shows the fallen angels the certainty of their doom;
Stage 3 - Heaven - In eternity the believer in his resurrection body will be physically superior to angels.
15. CONCLUSION
Through the fall of man Satan obtained control of the world though not necessarily control of mankind.
What makes it possible for man to live in the Devil's world and not be under his control? - Free will.
By using The Word of God you can make decisions that are completely against Satan and his concepts.
Satan is the ruler of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, Ephesians 2:2)
However we have the Bible - the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) We should know it and use it.
ISRAEL – NATIONAL DIVINE DISCIPLINE
1. Leviticus 26 states the five cycles of discipline
If the people in the nation do not want to do things in God’s way God will hit them in five cycles of increasing discipline
until He completely destroys the nation.
2. First cycle - v 14-17 - sickness, depression, economic problems, people losing their strength of character, lack of
power in the nation.
3. Second cycle - v 18-20 - this is an intensified form of the first cycle with recession turning into depression, they
become even less enthusiastic.
4. Third cycle - v 21-22 - the situation further intensifies, psychological problems in the nation multiply, people behave
like animals, the wild animals are prowling on the streets both physically and symbolically. It was not safe to go out.
Here you have a breakdown in a nation with psychiatric problems and criminal problems.
5. Fourth cycle - v 23 - 26 - this is the invasion of your land with defeat with all the things that go with it, with food
rationing, with privation.
6. Fifth cycle - v 27-39 - this shows nation collapse and the removal of the nation from the land.
7. The parallel passage in Deuteronomy 28 indicates that God deals with the nation that rejects his Word in a systematic
way.
HOLY SPIRIT – MINISTRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not indwell all believers, since Christ was not yet glorified (John 7:39).
Instead, He only came upon some Old Testament saints to perform special functions.
a) JOSEPH, a believer who was a prime minister. (Genesis 41:38)
b) Believers who were artisans occupied in the construction of the Tabernacle. (Exodus 28:3, 31:3)
c) Believers involved in administration. (Numbers 11:17, 25)
d) A believer who was both a political and military leader - JOSHUA (Numbers 27:18)
e) Certain Judges: OTHNIEL (Judges 3:9, 10) GIDEON (Judges 6:34) JEPHTHAH (Judges 11:29) SAMSON (Judges
13:24, 25, 14:5-6, 15:14)
f) Kings of Israel (1 Samuel 10:9, 10, 16:13)
g) DANIEL (Daniel 4:8, 5:11, 6:3)
h) Post exilic rulers (Zechariah 4:3, 12-14)
2. Believers in Israel could be disciplined by the removal of the Spirit:
a) SAUL (1 Samuel 16:14)
b) DAVID (Psalm 51:11)
3. A believer could obtain the Holy Spirit by request, but not as an indwelling presence. (2 Kings 2:9, 10, Luke 11:13)
4. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit without request to the disciples just before the ascension. Purpose: To sustain them for the
ten day interim before the Church Age would begin. (John 20:22)
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CHAPTER 2
INTRODUCTION
This is the second introductory discussion to the book. In it the writer urges the reader, or listener, to really dedicate
themselves to the words of biblical wisdom because the seductive words of evil will be very powerful. The nature of the
battle for the mind of mankind is spelt out; it is personal and the enemy is very active. The forces of the enemy will be
constant attackers of the man or woman of God. The good person needs to be “driven” in their desire for wisdom,
because the enemy will be very persistent and persuasive.
The consequences of making the wrong choices about this matter are potentially fatal in this life, and have eternal results
both ways. There are only the two alternatives in this life. We are either moving forward in biblical wisdom, or sliding
backwards into evil and sin. Those who stay on the path of wisdom may have great pressure there, but they will be
blessed by the Lord, but those who go off the paths of wisdom and follow after the paths of evil will be destroyed utterly
from the face of the earth. Refer back to the BTB studies on the ANGELIC CONFLICT, JUDGEMENT – GREAT WHITE
THRONE, BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY, MENTAL ATTITUDE, and MATURITY. 2 Peter 3:18.
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“1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear
unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy
voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt
thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his
mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to
them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt
thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. 10 When wisdom entereth into
thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall
keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who
leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the
frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from
the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her
youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the
dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk
in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the
perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted
out of it.”
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 8. “1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.”
The word “if” is an important one in the scriptures. It is a small word with big implications that remind us of our FREE
WILL. If we will do what is right we will be safe and blessed, but if we do what is wrong we will be destroyed from the
face of the earth. Our daily choices set up our eternal destiny. The writer wants his sons to see the facts about the
choices we make in this life.
The author here may be Solomon himself, or it may be a revision by the scribal leaders after the Exile. The first chapters
of the book are clearly traceable back to Solomon, but later chapters and sections are just as clearly additions. The final
form of the book is probably given by Ezra or one of the prophets associated with the return of the Exiles form Babylon.
They could look back at all of Israel’s history and see the disastrous results of disobedience and lack of fervour for the
Word of the Lord. They understood the power of that little word “IF”.
To survive the testing situations that come on the journey through life, and face and defeat the serious temptations that
can come along the way, we need to be “hot” for the truth. Being lukewarm for the truth will not keep us safe on our
journey, because the battle is just too strong for anything other than real fervent commitment to the truth. The Apostle
Paul understood this only to well and urges Timothy to “Be Strong”, and to “Stir up the flame of fire within” him. 2 Timothy
1:6-7, 2:1ff. To win in the Angelic Conflict we have to throw ourselves into spiritual warfare in the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Every day we need our spiritual armour on and we need to walk powerfully before our God. This is WALKING in the
FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ARMOUR OF THE BELIEVER.
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To walk powerfully we need to feed our spiritual life with regular spiritual food from God’s Holy Word. That involves
“inclining the ear”; in other words, putting ourselves in the place where learning can occur because the Word is being
taught there. Just hearing the Word of God isn’t enough; we need to open our heart to believe it and allow the Holy Spirit
to change our heart and mind. We must be ready to allow every thought to be “captured” by the Holy Spirit and
“conformed” to the Lord’s way of thinking. Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:3-7.
It is literally a battle as to which power will control and re-educate our mind. We must daily throw ourselves into the battle
by feeding on the Word of God and hungrily applying it into the very fabric of our behaviours each opportunity that comes
along. The person described in verses 3-4 is one that is absolutely determined to learn everything from the Lord that can
be learned and applied. It is total commitment that is described here; a fire of passion that burns to learn and apply more
of the Lord’s Word every day. It is this level of passion for spiritual growth that keeps a person safe; anything less than
this will make you a casualty.
If we seek the Living Word of God with passionate commitment to the Lord’s truth we will be strengthened in it. We will
discover His wisdom and be strengthened by its truth. We will understand the “fear of the Lord” and walk in humility, and
that begins the process of protection against the arrogance of mind that destroys most people. Remember the main
satanic sin was pride; he believed he was God’s equal. We need the fear of the Lord to eliminate any vestiges of
arrogance before we are truly safe in this world. With the “fear of the Lord” to stabilise us through a correct assessment
of our limitations, we are ready to learn more each day. His words will then be the shield to the believer and the
encourager to justice, righteousness and truth in all our dealings.
The armour of the Holy Spirit is here mentioned, and the “shield of faith” is identified as the first thing to get hold of.
Ephesians 6:10-18. The shield of faith is the doctrinal principles of the Word of God; the PROMISES of God that we can
get down behind and hide behind under pressures. The first things every young believer needs to get hold of are as
many of the promises of God as is possible to learn and remember, as they will stabilise them under attack early in their
walk with the Lord.
Verses 9 – 11. “9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. 10
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”
On this journey through life we need to understand how to live safely and how to live well. If we lack basic knowledge
about how this world works we are vulnerable to the assault of the enemy, and even the ups and downs of daily life.
Refer to the BTB studies below on WORLD, and WORLDLINESS. The three basic concepts the writer identifies as
foundational are, righteousness, justice and equity(uprightness).
The first characteristic is the righteousness of God. We need to know the CHARACTER OF GOD as the most basic of all
stabilising doctrines. Once we understand the stability and trustworthiness of the Character of God we can relax in
situations that will otherwise cause distressing and disabling fears and worries. When these truths capture our soul we
will be stable in the truth, and will rejoice in the truth in our heart, and further, we will be discerning regarding others and
will be kept safe by means of that discernment.
The second doctrinal principle is the principle of Justice. We need to understand that the Lord is absolutely just and fair,
and that justice will be done, but its execution may be delayed in time. Some evil people will appear to get away with
great injustice upon this earth, but their “victory” over good people is temporary. The understanding of God’s Justice will
keep the believer stable and faithful, trusting that the Lord’s timing is as perfect as His character.
The third characteristic is “moral uprightness”. God is absolute morality and He expects this high standard of us also.
Each of these divine characteristics finds their equivalent in the believer who is determined to follow God and learn His
Wisdom. We also are to stand for righteousness before God, justice for others, and moral uprightness towards our fellow
man.
Verses 12 – 15. “12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:”
The evil man is described here so that the young believer may know his enemy by their fruits. Remember the literary
structure of the book; it is a writing of a father to his son, and as we will note again below, we need to include both sexes
in each warning. In the next section the evil woman is described so that she may also be known and identified before
they can cause mischief. The evil man is referred to as the man who speaks “froward” things. This old English word
refers to sheer devious malice, covered by lies and cheating. It is a word that sums up the true satanic strategy towards
the destruction of the believer.
Satan hates us, and every believer needs to understand that fact. John 15:18-26. The hatred of the enemy is countered
only by the inner presence of the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter” of the soul. Any believer who is walking through this
world in their own strength does not have the power to face the sheer malice of the enemy against them. We must walk
in the filling of the Holy Spirit to deal with the hatred we will meet. The malice of the enemy is strong, but they are also
predictable and to know them is to be able to avoid or beat their temptations.
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Satan has many angelic and human servants who delight in doing his will for his wages. Satan pays well for a time and
his servants are often healthy, wealthy and proud with it. These are people who have deliberately left the path of
righteousness and walked into the paths of evil. They love darkness, not light. Their deeds are evil and they don’t want
you to see exactly how bad they truly are. They hide their true nature behind a mask of hypocrisy and try to deceive you
into trusting them. They rejoice in their corruption, and delight in their acts of evil against others. They enjoy the power
that evil gives them over what they consider to be weaker people.
These are people exactly like Satan, who delight in their own power, but they do not see that they are being used by
Satan and will be abused by him as badly as they abuse others. Reflect upon the nature of dishonesty for a second and
see the logic of the warning here. If you join with dishonest people you cannot expect them to be honest with you about
their plans! The only thing you can be sure of is that there is no honour amongst thieves and scoundrels. To trust a
dishonest man is to be a fool indeed! They must be dishonest towards you in the end, for that is at the core of their
nature.
Verses 16 – 19. “16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her
words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.”
Now the term “strange woman” is a specific biblical one. It means a woman who is not your “right woman”; she is not
your correct sexual partner for life. She ought to be a stranger to you, and must certainly never be your casual or regular
sexual partner. The biblical doctrine of MARRIAGE may be summed up as “Right Man – Right Woman”. Refer below to
the BTB study of this. The seducer of other’s partners is a cunning play actor. She will act as if she thinks and feels that
the target male is the loveliest person she has ever met, but her plans are hidden behind this falsehood. She has a
“game plan” and seeks to use and then discard the foolish man who slips into her clutches. There are both men and
women who are seducers, but it is Solomon who is apparently speaking here, and his sons are being warned, so it is the
female seducer who is mentioned here, as the male is for the business and social abuser. Just remember that there are
both males and females in all categories of satanic servants.
The female seducer is an expert with her “scripts”. She has planned her words carefully for maximum impact upon her
target. She has learned what men love to hear and she is an expert in her delivery of the words that seduce the
vulnerable or foolish soul of her target. This is a person who has turned away from her parent’s good words and has
rejected the plan of God for her life. She has actively turned from the path of spiritual life and is enjoying the power and
pleasures of the path of sin for a season. Hebrews 11:25.
These people have short sighted aims. They “live for the day”, but not in the way the Lord encourages us to live “one day
at a time”. They live for the pleasures of the day without thought of the consequences of their sinful lives tomorrow. Their
viewpoint is the satanic perversion of the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 6. These people are baffled when their faces get
hardened, and their bodies get wracked by sexually transmitted diseases. They believe that they can get away with all
manner of sins. They have a sense of entitlement to pleasure without any limits and are baffled by the results of their
sins. They will not accept any limitations from God on their freedom to use and abuse others. The believer needs to
understand in advance the extent of their malice and be fore-warned against them.
They have a set path and it heads steadily down hill into the darkness of death itself. The Lord makes this stark
alternative clear in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 7:13-14. There are only two paths through life; God’s path, and
Satan’s path. God’s path is a “constricted path”; it is hard at times and tough going, because it is heading up hill in
morality and self control. Satan’s path is easy going, with easy money, easy sex, easy walking, but that is only because it
“inclines” downhill. It heads steadily downwards towards death.
To start on the path downhill and walk it for any distance is to make it harder and harder to return with every step you
take down. Many people complain about how hard it is to recover from bad habits, but that is because it is always hard to
walk uphill! It is easy to coast downhill to death and most do so. Jesus reminds us that few find the harder and uphill path
to righteousness. The Holy Spirit will walk within you and give you strength as you obey the Word of God, but it is still
hard work at times. Stop complaining believer, and get a firm grip on the truth and keep walking one day at a time uphill.
Hebrews 12:12-15. Pastors, encourage your people by your words and your solid and tenacious example of holiness
under pressure.
Verses 20 – 22. “20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.”
The “way of good men” and the “path of the righteous” are quite different to the way of the wicked. The fruit of the life is
startlingly different between the two life styles. God’s plan is clear, and that plan calls for the righteous to inherit the earth
in the end, and then move into eternity with the Lord forever. The evil ones will have temporary successes at times, but
God’s Plan is settled, and certain. The righteous will inherit the earth and eternity belongs to the just and true to the Lord.
There is ultimate and eternal judgement for those who think they can abuse the Lord and His people. Every last rebel
against the will of the Lord will be rooted out of this creation and eliminated from it permanently. Revelation 20:11ff.
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PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Anything less than total passion for the Lord is not good enough in this present evil world. It isn’t good enough
because it will not generate enough spiritual energy to defeat the enemies that will be ranged against you at times. Total
passion for the Lord is required in the Angelic Conflict, and a real hunger for the Word of God, because only that level of
spiritual power will keep you safe in the battlefield of this world. Let us be passionate about our Bible Teaching ministries
pastors! As pastors of the Lord, let us mentor the example of Holy Spirit filled teaching and passionate service. This is
our responsibility before the Lord.
2.
Stability comes from knowing the Lord’s promises to us as His children, so that we can take cover behind the
promises of the Lord. Let us ensure that all the young believers we train are quickly taught the basic doctrines of the
Word that will keep them safe and feeling secure in the arms of the Lord. Doctrine in the soul alone protects us from the
plots and plans of evil men. Only by spotting evil people a long way away are we able to defeat them with ease. If we
have no discernment the enemy can get very close to us and do us severe injury.
3.
Satan cannot be honest to save himself, and neither can his followers. They fight each other as often as they
fight God’s servants. Once you spot their real nature you can take action against them. The Lord’s command to examine
the fruit of other’s lives is the only safe guard against being taken for a fool and made merchandise of by an evil person.
Evil people hate you as a believer, and they will take advantage of you and use and abuse you. Be guarded or be taken
as a fool!
4.
Walking with the Lord is walking uphill. It is hard and tiring at times, but that is the only safe direction away from
the pit of hell. Let us encourage God’s people to keep walking uphill. Let us set the example of toughness in our daily
walking.
DOCTRINES
ANGELIC CONFLICT See page 18
JUDGEMENT – GREAT WHITE THRONE
1. The judgement of the Great White Throne is the last judgement. (Revelation 20:11, 15)
2. Only the unsaved are judged at the last judgement as there is no condemnation for Christians. (Romans 8:1)
3. The last judgement occurs at the end of the Millennium. (Revelation 20:7-15)
4. The unsaved are judged according to their works from the Books of Works (Revelation 20:12)
5. The judgement is to show that the Human works of man cannot satisfy the justice of God. God is totally fair and shows
that He is only satisfied by "The Good Work" – the death of Christ on the Cross.
6. Having shown the unsaved they have failed to satisfy the holiness of God, the condemned are cast into the Lake of
Fire. (Revelation 20:15)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY See page 13
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MENTAL ATTITUDE See page 14
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY
Categories of Believers
1. Standpoint of Spirituality:
a) Spiritual believer - the Holy Spirit controls the inside of the believer (Romans 8:6b).
b) Carnal believer - the sinful nature controls the inside of the believer (Romans 8:6a).
2. Standpoint of Growth:
a) Baby - one who has just received Christ as Saviour.
b) Adolescent - one who has learned some doctrine but is not yet in the application state.
c) Mature - one who knows and applies doctrine and spends a maximum amount of time in the filling of the Holy Spirit.
3. Relationship of Maturity and Spirituality:
a) Spirituality is an absolute. The Holy Spirit either controls or He does not. One cannot be a little bit carnal. If he is
carnal he is NOT spiritual.
b) Maturity is speeded up by spirituality, but a baby believer can be either carnal or spiritual, and a mature believer can
be carnal or spiritual.
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MATURITY – CROSS TO THE CROWN
1. Salvation is only the beginning of the plan for man. After salvation the believer's objective is to advance in stages of
spiritual growth on the path from the Cross to the Crown.
2. At each stage the believer faces increasing intense tests that can only be passed by faith. Paul in Romans 1:17 says
believers progress from faith to faith. The five Hebrew words for faith illustrate the five stages of growth described in the
New Testament.
a) The Babe - 1 Peter 2:2 - AMEN - the leaning faith of Genesis 15:6
All believers enter the family of God as infants when they exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. After the tremendous
stress of birth, of coming from darkness into the light the infant's impulse is to nurse. The objective is nourishment but
the baby also receives great comfort in feeding. God's objective for the spiritual infant is for growth, but He commences
this with comfort. Not much is expected of a baby in his first few years; he cannot feed or change himself. Spiritual
infants are just as helpless and need a great deal of nurturing, encouragement and patient encouragement and patient
instruction.
b) The Adolescent - 1 John 2:13-14 - BATACH - the wrestling faith of Psalm 37:3
Adolescents are young, strong and eager believers. This is the stage where people have grown to the point at which they
understand some of the principles of truth and are beginning to apply them to their lives. But like most adolescents, they
have the growing pains of arrogance and rebellion against authority; they are sometimes too eager to act on their own,
and this often gets them into trouble. They have knowledge which they mistake for wisdom, but they lack the experience.
Their tendency is to want to apply the truth to other people's lives. Adolescents may be troublesome, but at least they
are not apathetic. They must be patiently trained and encouraged to channel their energies. No one makes it to maturity
without passing through adolescence.
c) The Mature - Hebrews 5:14, 6:1 - CHASAH - the confident faith that takes refuge in the Lord - Psalm 57:1
The mature believer is able to take meat, the advance doctrine of the Word. A believer who has arrived at spiritual
maturity knows enough about the Bible to take responsibility for his own life. He knows how to apply the Word of God to
himself so rather than airing all his problems he knows how to solve them. He is not ready to take on every one else's
problems but he can take control of his own life. He understands that God has a plan for his life and sets about fulfilling
that plan. He gives himself to training and discipline, exercising himself and building spiritual muscle.
d) The Hero of Faith - Isaiah 53:12, Hebrews 11 - YACHAL - the healing faith of Job 13:15
Heroes of faith are men and women who have gone beyond maturity and have learned to fight the good fight. They have
advanced beyond simply taking responsibility for their own lives to becoming responsible for the lives of other people.
They are always willing to pick up fallen comrades, to treat their wounds, to encourage them and supply their needs.
Heroes of the faith still make mistakes, they still fail but they always stand back up and go back into battle.
e) The Friend of God - James 2:23-25 - QAWAH - the enduring faith of Isaiah 40:31
The highest of all possible achievements in life is to become a friend of God. Every believer has the potential and the
assets necessary to reach this point, but very few Christians do. It takes persistency and tenacity. The only people who
make it this far are those who absolutely refuse to quit.
GOD – DIVINE INSTITUTIONS – FREE WILL
1. Definition:- Volition or free will is the responsibility before God to choose different ends and means in life.
2. The above definition does not say that one has the power to do what you choose but it does give the opportunity to
choose.
3. God gave Adam a choice in the garden in Genesis 2:16,17 where God told the man "thou shalt not eat" in the
imperative mood which is a command.
4. Free will gives you the opportunity to want to accomplish things in conformity with God's will without having the natural
ability to do so. (1 Kings 3:5-10) Solomon in this case wanted to judge but could not because of his own limitations.
5. In Psalm 13 David's free will continued to be positive even though he had not been successful.
6. One of the reasons for the delay in the answering of prayer requests is to allow the strengthening of free will to desire
to do God's will.
7. Free will in both believer and unbeliever. (John 7:17)
8. Free will in giving. (2 Corinthians 8:12)
9. Free will cannot be coerced or compromised thus Christianity is a matter of obedience. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
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10. As God is to judge all men it means that man is responsible for his actions and that all normal members of the human
race have free will. (Revelation 20:11-15)
11. Relationship of free will is vertical, between man and God not man and man. (Ephesians 6:5-9)
12. Because man is subject to judgement there is an age of accountability as portrayed by the "rich young ruler".
13. Animals and plants are not judged.
14. Free will also puts the responsibility on both ends and means. An example of the right end but wrong means is the
sin unto death of Moses. (Numbers 20)
15. By application just because God is blessing a ministry, in the case of Moses by providing water it does not mean that
the person is necessarily in God's will. God blesses through his grace and not necessarily because they are doing things
by God's way.
16. Human viewpoint attack on free will - Determinism.
(a)
The concept is that if one starts out with any physical item and I know everything there is regarding it and the
laws that control it then I can dogmatically predict the future state of that item.
(b)
This concept is incorrect as shown by the power of prayer (James 5:17)
(c)
It is possible for God to manipulate His universe. (Acts 16:26)
17. Types of miracles in the bible
(a)
natural - a variation of a natural law
(i)
Elijah and the drought
(ii)
Paul and the earthquake
(iii)
Moses at the Red Sea with the east wind
(b)
supernatural - a direct violation of a natural law
(i)
The resurrection of Christ
(ii)
Being born again
18. In physics this concept is called "Heisenburg's Uncertainty Principle" after the German Nobel prize winner who
postulated it. Modern science now views a lot of the formulae of physics as occurring the vast majority of times but on
odd occasions not complying with observed laws. Such non compliance would include miracles or manipulation by God.
19. Evolution is an attack on free will as it states that man is evolved from animals and is a higher form of animal. This is
often reinforced in text books which state "men and the other animals" indicating that man differs in degree only and not
in "kind".
(a)
"Difference in degree" - hot and cold is a matter of relative heat; ice, water and steam are all water and of the
same kind.
(b)
"Difference in kind - a square and a triangle.
(c)
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:21, a believer out of fellowship assesses man as different only in degree from
animals.
(d)
Based on evolutionary principles abortion can be justified and atrocities condoned against other races such as
the Nazi reaction to Jews, gipsies and the Slavs. From this comes the concept that if we knew everything about animal
behaviour we could then describe man.
(e)
The Biblical view however is that we do vary in kind, not in degree (Genesis 2:16) with the thing that sets man
apart from the animals being volition.
(f)
By implication man is never totally determined by his environment.
(g)
Hell is a monument to the fact of free will because if you do not have a choice you cannot be judged.
20. Three problems which the Bible solves regarding free will (a)
What about babies who die before they hear the gospel or those who are mentally not able to decide?
Solution - 2 Samuel 12:18 where a child born to David and Bathsheba dies on the 7th day, the day before circumcision
which would have brought the child into a covenant relationship.
David says that he will go to be with the child indicating the child has been automatically saved without a covenant
requirement.
This is the principle of "unlimited atonement". (1 John 2:2)
(b)
What about the physical damage which hinders the person causing a restriction of free will?
Solution - John 9:1-7 where a man blind from birth is healed. Jesus did not bypass the free will but made up for the
blindness. He breaks down the barriers for a person to do God's will but the free will of the person is not manipulated.
(c)
What about spiritual damage to free will?
Solution - Genesis 3:8 where after the fall God sought out Adam and Eve in the garden where they had hidden from him.
God who is all knowing asked the question "Where are you?"
The principle of the "total depravity of man" is seen here in the fact that man will not of his own free will seek God.
In Deuteronomy 5 Moses and all the Israelites heard a public address by God which the Israelites shrank back from.
God speaks to man in three areas:-
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(a)
(b)
(c)
He speaks to all men. (Matthew 5:45, Acts 14:17)
He has a more intense form of calling. (Genesis 6:3, Romans 13:1)
He calls through the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 16:8-11)
It is however possible to so damage the free will regarding spiritual matters that it becomes impossible to believe or
repent.
Examples
(a)
the Amorites and Canaanites of Joshua's day. (Genesis 15:16)
(b)
the Pharaoh of the Exodus. (Exodus 7- 11)
(c)
those who accept the mark of the beast. (Revelation 13:8)
(d)
the reaction of unbelievers at the Second Advent. (Revelation 6:16)
21. However there are many areas over which even those who have had limited free will have control and the person
who searches will find. (John 7:17)
22. If God is truly sovereign how can man have genuine free choice? God has absolute sovereignty as shown by a study
of His character. It is also clear that man has free will.
God uses his free will as creator whilst man uses his as a part of creation.
23. One way of looking at this is fatalism which is the basis of most eastern religions which state that man's destiny is set
and certain.
24. Another way is autonomy which says that all things are uncertain and therefore history goes on chaotically.
25. True biblical sovereignty is based on the creator/creation concept with the creator outside the universe and the
created beings within.
Three non salvation examples:(a)
Paul as a prisoner on a ship bound for Rome predicts, having received advice from the angel of God, that there
will be no loss of life but the ship will become a wreck. The guarantee is a sovereign guarantee and therefore absolute.
Paul however tells the soldiers that they must stay on the boat to be saved. They do and they are saved. Sovereign
decrees by God therefore contain free will decisions by man. (Acts 27)
(b)
The sovereign decree is that all things work together for good towards the goal of predestination and eventual
glorification. We have a guarantee that we will be in heaven. We need to be actively involved in the chain of events.
(Romans 8:28)
(c)
Daniel understood the time of "desolations" as seventy years as prophesied by Jeremiah and knew that it would
end on time. He now seeks by supplication with sackcloth and ashes forgiveness for Israel's sin on the basis that no
discipline is going to be removed without the sin having been forgiven. (Daniel 9:2)
God promises certain things but they are contingent on our prayer Using the principle of the sovereignty of God we can
be confident in prayer if we are controlled by the Holy Spirit. (James 4:2)
26. Can free will be neutral? The answer is no, one is either positive or negative towards God. For instance if a young
man is keen on a girl and is asked if he is going to marry her and he answers he does not know. As long as he debates
the question he will not marry her and is therefore negative to marriage.
27. Every attack in the Christian life has one common feature, the denial of the Word of God as shown in the temptation
of our Lord. Each of them therefore is an attack on the character of God.
28. The act of negative free will to the plan of God is given in Romans 1:18-32.
In this passage:(a)
The unbeliever holds the truth in unrighteousness. (v18)
(b)
The power of God is clearly seen by all men. (v19-20)
(c)
They became vain in their imaginations and worshipped part of the creation rather than the creator. (v21-23)
(d)
The result is sexual and other perversions. (v24-31)
(e)
They end up encouraging others to defy God. (v32)
29. Are the majority always right? A scriptural example of this was Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 where on
a public opinion basis Elijah would have been considered wrong.
The concept that public opinion is always correct comes from the French philosopher Rousseau who stated "the most
general will is always the most just also, the voice of the people is in fact the voice of God".
Another good example of this would be the public opinion that happened at the crucifixion of Christ.
30. There are therefore two classes in the Christian life, positive or negative to God's will.
31. In Old Testament times physical idols were common. The idols nowadays are commonly abstract in the form of ideas
and concepts. It is up to the Christian to challenge these concepts where they occur.
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HOLY SPIRIT – FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT See page 12
CHRISTIAN LIFE – CHRISTIAN SOLDIER IN EPHESIANS 6 See page 15
PROMISES
1. FROM GOD'S VIEWPOINT
When a person promises you something the promise is only as strong as the character of the person making the
promise. The character of God is perfect therefore His promises are totally reliable.
a) Unchangeable - A promise in the Bible is the same for us in the 20th Century as it was to Paul.
b) All-knowing - God knows all our problems so there is always a promise or doctrine to cater for our difficulties.
c) Love - God will provide for His children.
d) Truth - All the promises are totally true.
2. FROM MAN'S VIEWPOINT
a) We must know the promises.
b) We must believe the promises.
c) We must want to trust in God.
3. THERE ARE ABOUT 7,000 PROMISES THAT DEAL WITH THE CHRISTIAN ON EARTH
4. TYPICAL PROMISES FOR VARIOUS STAGES IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
a) Stage 1 - Salvation (John 3:16; Acts 16:31)
b) Stage 2 - Christian on earth (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:7)
c) Stage 3 - Believers in Heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 21:4)
5. FOR THE CHRISTIAN ON EARTH - HOW DO WE MAKE THEM WORK?
a) We must be a believer in Jesus Christ.
b) Take every promise to mean what it says.
c) Confess all your known sins using the promise in (1 John 1:9)
d) If a promise says to do something, do it (i.e. pray, believe, confess etc.)
e) Wait for answers, the Lord will answer in His time.
f) Keep a promise notebook, learn the promises.
6. GENERAL SCRIPTURE ON THE PROMISES OF GOD (Hebrews 3:7 - 4:11)
a) The geographical areas in which the Exodus generation found themselves can represent stages in the Christian.
i) Egypt - unbelief.
ii) Red Sea crossing - salvation by faith (i.e. leaving Egypt)
iii) Wilderness - the carnal and immature Christian life claiming only some promises and failing regularly.
iv) Jordan crossing - full realisation of God's favour by faith.
v) Promised land - the mature Christian resting in God and only failing occasionally.
b) The author of Hebrews in (Chapter 3:7,19) exhorts the Jews at Jerusalem and us not to fall into the same traps as the
Exodus generation in unbelief.
c) Questions And Answers on Hebrews (Chapter 4) refers to the Christian on earth.
Verse 1: What happens if we fail to claim a promise? - We lack peace of mind.
Verse 2: What characteristic of God does this verse highlight? - Unchangeable.
How are the promises made active? - By being mixed with faith.
Verse 3: Which came first, man or the promises of God? - The promises, God is all-knowing.
Verse 4: Why did God rest? - Because He had provided all things necessary for man.
Verses 5 & 6: Will any succeed in this area? - Yes, some will.
Verse 7: Are the promises still available today? - Yes.
What must we do? - Accept God's provision.
What must we not do? - Harden our hearts.
Verse 8: Jesus in some translations is, in fact, Joshua.
Verse 9: To whom are the promises available? - Believers only.
Verse 10: What choice have we as a Christian? - Human works or God's works and provision.
Verse 11: What is the great trap? - Unbelief. We should actively pursue the promises of God.
7. MAJOR PROMISES
Learn to claim these when:
a) In difficulties (Romans 8:28)
b) You have sinned (1 John 1:9)
c) You are worried (1 Peter 5:7)
d) You have been wronged (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
e) Prayer (Matthew 7:7)
f) You are lonely (Hebrews 13:5)
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g) You have doubts (Philippians 4:13)
h) The Bible (Hebrews 4:12)
i) You cannot sleep (Psalm 4:8)
j) You are unhappy (Psalm 147:3)
k) You are tempted to retaliate (Romans 12:17,19)
l) You are in danger (Psalm 23:4)
WORLD
1. World under control of Satan:
a) ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)
b) god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)
c) he deceives the world (Revelation 12:9).
d) Satan is filling the world with his propaganda (1 Timothy 4:1).
2. Jesus Christ created earth (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 45:18). He gave control to original mankind (Genesis 1:28) but man
lost it at the fall (Genesis 3:6).
3. Sin and spiritual death are the basis of Satan's rule over this world. Therefore, God so loved the world that He gave a
Saviour (John 3:16), hence Christ as a title in this connection. Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).
4. Therefore Christ is the saviour of the world (John 3:17; 4:42; 1 John 4:14). The Saviour who gave His life for the'
world (John 6:33); hence Christ has a title in this connection. Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).
5. Therefore Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33), so that the believer can overcome the world (1 John 5:4,5).
6. Consequently believers in Christ must not love the world (1 John 2:15,16). Nor must believers conform to the world
(Romans 12:2). Worldliness is what you think, which may be demonstrated by what you do.
7. World control by Satan will stop at the Second Advent. However, believers will continue forever (1 John 2:17).
8. Also, the Word of God abides forever (1 Peter 1:23,25), and is designed to overcome the ruler of this world (1John
2:14). Therefore, not conforming to the world and overcoming the world are accomplished through Bible doctrine, by
which God has made foolish the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19).
9. It is therefore of greatest importance that the believer's attitude is based on the Word of God (Philippians 2:5;
2Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 26:3,4; Philippians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 1:5,6,8).
10. Backsliding is characterised as friendship with the world (James 4:4).
WORLDLINESS
1. Worldliness means to follow the beliefs and philosophy of man rather than that of God
2. Worldliness is the opposite of godliness; it is thinking/doing in opposition to God's revealed word. Titus 2:11-14.
3. All people are faced with the constant choice of following God's way or the world's. Romans 5:12, 3:19, 1 Corinthians
1:21, Ephesians 2:12, James 1:27, 2 Peter 1:4, 2:20.
4. Satan is the "prince of this world", and has power to deceive those who are negative to God's plans. John 12:31,
14:30, 16:11, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8,9.
5. We must not love the world, 1 John 2:15-17.
6. We must hate all the world stands for, in thought and in deed. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 11:30-32, Galatians 6:14, James
1:27, James 4:4, 2 Peter 1:3,4, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 19.
7. We must not return to our old behaviour patterns, Ephesians 2:1-7.
8. This evil world system and the prince of this world will be condemned. Matthew 18:7, John 12:31, 16:11, 1 Corinthians
6:2, 2 Peter 3:7, 2 Peter 2:1ff.
GOD – CHARACTER OF GOD
1. Whilst God is three persons all three persons have exactly the same essence or character:
a) SOVEREIGNTY
The Father (Ephesians 1:11, cf. Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 6:10, Hebrews 10:7, 9)
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The Son (John 5:21, Revelation 19:16)
The Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11, cf. Hebrews 2:4)
b) RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Father (John 17:25)
The Son (Luke 1:35, Hebrews 7:26, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
The Spirit - The Holy Spirit
c) JUSTICE
The Father (Job 37:23, cf. 8:3)
The Son (Acts 3:14, John 5:22, Revelation 19:11
The Spirit (Nehemiah 9:20)
d) LOVE
The Father (John 3:16)
The Son (Ephesians 5:25, 1 John 3:16)
The Spirit (John 16:7-11, 1 Corinthians 2:10)
e) ETERNAL LIFE
The Father (John 5:26)
The Son (Micah 5:2, cf. John 1:1-2, 1 John 5:11
The Spirit (Isaiah 48:16)
f) ALL-KNOWING
The Father (Hebrews 4:13, cf. Matthew 11:27, 1 Peter 1:2)
The Son (John 18:4, cf. Matthew 9:4, John 2:25, 1 Corinthians 4:5)
The Spirit (Isaiah 11:2, cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11
g) EVERYWHERE
The Father (2 Chronicles 2:6)
The Son (Matthew 28:20, cf. Ephesians 1:23)
The Spirit (Psalm 139:7)
h) ALL-POWERFUL
The Father (Mark 14:36, cf.1 Peter 1:5)
The Son (Hebrews 1:3, cf. Matthew 24:30, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 3:21)
The Spirit (Romans 15:19)
i) UNCHANGEABLE
The Father (Hebrews 6:17, Psalm 33:11)
The Son (Hebrews 13:8)
The Spirit (John 14:16)
j) TRUTH
The Father (John 7:28, John 17:3)
The Son (1 John 5:20, cf. John 1:14, 14:6, Revelation 19:11)
The Spirit (1 John 5:6, cf. John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13)
GOD – PLAN OF GOD
1. In eternity past, God designed a plan for every believer, which takes into account every event and decision in human
history.
2. The plan centres on the person of Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:23, Ephesians 1:4-6)
3. Entrance into the plan is based on the principle of grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9) where the sovereignty of God and the free
will of Man meet at the cross. God brings salvation which is complete, Man brings his faith.
4. God's plan was so designed so as to include all events and actions. (1 Peter 1:2)
5. Under His plan God has decreed to do some things directly and some through agencies, Israel, the Church.
6. Without interfering with human free will in any way God has designed a plan so perfect that it includes cause and
effect, as well as provision, preservation and function.
7. There are many functions in the Plan of God. They all constitute one whole comprehensive plan which is perfect,
eternal and unchangeable.
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8. The plan of God is consistent with human freedom and does not limit or coerce human free will. Distinction should be
made between what God causes and what God permits. God causes the Cross but permits sin. God is neither the author
of sin nor sponsors sin.
9. His plan portrays that man has free will. God never condones sin in the human race. Man started in perfect
environment and innocence. Man sinned of his own free will. Man will sin in the perfect environment of the Millennium.
10. Distinction should be made between the divine plans which are related to the plan of God and divine laws which
regulate human conduct on the earth. Divine laws occur in time, divine plans occur in eternity.
11. God's plans derive from His foreknowledge. He recognised in eternity past those things which are certain. The
foreknowledge of God makes no things certain, but only perceives in eternity past those things that are certain.
12. There is a difference between foreknowledge and fore ordination. Fore ordination establishes certainty but does not
provide for the certainty which is established. It is the plan that provides. (Romans 8:29, Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 1:2)
13. Therefore the elect are foreknown and the foreknown are elect. God knew in eternity past what way each free will
would go for each particular problem in life. God does not coerce human free will but He does know what way each
freewill will choose at any given time. As free will decides so God provides.
14. Since God cannot contradict His own character He plans the best for the believer. God is perfect, His plan and
provisions are therefore perfect.
15. The cross was planned in eternity past but the human free will of Christ decided for the cross at Gethsemane.
(Matthew 26:39-42) God has provided salvation through the cross and it is a free will decision as to whether one accepts
it or not.
16. No plan in itself opposes human freedom but once a choice is made from the free will then the plan limits your human
freedom. At the same time it gives you the freedom to love and appreciate God. God lays down the means of living the
Christian life.
GOD – DIVINE INSTITUTIONS – MARRIAGE
1. Man and angels have personality but only men and animals have "nephesh" and experience physical death. Angels do
not die because they are spirits.
2. Marriage requires both personality and life, therefore it is only applicable to man. There is no marriage in the angelic
realm. (Matthew 22:30)
3. Definition:- the personal relationship between a male and female member of the human race which typifies the saving
relationship between Christ and believers.
4. God's instruction - "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish and
the fowl and every living thing". This shows that man should subdue and have dominion over the animal kingdom.
5. If God was a solitary personality there would be no divine example of relationships, however with the three
personalities in the Godhead relationships are demonstrated. He is a personal God and we can therefore have a
relationship with him.
6. Marriage typifies the relationship between Christ and the church.
a) In the form of grace and faith (Ephesians 5:22), the word submit meaning to fall into line to the law of God which the
carnal mind cannot do. (Romans 8:7; 10:3)
b) You submit yourself by an act of freewill.
c) A family can strain marriage relationships if they are not submissive. (Romans 13:1,5)
7. Grace is typified by the male and faith by the female. If this pattern is not adhered to it results in misery and suffering.
8. Grace and the man.
a) The man is in the role of an initiator.
b) The man provides information to which the woman can respond but must not coerce her free will.
c) The man has to show his character to the woman.
d) The man has to be patient, a form of grace.
9. Faith and the woman.
a) The woman is in the role of a responder.
b) The woman makes the choice of her free will.
c) She is the one who uses faith.
d) The woman needs time to grow.
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10. Glory revealed.
a) The glory of God is shown in the man in the form of a changed life through regeneration.
b) The glory of the man is shown in the woman by changes in the woman.
11. Compatibility.
a) The important area of compatibility is that in the spiritual realm as one can be psychologically compatible with many
people.
b) Spiritual compatibility is indicated by the phrase "one flesh" and is a picture of the union of Christ and the church.
12. Satan will attempt to blur the differences between man and woman and cause role reversals. The degree to which
this occurs reflects the level of decadence in a society.
13. Legitimate reasons for the termination of marriage:a) The death of one of the partners.
b) The desertion of a believer by an unbelieving spouse where one of the two partners has become a Christian after
marriage. (1 Corinthians 7:10-16)
c) Inappropriate marriage partners such as close relations as specified in (Leviticus 18).
d) Adultery or fornication as this causes the destruction of the one flesh principle by forming another one flesh. (Matthew
5:32; 19:9)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SPIRITUALITY-CARNALITY See page 10
CHRISTIAN LIFE – WALKING See page 11
CHAPTER 3
INTRODUCTION
“Bad company perverts good morals”. So states the old English proverb taken from the proverbial sayings of Solomon. It
is this need to guard against the influence of bad friends that is Solomon’s next main subject. It is easy to think on
superficial analysis of the facts that bad people do better than good people. The concern of Solomon and the later writers
is that the people of their days won’t be misled by this apparent fact and follow the evil people and fall into their lusts. The
truth is the Lord takes time to judge, and their apparent success is only temporary.
We all face this issue, often in the lives of our own children as they grapple with the unfairness of the school yard and
corrupt school system. I recall the upset of one of my daughters at her Christian School where some parents would
“help” their children by doing their assignments for them, and this parental “assistance” would ensure the children won
the school prizes for performance. It was blatant cheating but it was not addressed because the guilty families were of
the “super spiritual” group that had some power on the school board.
I encouraged my daughter to work honestly and hard and she did, even though she now knew that she would never win
the school prizes at the end of the academic year. I encouraged her to see that there was a bigger prize at stake; that
was the honesty prize that the Lord would award, and also the University would award to those who succeeded in a
forum where no parent could cheat for their child. Time moved on and my daughter went to a State High School for her
final school years where her diligent work habits ensured that she excelled way above the lazy pagans she was
surrounded by. She got on well with them, and had great success, winning some national awards, and then went on to
University where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts.
Those who had cheated in the past all failed to achieve beyond their cheating environment, and sadly some turned to
drugs to cope with their loser life style. It was a disgrace to behold, but it was what the authors of Proverbs predicted
3000-2500 years ago. It doesn’t matter whether the cheats and fraudsters are super-spiritual fake believers, or straight
pagans, the day of real reckoning will come to all who break the laws of God. Those who stabilise themselves in the
doctrines of the Word of God have strength and power to stand against all opposition and live and walk without fear of
angel or man.
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1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and
peace, shall they add to thee.3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon
the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust
in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be
health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of
all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:12 For whom the LORD
loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
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and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are
not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold
upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by
understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds
drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So
shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot
shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall
be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the
LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. 27 Withhold not good from them to
whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come
again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he
dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy thou
not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret
is with the righteous. 33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of
the just. 34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory:
but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 4. “1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man”.
There is a true doctrine of prosperity for believers who follow after the truth (or doctrines) of God’s Holy Word. If we
believe the Word and apply the Word into the fabric of our daily lives then there is a consequence over time that will work
out. There will be spiritual prosperity in our life. It may be accompanied by material prosperity, but equally it may not be.
Examine the lives of the great saints of the past whose stories are recorded in the Scriptures. Many do receive material
blessing, but equally many do not, and the greatest of Gods servants suffer greatly.
A quick check on this may be made by examining the lives of the four major prophets and other authors of the Old
Testament. Read through the account of the great spiritual heroes of history in Hebrews 11 and see how many suffer
and how many are financially blessed in time. Most of God’s servants are blessed in spiritual ways in time and only in
eternity receive their full rewards.
Of the “big Four prophets”, the first is Isaiah. Isaiah dies a martyr’s death, sawn in half by the evil king Manasseh whose
father Isaiah saved from an early death. Jeremiah dies in exile in Egypt, having lost all his earthly goods, experiencing
jail time, and suffering great persecution through the siege of Jerusalem. Ezekiel is captured after the second siege of
Jerusalem in 597 BC, and taken to Babylon. He lives in a mud hut by the rivers of Babylon, and there he sees his young
wife die. He goes on and serves the Lord from this humble place of slavery and poverty. Although trained to be a priest
and well educated he works as a labourer on the canals of Babylon until he dies.
Only Daniel, taken into captivity after the first siege of Jerusalem in 606 BC lives in a palace, but that is after he is
castrated and suffers great privation. He goes on to serve the Lord through the Babylonian and into the Persian period.
At around 80 years of age he is thrown into the Lion’s Den. None of these men have sons to follow after them, and their
family names are lost to their nation as they have no physical descendents. What is your choice believer? Is it to walk
where these men walked if you are called to?
The promises associated with obedience indicate the believer may achieve long life and a peace/shalom. Now the word
“shalom” indicated great prosperity of soul, and at times, of body as well. Does this add up with the account of history?
Over all, the fact of God’s blessing upon His people who were obedient does stack up with history, and all of us can see
many saints in our own life times who have reaped this reward.
However, the truly great saints often suffer greatly, and do not have length of days of blessing. How do we deal with this
anomaly? We take it to the Lord as Job had to. Study the EBCWA study on Job as this book really explores this question
fully and finally. Let me again ask the question of you believer. Are you ready to stand with the Lord and receive His
rewards, whatever they are for you?
The authors of Proverbs understand this dilemma well and that is why the order is given to the “sons” who receive this
book as their instruction manual. They are to face the problems they face in life by consciously “binding the truth” to them
as a soldier would bind his possession to him in a battle to ensure nothing was lost. No matter what he sees with his
eyes, the truth of God’s Word is to be more real to him than what he sees.
Kindness towards others is to be an integral part of his life even if people may be problematic to him. Truth is to be his
guide, not the opinions of men. He is to bind them around his neck like the most precious of his jewellery. He is to
engrave his heart with the doctrines of God’s Holy Word for these alone will keep his soul in the dark places he may be
required to walk through.
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Verses 5 – 8. “5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones”.
God’s Word is to be more real to the believer than what he sees with his eyes, for all that is seen is temporary, and only
the Word of the Lord lasts forever. This is the major point that Job has to learn through his time of great pain and loss.
The certainty he has must rest in his knowledge of the holy Character of God. His assurance that justice will be done
must rest in doctrine, not what he sees as the carnage unfolds around him. Our understanding of events is limited, and
when caught with a question we are to rest in the certainty of God’s Holy Character and Plan, and await the answer to
our dilemmas.
In all our ways we are to acknowledge the guidance and direction of the Lord. As He directs our paths through this life we
are safe. The main danger is being “wise in our own eyes”. The danger is arrogance; it is forgetting that we are dust, and
have limited minds and emotions. If we keep in mind who we truly are, and flee from evil, then we will have the physical
and mental health we need to really serve the Lord as we are called to. Health to the navel and strength to the bones
was a way of saying being free of mental illness that will otherwise debilitate the strength of a person. Let us use all our
strength to serve the Lord as we are called to serve.
Verses 9 – 12. “9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth”.
If we put God first we can relax with all that follows. This is a major principle of GIVING that goes through the ages. If we
give the Lord a thanks offering of all we receive from Him, then we will be blessed by the Lord for our faith and
confidence. The Lord loves those who express their confidence in Him “up front”. Faith expressed “up front” means we
give thanks to the Lord for an answer to prayer well before any answer to that prayer is actually seen with the eyes. It is a
true expression of faith in action. Malachi 3:8-12, 2 Corinthians 8:5, 9:6-11, Hebrews 11:1ff.
Giving is to be an expression of our love of the Lord in action. It is to be an open and free expression of our worship.
Discipline may be applied at times to us to correct us and keep us moving aggressively forward, and it is to be seen as
the Lord’s blessing also; it is to be received, rejoiced in and advanced through. Hebrews 12:12ff. Refer to the BTB
studies below on DISCIPLINE OF BELIEVERS, PRAYER.
Verses 13 – 18. “13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her”.
Genuine happiness is not found by means of the tricks and dishonesty of the evil ones, but only by following the words
and example of the Lord. Happy is the man that gains the wisdom from the Lord, not the man that wins the lottery and
becomes a millionaire. It is not great wealth and power that makes men happy, but truly knowing God and His plan for
them that makes men lastingly happy.
All things gained apart from peace with God are worthless, for all will be lost except peace with God. The greatest wealth
is peace from God and peace with God. The greatest wealth is not the silver and gold that men can steal, but the wealth
that none can steal; the wealth that dwells in the heart of the man that loves God and knows he is loved by God. Matthew
6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34.
Nothing can be compared to the inner wealth of the person who knows God’s truth on their journey through this life, for
then all their life values are right, and all their paths are the ones that lead to eternal rewards. To understand what the
Lord’s values are is to have the “tree of life” indeed. So much time is wasted by people expending energy in things that
have no lasting value. Once we have God’s wisdom we have the key to the useful spending of our time here upon the
earth. Refer to the BTB studies REWARDS AND CROWNS.
Verses 19 – 26. “19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the
heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken”.
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The wisdom that the Lord wants to give us through His Holy Word is the wisdom with which He made the Universe. Many
people want to understand the mysteries of the Universe yet they are not prepared to study the Word of God, and it is
there that the basic principles behind the Universe’s creation can be discovered. It is the mind of God that has the
secrets of the Universe, but all that can be known about the mind of God this side of eternity is revealed in the Word of
God. Man has the opportunity here and now to understand a great deal about our world but lack of interest in the Word of
God hinders man’s ability to comprehend all this.
The writers of Proverbs urge their hearers/readers to hang on tight to the truths contained here, because it is in these
truths that they will discover the things they need to know about how to live upon this earth. The Word of God is life and
health to the person who grasps its truths and lives by them. “Grace to the neck” is the way the ancients referred to
dignity and confidence in walking in public. It means the person is able to walk into a crowd with dignity, decorum, and a
sense of self confidence.
Self confidence in the sight of important people was very important then as it is now for social life. There is confidence for
the believer who has truly studied God’s Word, for they are sure of the Plan of God and their own place in it, and they
have a true sense of eternal value, and are living in accordance with eternal realities. Such a person is truly confident
and strong. This is where the mature believer is meant to be. We need fear no snare to our feet if we are discerning,
careful, and prayerful. There is no cause of genuine FEAR for the believer truly WALKING in the Spirit.
Fearfulness is a sign of a person who is not at ease in the situation they find themselves in. No believer who is walking in
the power of the Holy Spirit, and in accordance with the Plan of God ought ever to be fearful in the place they find
themself. They can be without fear because they are exactly where the Lord wants them, and can wait with excitement
for what the Lord is going to do in that place.
It is this fearlessness that is the hallmark of the mature believer. Fearlessness is a fruit of the Spirit in the mature
believer. They are stable in the midst of trouble because they know the Lord and His will for their life and they are relaxed
as they advance in doing what they are ordered. This is where the believer is meant to be at all times. If we are not in this
mental and emotional place it is because we are not walking in the Spirit in the LIGHT of the Word of God. Let us be
challenged by these words.
Verses 27 – 35. “27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools”.
God’s people look to the good of others. We are here to be a blessing if we can to our fellow man. If we cannot be a
blessing by telling the truth, we can at least give no man any reason to refuse it and go to hell. We cannot save people
from the consequences of their own free will but we can ensure they drop into hell without any possible excuses. If we
can do well for another we do it. If we can assist a person we do so without any delay, for the Lord has saved us without
any delay.
As we have been loved and provided for so we are obliged to provide for others in need. Refer to the BTB study LOVE.
We see the eternal realities if we have the wisdom of God, and that means we see the final fate of all men and feel
sorrow for the foolish and the evil; we do not feel hatred for them for we see what they are going to experience. Jesus
wept over Jerusalem, for he saw what would become of the evil people who were about to murder him and would later
murder his followers. Luke 13:34, 23:28.
Malice toward others is not to be a part of our life work or plan. If a man is evil we avoid him, or we deal with him, but
without any malice towards him. If justice or righteousness demands we take action against an evil person we do so, but
without any anger. Execution of justice is to be done in sadness that a person should drop so pointlessly into hell to await
the Great White Throne Judgement. Anger, hatred, and malice at others are all signs of sin in our own life. God’s wisdom
teaches us to be calm and stable in our emotions. Refer to the BTB study ANGER.
We are called to be focused upon the Lord’s will alone. We do not envy the “easy money” of the oppressors of others, for
we see the final fate of the thug and we pity him in eternal damnation. Hell is more real to us than the temporary wealth
of the criminal or the respectable but evil business man. We do not envy their temporary power and wealth, for we see
their final destiny and pity them. We will inherit glory, but they will inherit shame forever.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Nothing matters other than the understanding of what truly matters. Unless we understand God’s value system
we are chasing things that have no real value at all. Only the Lord’s wisdom can ensure that our efforts are spent doing
the things that have lasting and eternal value. It is eternal reward that matters above all else. It is the “well done” of the
true master of the universe that has value for man. Matthew 25:21ff.
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Let us preach and teach the people of the Lord so that they have no excuse for time wasting activities, but following our
instruction they spend their time doing things of eternal value for the Lord. Wisdom from the Lord is indeed the “Tree of
Life”, for it gives life and purpose to those who have the doctrines of the Lord in their spirit.
2.
There is no room for fear in our march through this life. We are under orders from the King of all kings and the
Lord of all lords, and while we walk under His orders we have no-one to fear. 1 John 4:4. If we walk in the power of the
Holy Spirit in the light of the Word there is no need to fear or falter in any way whatsoever. Let us walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word personally as pastors, and lead our people into the Word in power of the teaching ministry of the
Holy Spirit. Let us mentor fearlessness in the presence of the enemy, and let us teach others to be fearless in the Lord’s
power. Psalms 23:5.
3.
We do not envy the wicked if we are mature in the Lord. We do not lust after their life styles or desire their
wealth and power. We serve the Lord wherever we find ourselves, trusting in the Lord to lift us up. 1 Peter 5:5-9. Let us
mentor this mental attitude to the Lord’s people, and let us make sure we deal with any lust that arises quickly lest we
also be made fools of. Let us remember Paul’s concern that having preached to others he might fall at the last minute
and let us guard our souls from foolishness every day of our life. 1 Corinthians 9:27. Let us pour out our hearts, our
energy and our substance in the Lord’s service.
DOCTRINES
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIVING
1. Giving is an important part of spiritual life. It includes your attitude, the giving of yourself, your capacity as well as your
possessions. Giving is as much a part of worship as praying, singing, listening to teaching, observing the Lord's Table,
reading the Word. It is a function of priesthood for team work and often to sustain the work of leadership.
2. Basic Principles of Giving
(a) Old Testament Giving - this giving was grace giving just as it is in our age. (Proverbs 11:24,25)
(b) New Testament Giving - (2 Corinthians 9:7) also grace giving.
(c) Tithing - this means ten per cent. It was a form of income tax in Israel. Offerings or giving were above this. Tithing
was for all Jews, offerings for believers only. It should be remembered that Israel was a theocracy.
[i] In Israel two tithes were required annually
[ii] Tithe 1 - for the maintenance of the Levites (Numbers 18:21, 24) Civil servants in a theocracy.
[iii] Tithe 2 - for national feasts and sacrifices (Deuteronomy 14:22-26)
[iv] Every third year a third tithe was required:[v] Tithe 3 - for the poor of the land. (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29) Social security. In (Malachi 3:8-10) it mentions
tithes and offerings, the tithes to be brought to the storehouse or treasury.
(d) The time to give - the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
(e) How much - as God has prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2)
3. General Scripture on Giving. (2 Corinthians chapters 8 & 9)
(a) 2 Corinthians 8:1-8. Contrasts the Macedonian givers to the Corinthian givers, the former having been made poor by
Roman oppression gave liberally. The Corinthians, the richest Church in Greece, gave sparingly.
(b) Giving is an attitude of grace and inner happiness rather than compulsion or the amount donated (2 Corinthians 8:2)
(c) Before money is given you must give yourself. (2 Corinthians 8:5)
(d) Giving is as important an act as any other act in the fellowship. (2 Corinthians 8:7)
(e) Giving is love giving not law giving (2 Corinthians 8:8)
(f) Giving depends on being oriented to grace, the prime example being the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians
8:9)
(g) Money given in the Lord's service must be properly administered. (2 Corinthians 8:19-21)
(h) If you give in grace you reap bountifully. If you give in legalism or with strings you reap sparingly. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
(i) How to give. Giving is a reflection of your character, by grace not habit. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
(j) God has given unto us his unspeakable Gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Peter 2:24)
(k) Giving should be regular. 1Corinthians 16:2.
(m) As we are prospered so we give: God provides the capital with which to give. 2 Corinthians 9:7-10.
(n) Mature believers are most effective givers. 2 Corinthians 9:10. Generosity of mind leads to generous giving. 2
Corinthians 9:11. Philippians 4:14-18.
(o) The pastor’s logistical support comes from giving: He makes an issue out of the word never money, if he does his
job God will provide the money. Pastor provides spiritual food and receives money for physical needs. Mutual blessing is
thus assured, as the people show their appreciation for the ministry of the word. 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, Philippians 1:3-5,
4:10, 4:14.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIVING – STEWARDSHIP
1. As all provision is from God it is the believer's duty to be a wise steward of not only his money but his time and talents.
In this manner true orientation to grace is shown.
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2. Your relationship with allocation of your talents, time and possessions to God will determine the quality of your
Christian life. Acceptance of grace as the basis of giving should become the basis of generous giving. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
3. There are five reasons for giving to the work of the Lord.
a) That God's work might be supported. (1 Timothy 5:17-18)
b) That God might be glorified. (2 Corinthians 9:12)
c) That needy saints might be provided for. (Acts 2:44-45, 11:29)
d) That other Christians might be challenged. (2 Corinthians 9:2)
e) That the giver's life might be blessed. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
4. Giving alms to the poor:
a) In the Bible, almsgiving means giving to the poor.
b) The Pharisees distorted the principle of giving by making a public display. The Lord Jesus rejected this pride.
(Matthew 6:1-4).
c) When we give alms we have to do it in secret, so that we honour God and not ourselves. (Matthew 6:1-4).
d) The giving of alms to the poor is encouraged. (Luke 12:33; Acts 10:2,4,31) and will be rewarded (Matthew 6:1-4).
CHRISTIAN LIFE – DISCIPLINE OF BELIEVERS
1. Divine discipline is the result of a believer disobeying the will of God.
2. God disciplines all true children. Those who are not true children do not know discipline. (Hebrews 12:8; 1 Peter 5:910).
3. God's discipline of believers is shown in
a) Old Testament (Proverbs 3:11,12);
b) New Testament (Hebrews 12:3-13; Revelation 3:19).
4. Attitudes towards God's discipline (Hebrews 12:3-15).
a) Think lightly of it (v 5).
b) Faint or become disheartened (v 5).
c) Endure discipline (v 7).
d) Learn and benefit from discipline. (v 11).
5. The effect of God's discipline
a) Discipline blesses the believer (Psalm 94:12)
b) Lives are changed (Hebrews 12:11)
c) It is for a limited time. (1 Peter 1:6,7)
d) It is for the believer's benefit (Hebrews 12:10)
6. The believer who refuses to repent may be disciplined to the extent of death (1 Corinthians 11:30-31, 1 John 5:16)
7. Divine discipline never implies a loss of salvation. Galatians 3:26, 2 Timothy 2:11-13.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – PRAYER
1. We may know the provision of God but we must communicate with Him in order to obtain this provision.
a) Prayer is the believer's means of communicating with God.
b) The Bible is God's way of communicating with man.
2. Promises Involving Prayer
a) Matthew 21:22 We should ask believing.
b) Matthew 18:19 The power of corporate prayer.
c) Psalm 116:1, 2 God is always available to hear our prayer.
d) Isaiah 65:24 God will answer while we are yet praying.
e) Matthew 7:7 We are commanded to pray.
f) John 14:13-14 We can ask for anything in His name.
g) Philippians 4:6 The prayer should be with thanksgiving.
h) 1 Thessalonians 5:17 We should pray without ceasing.
i) Hebrews 4:16 We can come boldly to the throne of Grace.
3. Prayer Divided into 4 Segments
a) Confession of sins (1 John 1:9)
b) Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
c) Intercession for others (Ephesians 6:18)
d) Petitions for one's own needs (Hebrews 4:16)
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4. Power of Prayer
a) Individual - Elijah and the burnt offering (1 Kings 18:36-39)
b) Corporate - the release of Peter from prison (Acts 12:1-18)
5. One Prayer that could not be Answered
The prayer of our Lord on the Cross (Psalm 22:1-18)
6. To Whom are Prayers Addressed?
a) Directed to the Father - (Matthew 6:5-9)
b) In the name of the Son - (Hebrews 7:25)
c) In the power of the Spirit - (Romans 8:26-27)
The Son (Jesus) and Spirit are interceding for us.
7. Prayers can be Divided into Petition and Desire
a) Petition - What you ask God for (e.g. a new car).
b) Desire - The desire behind the petition (e.g. happiness because you have a new car).
8. Four Possible Combinations
a) Petition answered - Desire not answered. Psalm 106:15 - The quails of the Exodus generation. 1 Samuel 8:5 - A king
to reign over Israel.
b) Petition not answered - Desire answered. Genesis 18:23 - The preservation of Sodom. 2 Corinthians 12:7 - Removal
of the thorn in Paul's side.
c) Petition answered - Desire answered. 1 Kings 18:36-37 - Elijah requests fire for the offering. Luke 23:42 -The
penitent thief's prayer. Type c) represents the perfect prayer.
d) Petition not answered - Desire not answered. Type d) unanswered prayer has 8 main reasons which are shown in
paragraph 9.
9. Reasons for Unanswered Prayer
a) Lack of belief (Matthew 21:22)
b) Selfishness (James 4:3)
c) Unconfessed sin (Psalm 66:18)
d) Lack of compassion (Proverbs 21:13)
e) Pride and self righteousness (Job 35:12-13)
f) Lack of filling of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18)
g) Lack of obedience (1 John 3:22)
h) Not in the Divine will (1 John 5:14)
Most of the reasons for unanswered prayer, is some form of sin in the life, which can be solved by confession of known
sins as per paragraph 3 a) under the concept of 1John 1:9.
10. Intercessory Prayer
a) This is one of the four factors in a prayer, which are:i) Confession of sins
ii) Thanksgiving
iii) Intercession
iv) Own needs.
b) The power of intercessory prayer is taught in (1 Kings 18:42-46) the principle being found in (James 5:16-18)
c) The power of prevailing prayer is shown in (Acts 12)
d) The prayer for the unbeliever (Romans 10:1)
e) Prayer for an unknown believer (Colossians 1:3-11)
f) Prayer for the known believer (Ephesians 1:15-23)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – REWARDS AND CROWNS
1. Rewards and Salvation are carefully separated in the scriptures. Salvation is a free gift from God, rewards are for
meritorious service in the power of the Spirit.
2. Salvation - a free gift to the lost. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23, John 4:10) - an everlasting possession. (John 3:36,
John 5:24, John 6:47)
3. Rewards - to the saved who faithfully work for the Lord. (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25, Revelation 22:12) - distributed at the
Judgment Seat of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10) which takes place after the Rapture
of the Church Revelation 19:7,8
4. Rewards are often pictured in the form of crowns:a) The incorruptible crown - for faithfulness in exercising self control. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
b) The crown of glory - for faithfulness in suffering. (1 Peter 5:4)
c) The crown of life - for faithfulness under trial. (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10)
d) The crown of righteousness - for faithful testimony. (2 Timothy 4:8)
e) The crown of rejoicing - for faithful service. (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20, Philippians 4:1
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5. Rewards come after you have entered into the Plan of God through regeneration
6. Rewards are based on the use of divine operating assets including the filling of the Holy Spirit
7. You can lose rewards but never salvation 1 Corinthians 3:14-15, 2 Timothy 2:12,13
FEAR
1. Fear is seen in two ways in scripture.
[a] Firstly as a mental attitude sin that is incompatible with our status as children of the most high, the ruler of the
universe.
[b] Secondly it is used to describe the correct attitude towards God the Lord for all his creatures.
There is godly fear, awe, and respect for God as God, and there is inappropriate fear, which is the cringing fear of one
who believes the other is able to hurt them. This second kind is wrong for us as children of God, for none can harm us
without God’s permission for we belong to Him.
2. Our occupation with the persons and majesty of God is often spoken of as “fear” in the legitimate sense for believers.
2 Samuel 23:2-3, Nehemiah 5:9, Job 28:28, Psalms 19:9, 34:11-12, 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 10:27, 22:4, Malachi
3:16, Ephesians 5:21.
3. Fear as a mental attitude sin is spoken of in, 1 Samuel 17:11, 24, Proverbs 29:25.
4. In God’s grace plan for us fear has no place. His plans for us are always divinely good, and any testing situation is for
our good. Romans 8:28.
5. Fear is an expression of a failure of faith in the plan. Exodus 14:13-14, Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 8:1, 1 Chronicles
28:20, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7.
6. Spiritual death is one way of describing Satan's kingdom and is the place of the source of fear. Hebrews 2:14,15
7. In spiritual death, Adam was afraid. Genesis 3:10, this fear motivated Adam to produce religious activity (fig leaves)
and lies. Genesis 3:7
8. Salvation removes the basis of fear, which is condemnation from the Justice of God (spiritual death).
9. Spiritual maturity provides freedom from fear. 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:6, 1 John 4:18, 1 Corinthians 13:5b
10. Carnality and any form of religious activity that leads us away from grace and daily obedience to the Word enslaves
the believer to Satan through fear. Galatians 5:1; Romans 8:15
11. The mature believer is commanded to fear nothing he may suffer in life, for by means of God’s grace provision all we
ever may need is provided for us. Revelation 2:10
12. The baby believer is sustained by believing God’s Word, obeying his commands hour by hour to daily life, and rest
upon his promises. Hebrews 4
13. As we become mature believers we continue with this resting on the promises but in addition to this we are sustained
by our understanding / application of entire categories of God’s Word - we have then moved beyond the promises to
confidence in the very character of God itself.
14. Illustration: A woman who asks every hour, "Do you love me?" needs assurance through many promises, and many
actions backing the promises up. Once she gets to truly know her husband, and her love is fully established in him
through his faithfulness to her, she has absolute assurance, and doesn't need constant reminders of his love by specific
words. She is full of confidence through knowledge of her husband’s character.
15. Chapter’s 3-6 of Hebrews deal with the falling away from growth and confidence by these believers. The spiritual
principle of Chapter 4 is the means of getting them back on target.
16. In Hebrews 13:6, we see the objective of the writer, freedom from fear by their daily, moment by moment living the
awareness of the love of Christ for them, and the power of Christ available to them.
17. The writers of Scripture identify correctly that when the believer is fearful, he imitates the unbeliever ("cowardly" –
Revelation 21:8), and that is not right given our great position. Hebrews 11:27 "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the
wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing Him who is unseen." This is our standard!
18. Fear is a mental attitude sin that shows our mind has moved away from thinking of the Lord. 1 Samuel 17:11,24
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19. Fear is a sign of falling back into domination by the “prince of this world”. 1 Samuel 18:12,29, 21:12, 28:20
20. Absence of fear is a big part of maintaining a dynamic mental attitude. Hebrews 13:6, 11:27
21. There is only one legitimate fear; it is the fear of failure to enter spiritual maturity. Hebrews 4:1
22. Love demands absence of fear. 1 John 4:18 They are two opposing mental attitudes.
23. Fear is not part of the Divine Plan for the Believer. 2 Timothy 1:7; Exodus 14:13-14; Joshua 8:1; Isaiah 41:10; 2
Samuel 1:7
24. Courage and lack of fear is a sign of mature spiritual status. Psalm 3:6, 56:3; Hebrews 11:27
25. Fear is the power by which the Evil of Satan rules among mankind. Hebrews 2:14-15; Genesis 19:30 (Lot); 1 Kings
18:9-14 (Obadiah), both Lot and Obadiah show how the failing believer lives in constant fear.
26. Fear is the word used to mean "Occupation with Christ" when related to the attitude of the mature Believer toward
Christ. 2 Samuel 23:3; Nehemiah 5:9,15; Ephesians 5:21; Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9, 34:10; Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 10:27; 1
Peter 2:17
CHRISTIAN LIFE – WALKING See page 11
LIGHT
1. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
2. The Lord is the visible manifestation of that light. (John 1:4, 8:12, 12:46)
3. The Lord's coming as the Light of the World was prophesied. (Isaiah 49:6)
4. The light was seen in the darkness of the world. (Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32)
5. The Lord brought light and immortality through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10)
6. Believers are said to be light bearers. (Matthew 5:14-16; John 12:36)
7. We are said to be the children of the light. (John 11:9-10; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 1 Peter 2:9)
8. Light is necessary for man's existence on the earth. (Ecclesiastes 11:7; Jeremiah 31:35)
9. Divine guidance of Israel was provided by God through light. (Exodus 14:20)
10. Bible doctrine in the soul is portrayed by light. (Psalm 119, 105,130)
11. The gospel is called light. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4; 2 Timothy 1:10)
12. Salvation brings the believer out of darkness into light just as the planet Earth was brought out of darkness into light
by God. (Luke 1:79; 1 Peter 2:9).
13. Satan is the distorter, the angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
14. Satan's strategy is to outshine the true light with his own false gospel. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – LOVE
1. Love for God is total appreciation for all He is and has done.
2. Words for love in Greek language
(a) eros (sexual love) not used in the New Testament
(b) storge (comradeship) not used in New Testament
(c) agape (concerned love for others, great esteem for the loved one, reverence, a love that springs from adoration and
veneration, and is a love of the will that chooses the loved one and devotes self to them to the exclusion of lesser
objects. It may mean a self denying and compassionate devotion to the loved one)
(d) phile (a love that embraces and kisses. This love is that of the affections and speaks of friendship and all one will do
for a friend).
3. Our Lord makes it clear to Peter in John 21: 15-19 that he wants Peter to love him with agape love that flows from a
deep occupation with the Lord. Agape, as a love of the will, must work out in service of the Lord, and this will express the
believers love (agape) for other believers also.
4. Do not love of the things the world has to offer 1 John 2:15-17.
5. True love of God will always lead to love of the brethren. 1 John 1:3 -11, 1 John 3:1-3, 10, 4:7 -12, 19,
6. Love is expressed in worship and in service. 1 John 5:1-5.
7. Love for God will flow and grow from knowledge of his word. 1 Corinthians 2:9.
8. This deep love will be expressed in witness for the Lord to others, 2 Corinthians 5:14.
9. God loves every believer with perfect and unchanging love because we are united with His beloved Son.
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10. It is also noted that the unbeliever has “agape” love for darkness rather than light John 3:19
11. Love for others is an important feature of the Christian life.
12. There are three types of love:(a) love for God.
(b) love for your spouse.
(c) love for other members of the human race.
13. It should be noted that only in type (b) is the body involved. The rest involve the soul or soul and spirit only.
14. Love For God
(a) Love for God is a response to the love of God. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
(b) The capacity for this love depends on your maturity. ( Philippians 1:20,21; Ephesians 3:17-19; 1 John 4:17-18)
(c) For the Church age believer love for God occurs first through the filling of the Spirit. Confession of sin is therefore
critically important. (Ephesians 5:2, c/f 5:18)
(d) Jesus Christ is the initiator of love of God through grace. (Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 4:8-10; 4:19)
(e) The believer loves God using his free will.
(f) The believer who does not love Christ is under a special curse and perpetual discipline. (1 Corinthians 16:22)
(g) Love for God is the true motivator for working for God such as witnessing. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
(h) This love is initiated by grace and increased in the believer who has a gracious attitude towards God and mankind.
(Daniel 9:4; Psalm 31:23; 119:132; 1 Corinthians 2:9)
(i) Love for God was commanded to all Old Testament saints. (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12; 11:1; 11:13)
(j) Love for God is the basis of all true happiness as well as capacity for loving members of the human race.
(Deuteronomy 30:16)
(k) Love for God provides courage in battle. (Joshua 23:10-11)
(l) As we see God through his Word it is impossible to love God except through his Word. ( Ps 119:165-167, 1 Peter 1:8)
15. Love For Your Spouse
(a) This is love for a member of the opposite sex designed by God for you in eternity past unless you have the gift of
celibacy. (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)
(b) It is as strong as death and is a provision from God.
(c) Death does not destroy this love. (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)
(d) This type of love is exclusive to one person. (Proverbs 5:18-19)
(e) This type of love is protective both in absence (Song of Solomon 1:13, 4:6) and in presence. (Song of Solomon 2:4)
The man is a banner of protection to the woman.
(f) Love for your spouse illustrates relationships with the Lord. (Ezekiel 16:8, Ephesians 5:23-33)
(g) Mental sins attack all forms of love. (1 John 5:18)
(h) God has set aside time in each life for love. (Ecclesiastes 3:8)
16. Love For Others
(a) Love for others has great stability and power. (2 Samuel 1:26, Proverbs 27:9,10, John 15:13, Galatians 5:4)
(b) Love for others provides pleasant and relaxing environment. (Romans 13:10, Proverbs 10:12)
(c) Love for others is free from hypocrisy. (Romans 12:9)
(d) Love for others is outgoing and objective. (Galatians 5:13, 2 Samuel 1:26)
(e) Love for others promotes orientation to grace. (Philemon 9-12)
(f) Love for others has enemies and can be destroyed by:(i) Mental attitude sins. (Job 19:19, Proverbs 16:28)
(ii) Sins of the tongue. (Proverbs 17:9)
(iii) National catastrophe. (Jeremiah 6:21-23, 20:4-6)
(g) Love for others can be counterfeited. (Proverbs 19:6-7)
(h) Love for others can be removed because of divine discipline. (Psalm 38:11, 88:18)
17. We are recipients of Gods love (AGAPE=ultimate concern) through the cross. 1 John 4:10,19, John 3:16.
18. We must give out the gospel to all that they might see Gods love towards them Matthew 28:18-20.
19. Our attitudes to one another should show Gods love in action. 1 John 4:12, John 13:35.
20. Love is commanded of all believers towards other believers, John 13:34, 1John 4:7,8, Philippians 2:2-8.
21. This only becomes possible as we grow in Christ, as his word changes our minds giving us the capacity for love.
1Peter 3:18. Love is a fruit of the Spirit.
22. Agape love in the believer puts the eternal issues of the other persons life ahead of all else, so that all is done to
them with their eternal state in mind. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
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23. We show our love towards believers by our practical concern for their spiritual growth and physical welfare. 2
Thessalonians 3:15, James 5:13-16, 1 Timothy 5:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-24.
24. We have strength to love others through the word in which we see that we are under the much more love of God: We
are in the beloved and the beloved is in us, we are always recipients of His love. Romans 8:37, John 13:1, 20:2, 21:7,20,
15:9, Ephesians 2:4, 5:2, 25, Revelation 1:5.
ANGER
1. The explosion of uncontrolled anger is always wrong. Titus 1:7.
2. Exploding does not solve the problem. Only a fool gives way to anger. Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs
15:28.
3. Anger in itself isn't necessarily wrong. There are some things that we should be angry at, like injustice, evil, sin, etc.
God is righteously angry at sin constantly. Psalms 7:11, John 2:17, Mark 3:5.
4. We should learn to deal with anger without sin getting hold of us. Ephesians 4:26. Anger must be examined, analysed,
and dealt with properly so that what caused the anger is being faced and solved.
5. Any anger that has no legitimate source in righteousness must be confessed in accordance with 1 John 1:9 as the sin
it is.
6. If the anger has a legitimate source (namely, it is anger at something that God hates also), then the believer is faced
with the task of working out what God would have him/her do to follow God's prescription to face the issue.
CHAPTER 4
INTRODUCTION
This chapter begins with more pleadings on the part of the author-father to his sons. His desperate tone is a portent of
things to come. He doubts his sons will obey his words, and he has good reason to do so. People will always be more
influenced by our deeds than by our words. The old English saying comes to mind, “I can’t hear what you are saying,
because what you are doing is so clearly before me”. When we have to plead with passionate enthusiasm for a logical
path, it is normally because logic is not the normal path for decisions in the family.
Solomon’s very passion at this point, and his clear worry for his son’s decision making ability betray the real state of
affairs in his household. Keep remembering that Proverbs is a complex book because of the state of its author and his
failure to follow through on his own advice. The later authors (probably Ezra and/or the prophets of his day) want us to
recall the fate of Solomon and his sons as we read this good advice that they all ignored to their own and their nation’s
peril.
Solomon hopes the boys will follow his doctrines, for they are indeed good doctrines, but his house and his kingdom are
doomed because his example to his sons is so bad. He is not a hypocrite in these words, for he genuinely believes them
at this point, and so he should, for they are true. He is becoming however simply a political man, who will make more and
more decisions on the basis of political expediency rather than godly policy. Over time he will be undone.
He has married too many beautiful women for “political purposes”, and his enemies and his friends understand his
weakness for women all too well and they feed it. Solomon is weak and they all see his weakness. As a result of not
facing it and dealing with it, he will stagger down the path of sexual pleasure, pleading with his sons not to follow him as
he goes. Let us be warned by the teaching as well as the stupid antics of this man; “lust doth make fools of us all”.
PROVERBS 4:1-27
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine,
forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He
taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get
wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and
she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get
wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee
to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory
shall she deliver to thee. 10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. 11 I
have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be
straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep
her; for she is thy life. 14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it,
pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their
sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine
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of violence. 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 20 My son, attend to my words;
incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for
out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let
thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all
thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 4. “1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.”
Close attention to teaching is needed in order to gain understanding. We must be able to concentrate and be open to
changing our beliefs and thinking processes in order to really learn. Flexibility is needed to learn new things, for at times
we have to cast away old preconceptions and also the things taught to us by fools in the past. An absolute commitment
to logical processing of data is required in order to really grow in understanding of any subject. The study of doctrine is
no different, but there is a major advantage to the believer for we have the Holy Spirit as our teacher and corrector within
the soul.
Stability for a child is based in the relationship they have with their parents or care givers. It doesn’t need to be our
biological parents to give stability, but the father and mother role models need to be devoted and consistent in their
loving care. If children feel loved in their family, and there is emotional and physical security there, they will tend to grow
up emotionally stable. If there is anger, alcoholism, fornication, divorce, abuse, rage, or constant instability of physical
situation, then they will grow up emotionally unstable, and that instability will tend to be life long, unless stabilised later by
the Holy Spirit.
The psychologists used to call such people “neurotic”, because they were scrambled in their “nous” (the Greek word for
mind and soul). The only hope for the once scrambled child is to be “born again” and grow up again in the spiritual realm
under the loving care of their heavenly father and the education of the Holy Spirit. If it has taken twenty years to scramble
someone in their family or origin it may take an equal time to unscramble them in their born again family, so be patient
with those scrambled in their pagan past.
The only hope for those who have had scrambled childhoods is to find a new family and a new father. That is what we
call being “BORN AGAIN”. John 3:3-18. The gifts given at salvation to every new believer are designed by God to make
up for the lack of stability provided by their natural childhood. God’s provision for us as his children is perfect, even
though our parents may have been inadequate or destructive.
God gives at least 34 things to assist us to recover stability and advance from the firm foundation of the Cross into our
new life of service for the Lord. Once again, we are reminded that we are now walking “up hill” and it will be a hard march
at times, but we have been fully equipped by the Lord for this march and can be encouraged to keep on advancing. The
role of the pastor is to encourage the believers in their struggle forwards, and we do that by urging believers at all times
to “retain” the truth of God in their hearts and add to it daily by Bible study and prayerful application. Spiritual growth is
the only way to maintain momentum on our advance. Once again, as pastors we are to be patient with those who have
been seriously damaged by their pagan past.
Verses 5 – 9. “5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”
Wisdom and understanding are there to “get”, and we are to be “hungry” for it, and daily “go for it”. The beginning of real
wisdom is the understanding that wisdom is to be strived for with all your strength. Spiritual growth, and the
understanding of God’s Word, needs to be the highest priority in the believer's life. Believers are called to love the Word
of God above all people and things, for it opens the door to genuinely loving people, and to correctly valuing all things.
This is not worship of the Bible, but it is loving with all your heart what the Bible teaches, and the Bible teaches the
character and plan of God. Loving the Word of God is equivalent to loving God, for the Word reveals God to us. We don’t
worship the Bible, we worship the one the Bible opens up our understanding to have a relationship with. It is Bible
doctrine that blesses all believers who hungrily take it in. It is our understanding of what is written in its pages that opens
the doors of spiritual blessing for us and all we serve.
Verses 10 – 13. “10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”
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Long life is the promise here for those who hear and obey the Word of God. Pause and reflect upon this and examine
your own life experiences in the light of this claim. To heed the Word of God and follow after the policies of God means
that the person involved is kept by the Holy Spirit. They will live right up until the moment they are meant to die. It means
they will serve the Lord in focused power and reap eternal rewards. It means they will die at the right time and have
DYING GRACE. Psalms 68:20, 116:15, Jeremiah 15:1, 24:4-7.
Long life does not mean length of days only; it means fullness of days. Many die very old in years but very young in spirit,
and with little to show for their long life. Sheer length of days is not a fulfilment of this promise, but real production in life
is the fulfilment of this promise. A man or woman who served the Lord fully through their life have “many” fruitful days,
and this is the measure of a “long” life.
I have seen many men and women get to advanced ages. I have seen many reach their eighties and nineties and yet
they have achieved little except the accumulation of material things and pagan descendents. I have had to clear up the
houses of those who lived well beyond their 70 th year and it has been a sad experience as I have had to go through so
much rubbish that was clung to by them as if it mattered. These people lived long, but they “stumbled” through their
years and achieved little if anything for their Lord.
Others walked off the path and so they died young in disgrace, or with a wasted life at the end. I have buried a number of
friends I was saved with by this stage in my life. These foolish men walked according to their lusts or fears and stumbled
into death early. The doctrines of the Word of God when applied keep us from such disasters. Only Bible Doctrine keeps
us from an early death. God will keep us safe if we obey His words and make His instruction a part of our daily life. To
turn away from Bible doctrine is to turn into the path of death.
Verses 14 – 17. “14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to
fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.”
The positive side of the advice to young believers is cling to the Word of God and learn the doctrines within it. Walk the
path of God alone and be safe in all your days! The negative side of the advice is now given again. There is a path to
walk and there is a path to avoid. The orders pile up here on top of one another. Solomon is urgent in his repetitive
appeals to his sons to walk away, resist, reject, enter not, turn away, and pass away from the paths of evil.
He understood their subtle power for he himself was falling under their spell even as he wrote this advice. He was still on
the right path as he wrote these words, but the spell of evil and the attractive power of lust was starting to undermine his
resolve to hold his path for God. Do not under-estimate the power of evil to destroy all that is good if it can. Believers
learn discernment through the systematic study of Bible Doctrine or they are destroyed due to their lack of doctrinal
discernment.
Solomon understood that evil people love to see others fall. This is something that many do not see because they do not
want to recognise such malice in their rose coloured world. It is a fatal error of judgement to reject this insight into the evil
of men who are sold out to the Devil. Just a fortnight ago I sat with an older mother who wept over the death of her thirty
year old alcoholic daughter. The younger woman had faced her alcoholism and had been to rehab, and had done well
there, but she had made “friends” there and two of them came around to “celebrate” her birthday with her.
She had no discernment about these ‘friends”. They brought alcohol and drinking it with them killed her. They of course
attended her funeral and wept crocodile tears. They didn’t mean to kill her they said, and they didn’t, but the malice of
evil is murderous far beyond the conscious intentions of the fools who are deceived by Satan. We must be discerning,
and we will only gain this by means of bible doctrine. If we fail to gain this wisdom our ignorance will kill us eventually; it
is just a matter of time.
Verses 18 – 21. “18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.”
We are meant to be LIGHT to the world. Matthew 5:13-16. The reason we are still alive today is in order that we might
give light to those in the darkness of sin and evil. Mankind without Christ is without hope, without purpose and without
eternal life. We are tasked by the Lord to show them the light to get them to the place of safety. Like the lighthouse we
are to draw people to a safe passage through the reefs of Satan.
Satan wants to make shipwreck of every person’s life. Our task, and it is one we are responsible to the Lord for, is to
keep all we can from shipwreck by telling them the truth! The only way to eliminate darkness is to turn the light on. The
light is the light of God’s Word, and our job is to teach and preach it with power. We are to keep the source of light deep
within our heart, so that it can be the examiner of our deepest motivations, and then we are to let it shine to all men and
women we meet. 2 Corinthians 4:6, Philippians 2:15, Hebrews 4:12.
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Verses 22 – 26. “22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.”
Bible Doctrine is life if you let it take over your heart. It will lead you to blessing and purposeful activity. If we let the Word
take over our thinking and the Holy Spirit purify our emotions and motivation we will have a clear and powerful life.
Through Bible Doctrine we will have a purpose and the power to achieve that purpose.
The promises of God are clear; we will have the best health we can have when we walk as He orders us to walk. We will
have the safest path through life when we walk as He orders us to walk. We will have the longest and most blessed life
when we walk as He orders us to walk. Be absolutely clear about my use of the term “order”, for we are under God’s
orders like all soldiers of a mighty army. We are called to obedience and commitment, and anything short of that is
simply not good enough for soldiers in the Lord’s Army. Let us be rebuked for any previous slackness and commit to
drive forward as the soldiers the Lord has called us to be.
Like all soldiers, we are to have eyes for our Commanding Officer only and respect His orders and praise alone; nothing
else is to distract us from total service to Him. We are to control our tongue and not use bad words, and we are to keep
our eyes under control and not let them wander lustfully after others persons or goods. We are to not let our eyes lust for
sex, for money, or for any thing other than the will of the Lord in our life. We are to walk thoughtfully through this life and
prayerfully follow the Lord’s will for our life.
As we walk following Bible Doctrine we will be established and stabilised and prosper in all we do. We are to make no
excuses for any lust based activity, we are to resist and reject them, and focus our eyes on the task the Lord has for us
to achieve and in His power achieve it. There is no room for wimping out in the Lord’s service; we are to be strong in the
power of the Holy Spirit and take on the enemy, and achieve God’s objectives.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Shakespeare was wrong. Love doesn’t make fools of us all, but lust certainly does. EMOTIONS are meant to be
enjoyed or challenged; they are never meant to be our guide to anything except our appetites. Solomon followed his lusts
and they killed him and his kingdom. Let us be warned by history and thereby save ourselves the stupidity of repeating it.
Lusts are to be challenged before they destroy us. Refer below to the study of CHRISTIAN CBT.
2.
We have everything we need to live the Christian Life through the things the Lord has already given us at
Salvation. The Holy Spirit is within all believers to assist them move forward as they devote themselves to study of God’s
Word and its daily application into their lives. As pastors let us encourage the Lord’s people to advance in spirit and in
truth and let us ensure that we preach and teach every day we can to provide every encouragement we can. The Lord
holds us responsible for this work or encouragement and leadership in the Word.
3.
We are called to stoke the fire of spiritual revival in our land. We stoke the fire by opening the Word of God and
thereby letting the Holy Spirit of God loose upon and within His people. Let us commit ourselves to stoking the fires of
God in our land and beyond it by teaching the living Word of God with Holy Spirit power. We are called to be strong in the
power of the Lord, not wimps under the control of our Old Sin Nature.
4.
It is not length of days that we ought to value upon this earth, but the fullness of our days of service upon this
earth. Let us make every day a day filled to the brim with service for our Lord. Let us not add empty days together and
call it a life, but see that life is to be poured out in the service of the Lord. That poured out life is the full life, and that is
the “many days” of blessing that is the promise of the Word of God. Let us preach fullness for our days upon the earth;
fullness of service for the Lord.
DOCTRINES
CHRISTIAN CBT – COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY ACCORDING TO ST PAUL
1. ROMANS 7:14-25
THE “WRETCHED MAN” – FACING OUR SINFUL REALITY
Unless we face the facts about our need of a Saviour and our daily need to deal with our sins (1 John 1:9) we live a lie
and are open to deception from all sources; human and angelic.
2. ROMANS 8:1-18
THE GLORY OF KNOWING THE POWER OF THE INDWELLING CHRIST.
There is hope for all who face the facts of their Old Sin Nature and the greater power of the indwelling Lord and Holy
Spirit, 1 John 4:4-6, for then we are “plugged into” the power for spiritual victory)
3. EPHESIANS 4:20-32
PUTTING OFF THE OLD AND PUTTING ON THE NEW
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4. COLOSSIANS 3:8-16
PUTTING OFF AND PUTTING ON
Our old behaviour patterns are the result of our early childhood and adolescent “programming” and the choices we have
made later. All of this has been laid over our genetic strengths and weaknesses (our Old Sin Nature), but in Christ, and
through the Holy Spirit’s power we can re-program our inner computer and think as the Lord intends. God’s challenge is
to replace our old patterns of thinking with his way of thinking.
5. EPHESIANS 5:17-29
THE RELATIONSHIP OVERFLOW OF THIS CBT TOOL
6. COLOSSIANS 3:17—19
RELATIONSHIP OVERLFOW OF CBT
If the Holy Spirit is active in our life there will be evidence of it in our daily walk through life, and especially in our
relationships with loved ones and others we meet. No change = no Spirit! Love will be the overflow of the Holy Spirit’s
presence, and we build up the power of love in our life, as we have seen in 1 John 4, by praise and prayer to the Lord
reflecting on his love for us.
7. PHILIPPIANS 3:10-17 -
FORGETTING THE PAST AND FOCUSING FORWARD
It is not a “one shot decision” to make changes in our life patterns, for the old patterns are tenacious. They must be
identified, understood, targeted and replaced. Then we must rebuild new patterns through the Holy Spirit’s work upon the
Word of God applied into our life, to firmly establish and live and celebrate daily in the new life we now have.
8. PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
THE NEGATIVES FROM LIFE
FILLING THE MIND WITH POSITIVE THOUGHT PROCESSES SQUEEZING OUT
The mind acts like a vacuum; it will suck in all evil around if there is not positive pressure from good working out from the
centre of our being. We squeeze evil out by leaving no room within for it to grow. As we fill our waking moments in praise
of God’s goodness we squeeze evil thoughts out.
9. COLOSSIANS 2:20-22 -
SAYING NO TO THE “EASY FIX” OF LEGALISM
The great “cons” of Satan are initially focused on down playing sin and evil so that believers are neutralized by them
uncontrolled within their lives, but if that fails he has an even better plan to neutralize the grace of God within us. This
plan is the “super-spiritual” plan of legalism, whereby foolish men get to feel really superior because their sins are more
refined than their neighbours! Legalism is false spirituality that feeds of the great sin of pride and arrogance, the very
opposite of God’s grace and mercy, and the complete opposite of the servant heart of the Lord Jesus. Matthew 7:15-20.
God’s grace, mercy and love are the antidote to all of Satan’s lies. Reflect upon them and praise Him.
SALVATION – REGENERATION: BORN AGAIN
1. General Scripture - (John 3:5-8) 'Ye must be born again [born from above] (v7). You are born of the Spirit. (v8) We
then become new creatures in Christ.
2. Natural man cannot understand spiritual phenomenon (1 Corinthians 2:14). He lacks the ability to enter the Kingdom
of God. (John 3:5). They are unable to please God. (Romans 8:7, 8)
3. New birth is a creation of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10, 4:24). Through the Holy
Spirit we become aware that we are joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:16, 17)
4. The requirement for the new birth is belief on Christ, that He is crucified and risen. (John 1:12, 3:16-18,36). New birth
occurs at the instant of belief.
5. Through new birth (Regeneration) the believer lives in Christ, and Christ in the believer. (Galatians 2:20, Ephesians
2:10, 4:24, 1 Peter 1:23-25, 1 John 5:10-12).
6. Once you are born you cannot be unborn.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIFTS GIVEN AT SALVATION (34 THINGS)
Listed below are the 34 things God provides for every believer at the point of salvation.
1. In the eternal plan of God. (Sharing the destiny of Christ)
a) Foreknown (Acts 2:23, Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 1:2)
b) Elect (Romans 8:33, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Titus 1:1
c) Predestined (Romans 8:29, 30, Ephesians 1:5, 11)
d) Chosen (Matthew 22:14, 1 Peter 2:4)
e) Called (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
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2. Reconciled
a) By God (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19, Colossians 1:20)
b) To God. (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 2:14-17)
3. Redeemed (Romans 3:24, Colossians 1:14, 1 Peter 1:18)
4. Condemnation removed. (John 3:18, 5:24, Romans 8:1)
5. Under Grace instead of judgement; God is satisfied with the death of His Son. (Romans 3:24-26, 1 John 2:2)
6. All sins judged by the death of Christ. (Romans 4:25, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 2:24)
7. Dead to old life - alive to God.
a) Crucified with Christ. (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20)
b) Dead with Christ. (Romans 6:8, Colossians 3:3, 1 Peter 2:24)
c) Buried with him. (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12)
d) Raised with Christ. (Romans 6:4, Colossians 3:1)
8. Free from the law.
a) Dead. (Romans 7:4)
b) Delivered. (Romans 6:14, 7:6, 2 Corinthians 3:11, Galatians 3:25)
9. Regenerated. (John 13:10, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:5)
a) Born again. (John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:23)
b) Children of God. (Galatians 3:26)
c) Sons of God. (John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 6:18, 1 John 3:2)
d) A new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15, Ephesians 2:10)
10. Adopted. (Romans 8:15, 8:23 (future) Ephesians 1:5)
11. Acceptable to God. (Ephesians 1:6, 1 Peter 2:5)
a) Made righteous (Romans 3:22, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9)
b) Sanctified positionally. (1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:11)
c) Perfected forever. (Hebrews 10:14)
d) Made meet (qualified) (Colossians 1:12)
12. Justified (declared righteous). (Romans 3:24, 5:1, 5:9, 8:30, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:7)
13. Forgiven all trespasses. (Ephesians 1:7, 4:32, Colossians 1:14, 2:13, 3:13)
14. Made nigh. (Heavenly citizenship based on reconciliation) (Luke 10:20, Ephesians 2:13, 19)
15. Delivered from the kingdom of Satan. (Colossians 1:13, 2:15)
16. Transferred into God's kingdom. (Colossians 1:13)
17. On a secure foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:11, 10:4, Ephesians 2:20)
18. A gift from God the Father to Christ. (John 10:29, 17:2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24)
19. Delivered from the power of the sin nature. (Romans 2:29, Colossians 2:11)
20. Appointed priests unto God.
a) Holy priesthood. (1 Peter 2:5)
b) Royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6)
21. Under the care of God as a chosen generation and a peculiar people. (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9)
22. Given access to God. (Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:18, Hebrews 4:14, 16, 10:19, 20)
23. Within the "much more" care of God. (Romans 5:9, 10)
a) Objects of His love. (Ephesians 2:4, 5:2)
b) Objects of His grace.
i) For salvation. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
ii) For keeping. (1 Peter 1:5)
iii) For service (John 17:18)
iv) For instruction (Titus 2:12)
c) Objects of His power. (Ephesians 1:19, Philippians 2:13)
d) Objects of His faithfulness. (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 13:5,6)
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e) Objects of His peace. (John 14:27)
f) Objects of His consolation. (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
g) Objects of His intercession. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25)
24. God's inheritance (Possession). (Ephesians 1:18)
25. Beneficiaries of an inheritance as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17, Ephesians 1:14 Colossians
3:24, Hebrews 9:15, 1 Peter 1:4)
26. A new position. (Ephesians 2:6)
a) Partners with Christ in life. (Colossians 3:4)
b) Partners with Christ in service. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
c) Workers together with God. (1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 6:1)
d) Ministers of the New Testament. (2 Corinthians 3:6)
e) Ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
f) Living epistles. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
g) Ministers of God. (2 Corinthians 6:4)
27. Recipients of eternal life. (John 3:15, 10:28, 20:31, 1 John 5:11, 12)
28. Members of the family and household of God. (Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 2:19)
29. Light in the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:4)
30. United to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
a) In God. (1 Thessalonians 1:1) of "God in you" (Ephesians 4:6)
b) In Christ. (John 14:20 of "Christ in you" Colossians 1:27)
i) A member in His body. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
ii) A branch in the vine. (John 15:5)
iii) A stone in the building. (Ephesians 2:21, 22, 1 Peter 2:5)
iv) A sheep in the flock. (John 10:27-29)
v) A part of His bride. (Ephesians 5:25)
vi) A priest of the kingdom of priests. (1 Peter 2:9)
vii) A saint of the "new species". (2 Corinthians 5:17)
c) In the Spirit. (Romans 8:9) of "the Spirit in you"
31. Recipients of the ministries of the Holy Spirit.
a) Born of the Spirit. (John 3:6)
b) Baptised with the Spirit. (Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13)
c) Indwelt by the Spirit. (John 7:39, Romans 5:5, 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Galatians 4:6, 1 John 3:24)
d) Sealed by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 4:30)
e) Given spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:11, 27-31, 13:1, 2)
32. Glorified. (Romans 8:30)
33. Complete in Him. (Colossians 2:10)
34. Possessors of every spiritual blessing provided in eternity past. (Ephesians 1:3)
DYING GRACE
1. We are all here upon the earth as in a “strange country”; we are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth, and are not
meant to be too comfortable here. Philippians 3:12-17, Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11.
2. Death is the strangest thing we confront on this earth; the weirdness of being here one minute, alive, alert and warm,
then a second later, dead, cooling and inert. Death is meant to appear strange to us, for it is the evidence before us that
we are not permanent inhabitants here, but simply playing out a part as we pass through. This is not a place we are
meant to get attached to. Refer Death.
3. The death of believers is a precious thing to the God who has given his life to save us from the judgement of sin and
death. 1 Samuel 26:21, 2 Kings 1:13-14, Psalms 49:8, 72:14, 116:15, 1 Peter 1:7, 2:4. Refer Grace.
4. We all must die, but that is not the end. 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 11:13. The mature believers facing death see
through it, to the other side where they meet with the Lord face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.
5. Dying grace is provided to all believers who are looking to their Lord as they die, for his perfect provision for each of us
from eternity past has everything we need provided in advance of our life, let alone our death itself. There are no
surprises to God, and all things we face have provision for them there to be claimed by faith. 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2
Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Peter 2:9, Jude 24-25.
LIGHT See page 40
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CHAPTER 5
INTRODUCTION
Sexual sin is the most publicly recognised of Satan’s tactics to destroy foolish men and women. Sexual desire is the
most powerful of all human desires and if it is not controlled and channelled into healthy marital life it will bring
destruction and carnage in its wake. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 7:1-16. The deceptive power of sexual lust makes evil appear
good and a destructive path appear a good choice. I pick up the carnage of extra-marital affairs daily in my counselling
practise as people confront their lust driven foolishness and the great hurt that it has caused, even to the suicide of their
children and ex-partners. Sexual sins are the easiest of the battlefield areas where Satan is able to destroy lives, and as
pastors we must confront this openly, honestly and thoroughly in our preaching.
Solomon understands seduction because he has been seduced so many times, so can we take this man seriously
knowing this was his area of weakness, and knowing how destructive to his family and nation was his sexual appetite?
This man really understood this subject and he gives an insight into the dynamics and mechanics of seduction that is
more accurate than any text book I have ever studied. Solomon was proved a fool by failing to guard himself here, but at
least he has left us a “fools guide” to keep us safe. Let us see his words and weigh them carefully remembering that he
made a complete ass of himself in this area, and let us be determined to follow his words but not his actions.
PROVERBS 5:1-23
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: 2 That thou mayest regard
discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. 3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and
her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go
down to death; her steps take hold on hell. 6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable,
that thou canst not know them. 7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my
mouth. 8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9 Lest thou give thine honour
unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the
house of a stranger; 11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12 And say,
How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and
assembly. 15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. 16 Let thy
fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. 17 Let them be only thine own, and not
strangers' with thee. 18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19 Let her be as the
loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? 21 For
the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. 22 His own iniquities shall
take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. 23 He shall die without instruction;
and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 - 6. “1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them”.
Solomon is urgent in his appeal to his sons, for he knows they must build discernment about the sexual temptations that
will come to them as princes. They need to know what they are seeing and hearing, and not be fooled by others. They
must also “keep their lips” and not give themselves away within two seconds of meeting someone also. The Greeks had
a saying, “Speak friend, that I might know you”. It sums up a very important principle that every leader must know.
What we say and what we don’t say at a meeting are equally important. We must know when to speak in a meeting, and
when to be silent about a matter that another person raises. There are subjects raised in discussion that require quiet
reflection, not a “shooting from the hip” answer. We must “keep our lips” until we are sure of our facts and then speak
fearlessly the truth. The strength of our truth telling must always be matched by the strength of our self control. We must
say no hasty words that cannot be taken back.
Solomon now moves to his target subject. It is the subject of the seductress who is out to become a princess in name,
but who will remain a controlling personality disorder in character. Solomon is helping us spot this sort of woman, and the
sad truth is, he was the expert in “personality disorders” and he married large numbers of them. Now at this point I must
call you to pay careful attention to what I am about to say. Solomon was a “fool” in this area, but in his foolishness he has
good insight and is honest about his failures. In the “Song of Solomon” he is even more blunt about his failure in the area
of Marriage.
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Now, let us pause and reflect upon human weakness and the way it develops into a personality disorder. All of us have
Old Sin Nature (OSN) areas of strength and weakness. We inherit these from our parents, but we build upon them, or
control them by our daily life choices. If we feed a weakness it becomes a disorder, and literally disorders our future life.
There is remedy for all these things, but only through the power of God working “one day at a time” to allow the Holy
Spirit to wrest control back from the OSN.
Misery loves company, and with personality disordered people they love the company of their opposite disorder. If you
are counselling people who are complaining about the “disordered” nature of their partner’s behaviours you must
remember this. If a person marries or even dates for any time, a personality disordered partner, then there is one thing
you can be sure of; that person has a mirror disorder of some sort to the person they are attracted to. The unstable, so
called “borderline” disorders are always drawn to Obsessive Compulsives (who they think can pay their exorbitant bills),
or to Narcissists, who believe they can “tame them”.
Personality disorders never present alone, and the person complaining about their partner’s behaviours is just trying to
hide their own disorder from you. Relax and let them talk and they will disclose it to you over time. The only solution for
these people is long and painful re-education at the hands of the Holy Spirit. They believe they are special and so forget
them consistently listening to you or any other mere human being! Solomon is a thorough Narcissist and this weakness
destroys him and his nation over time, but at the time of writing Proverbs and Song of Solomon he has not fallen totally
into that weakness, and so has enough insight to give us a good warning about the dynamics of these people.
These are deep disorders. If these people are changed it is by the Lord alone, and it is rare for them to totally change,
and most problems in churches are caused by them. Even when dramatically saved these people are difficult, because
their patterns of sin are so deep. Only a thorough daily walk with the Holy Spirit transforms them over a number of years,
and few persevere to be really safe and trustworthy. Do not trust people. The Lord didn’t for good reasons, and John
records the truth to save us from foolishness. John 2:24-25.
The danger from these people in the church is severe but Solomon’s concern is the direct assault by some of these
women on his sons to sexually seduce them, and then spit them out like chewed meat in the end. His description of the
seducer is well drawn. These are people who are not what they seem to be. They are nearly always initially “too good to
be true”, and that is just because they are too good to be true! They are people who know how to make themselves to be
exactly what they believe their target will be vulnerable to.
The lipstick of the ancient world was honey and other oils, and the seductress is using both lip stick and a mouth wash
that makes her breath sweet and her mouth smooth to the touch and pleasant to the taste. Solomon warns his son, that
she is not what she appears to be, for she is far from smooth; she is as sharp as a sword and it will run the careless man
through. She is sweet to taste initially, but she is “wormwood” and will set her target’s teeth on edge after a short time.
She opens a door of pleasure, but it leads directly to hell itself, and the only end to following her is a horrible death from
sexually transmitted diseases.
Verses 7 – 11. “7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,”
I remember an amusing talk with a man who was having difficulty dealing with a sexual temptation. He said that he found
it particularly hard dealing with the temptation in certain places. As we analysed each of these places they were places
where he didn’t have to put himself! He had not made “straight paths for his feet”. Hebrews 12:13. There are places we
need to avoid if we want to keep ourselves safe from temptations.
Being in a bar is a bad place to fight the temptation to alcoholism. Sexual temptations are best not fought in a place with
scantily dressed members of the opposite sex are dancing around you. There are some public places in our modern
world that all believers need to avoid because they are overtly pagan and if we are there, we will have open invitations to
evil behaviours surrounding us. Evil people also spot a believer quickly and may target you demonically for death. Do
not play in the devil’s playground unless you seek death or disgrace. This has always been the case in all societies
through history, and each generation of believer needs to sit down, reflect, and think before going to some places and
engaging in some activities.
Solomon urges his sons to be discerning about where they go, and the situations they place themselves in the midst of.
Sexual sins with a seductress could also lead to greater problems than just more sin. They could lead to a fine by the
husband, who may be in on a scam that his wife runs to entice foolish and wealthy men and then blackmail them into
paying a ransom for their reputation to be kept. They could also lead to murder in the ancient world, as the stupid
adulterer was entering another man’s house and he could be killed there by another relative of the owner. They could
also lead to sexually transmitted diseases that would kill the man slowly over time in great agony and shame.
Verses 12 – 14. “12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.”
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The worst thing about being found out in a sin is the humiliation of knowing that you had been warned and the
foolishness of your actions were well known in advance. There is a double discipline to every stupid act; the punishment
itself and the regret and humiliation of being caught out in your own stupidity.
The deep regrets are wasted by this point, for the man has publicly humiliated himself by his being shown a fornicator,
and the family of the woman will demand public satisfaction. In front of his whole community he is proved a fool and he
has no social standing now at all. The humiliation is life long, for all people know him to be a fool from this time on in his
life. He is permanently humiliated. The only way out of this is public confession, repentance, penitence, and then
restoration by some civic “good works” action over time.
This was seen in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with the then Minister of War, John Profumo, being found with
prostitutes and was dismissed form his post. He lost everything, but publicly confessed and accepted his guilt and set
about to make amends. He devoted himself to social work with troubled youth and finally was rehabilitated to the
government in the 1990s by an award of the MBE for his services. His thirty years of penitence reaped its civil reward.
Solomon is trying to save his son that time frame of social work to win back a reputation that is lost in such a short time
frame for such temporary and dangerous pleasure.
Verses 15 - 17. “15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee”.
Rather than chasing other men’s wives and mistresses the prince of Israel is urged to find his sexual pleasure with his
own “right woman” and to enjoy her love and sexuality. He is encouraged in very poetic language to keep sexuality within
the sacred bonds of marriage, and let the blessing of that union be seen in the streets by the relaxed and moral good
works that flow from that marriage relationship. He is encouraged to restrict his sexual activity to his wife alone and not
share her with any stranger, nor take any strange woman to his bed. Marital fidelity is being strongly urged here as the
biblical standard for safety and joy in life.
Verses 18 – 20. “18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished
always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?”
The fountain here speaks of sexual joy in the marriage, and the sole source of sexual joy is to be within marriage. The
Bible is absolutely clear about this; there is no sexually safe joy in any other relationship than between a right man and
his right woman. All other relationships are doomed to physical, sexual and emotional destruction. The joy of sexual love
is a wonderful thing and the scripture here and in other places rejoices in sexual play between a husband and wife.
Sexual activity between a husband and wife is to be regular and mutually satisfying. 1 Corinthians 7:2-5. If it is not
positive, then both are to take any action, and seek the help they need to fully satisfy the other. Sex is to be “other
focused”. Satanic sexual temptations are focused on self satisfaction, whereas God made our true sexual natures to
please and bring joy to the other person. Marriage is meant to be a focused loving of the other person in such a way as
to bring joy to them and therefore bring joy back to yourself. All self centred pleasure, taking from others for your own
ends, has Satan as its source.
Verses 21 – 23. “21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray”.
God sees man’s foolishness in this sexual area. Nothing is hidden from the Lord and all stupid sexual actions will have
reactions in the soul of the foolish people who deceive themselves into thinking they can disobey God and get away with
it. In the sexual arena a punishment for wrongful actions will flow from the actions themselves with sexually transmitted
diseases being the natural result of promiscuity.
STDs were fatal in Solomon’s day, and once again, after a brief time of ability to cure them in the 1970s-1980s, they are
once again cure-resistant and are nearly all either permanently debilitating or fatal again. Incurable disease is like a
strong chain that binds the foolish person to their sins, and such people die miserably, regretting their fatal choices, but
unable to reverse them by that point. It is great folly to fornicate, for the sin is against your own body, and in your own
diseased body you die regretting your stupidity.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
There are many people who are not what they appear to be and are dangerous to us in our work, church, and
family life. We must spot such deceptive people quickly. Those who are “too good to be true” need to be inspected
closely. Be a “fruit inspector” of those who claim great gifts and abilities. What is the result of their previous works? What
sort of state are their previous partners? Be discerning, and be suspicious of those who make claims that are too good,
and appear too good outwardly. John 2:24-25. Jesus didn’t trust people and we must not either! Let us be careful and
prayerful. Mathew 7:13ff.
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2.
Marital fidelity is the target of most satanic attack upon ministries and the people in them. More ministries are
destroyed by infidelity than by any other source. It is the easiest target for Satan as sex is the most powerful driver of
mankind. We must set our guard up around our marriages far stronger than we often do. With your marriage partner
discuss the protocols that will make you feel really safe in your marriage. Hear their concerns, and note all of them.
Identify the behaviours which make you both feel unsafe or insecure and work through these. Come to a set of protocols
that work for each of you and stick to them. Protect your marriages and you will stabilise your ministry and your physical
and mental health.
3.
Let us teach strongly the doctrines associated with Sexuality and Marriage. In our day we are seeing the
greatest push by Satan to get people accepting free and easy sex as the normal way to live, when it is an aberration and
abomination and leads always to destruction. Sexual activity outside marriage is always wrongful and destructive.
Pastors, let us warn the Lord’s people loudly of the dangers of sexual promiscuity before it rots out the soul of our
marriages, our families, our communities, and our nations.
DOCTRINES
MARRIAGE – RIGHT MAN - RIGHT WOMAN See page 31
SIN – OLD SIN NATURE
1. We are born with a nature, inherited from Adam, which is against God and prone to sin (Ephesians 2:1, Romans 5:12).
2. The old sin nature is perpetuated in the human race by physical birth (Psalm 51:5, 1 Timothy 2:13, 14).
3. We are therefore considered spiritually dead at the point of physical birth (Romans 5:12).
4. Names for the old sin nature:
a) Flesh – Galatians 5:16
b) Old Man – Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:9
c) Carnal – Romans 7:14
d) Sin – Romans 5:12
e) Heart – Jeremiah 17:9
f) Member – Colossians 3:5.
5. The believer continues to have an old sin nature after salvation (1 John 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:1).
6. The believer under the control of the old sin nature is called carnal (Romans 7:14, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
7. The old sin nature frustrates true production of the Christian life (Romans 7:15).
8. The old sin nature has two tendencies (Romans 6:6)
a) Area of weakness – pushes us towards lawlessness and sins (Hebrews 12:1)
b) Area of strength – pushes us towards asceticism and self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6).
9. The old sin nature is not found in the resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:56, Philippians 3:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
10. Victory over the old sin nature is achieved by considering your old life dead, surrendering to God, confessing sin and
relying upon the filling of the Spirit (Romans 6:6,11, Colossians 3:9-10).
CHAPTER 6
INTRODUCTION
Acknowledging the reality of the Angelic Conflict is a starting point to keep your self safe in this world. Those who reject
the reality of Satan and are deliberately or stupidly ignorant of his strategy are most at risk of sudden and unexpected
destruction. In this chapter Solomon returns to the vital importance of recognising the human agents of satanic angelic
forces. He stresses the importance of vigilance and alertness to danger as a daily mental attitude for every believer who
wants to walk safely through this world. We are at war, in a war that is driven by the sheer malice of Satan towards saved
mankind. Unless the believer recognises this and is alert to dangers, they will be destroyed by the forces of the enemy.
The so called “Seven Deadly Sins” are covered in this chapter also, as they are the inevitable result of failure to see the
reality of the enemy’s designs upon your heart, mind, and body.
Laziness and distraction from the reality of the battlefield of earth opens the believer to disaster. Solomon mocks the lazy
man, and the distracted man, for both will fail to see the enemy approach, because they are so distracted by their
foolishness. When men fail to see they are on a battlefield and start to wander around aimlessly they are sitting ducks for
enemy fire. The biggest danger for his sons comes from the beautiful seductresses that are the “groupies” of the palace
complex, and so Solomon warns against adultery again and again in these early chapters. He is falling himself into these
very things, but as he falls he tries desperately to save his sons from what his own wisdom shows him will be his fate. Let
us heed his desperation and fight these great temptations on more winnable ground that Solomon allowed himself to be
seduced onto.
PROVERBS 6:1-35
1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with
the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,
when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to
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thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird
from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no
guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long
wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little
folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed
man. 12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he
speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief
continually; he soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken
without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud
look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet
that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among
brethren. 20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them
continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou
sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23 For the commandment is a lamp;
and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from
the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee
with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress
will hunt for the precious life. 27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one
go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever
toucheth her shall not be innocent. 30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is
hungry; 31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 32 But
whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A
wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a
man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest
content, though thou givest many gifts.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 5. 1 “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself,
and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.”
It is always a dangerous thing to be financial security for the loan of a friend or relative. Loaning money to a friend is
always an excellent way to destroy a good friendship. When we have a friend in need it is always better to look for any
way of assisting them short of giving them money. To “bail someone out” of financial problems without their recognition of
what has led to the problems and taking remedial actions is an open door to disaster. A friend who has been “bailed out”
now knows that you know their weakness and they will hate you for the rescue. Psychologically this is one of the most
interesting human phenomena; people turn on their rescuers when their foolishness led to the need for rescue. Their own
sense of shame at failure makes them seek to silence all who know of their shame.
If you wish to help them, guide them to the banks or the official receiver of bankrupt properties, or buy their property and
give them their equity back to start again. You may even rent their property back to them to stabilise their family, but
forget about ever being their friend again. Loaning money destroys friendships with most people, and Solomon refers to
this practise as foolishness. Short of total repentance and life change, the people assisted will resent and hate you from
that point on.
Solomon tries to get his sons to avoid this “snare”, as few men or women are able to handle the consequences in their
social life of saving their friends or relatives from financial ruin. The only advice Solomon can give to any person who has
gone surety for a neighbour’s loan is to directly approach their neighbour and work closely and passionately with them to
ensure the debt is repaid quickly before too much damage is done to your finances and to the community.
Laziness or delay is fatal when you face such things. As we will see below, laziness is often the reason for the need in
the first place, and Solomon forbids giving any assistance to lazy people. Lazy people get into trouble, and cannot be
helped unless they address their laziness.
If you try to assist people, and then realise there is a problem, you must not be lazy or hesitant in your actions. Unless
you move quickly once you see a problem with the loan, you will lose your money. If there is any delay in acting to
protect yourself you will lose everything into the hands of the creditor of your foolish neighbour. It is not that you are not
to help people, but Proverbs will consistently warn against two errors of judgement in assisting others; not seeing
laziness and not discerning a fraud.
The first error is to try to help a lazy person who cannot be helped, because any help they receive they will squander due
to their life choices. The second danger in helping others is fraud and tricksters, who use your desire to assist the poor to
take your money off you. The untrustworthiness of others means you must be discerning and decisive. Once you see
laziness or fraud in any request for help you need to move quickly to protect yourself, for you are now in great danger.
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Alertness is a theme of the book. There are people out there who want to take your money off you, remove your
property, and even take your life. You must be as alert as the deer or the bird; at a second’s warning they fly away from
the hunter. If there is any delay on your part when dangerous men are about you will be lost and so will your goods.
Verses 6 – 8. 6 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
Laziness is a real danger in this world, for it indicates that you haven’t taken God’s words to Adam seriously. Genesis
3:17-20. It is by perspiration that you pay your way through this world, and if you think you can sit around and wait for the
money to arrive you are insulting and blaspheming the Word of God! The so called “Cargo Cults” of the pas were an evil,
and in the modern world there are many “schemes” that are argued for in the business world that are in their model.
These are “easy money schemes”, and are of the Devil himself.
There are no free lunches in this world without a hidden catch; man must work and if he is not prepared to then the Bible
is strong, that lazy man must be left to starve. Refer again to the studies on POVERTY, WELFARE. We have seen the
“lazy men” of ENRON and the pyramid money schemes very active through the last ten years. They have at times
worked as hard as ants, but with fraud behind them. We see the other side of these verses is the welfare culture of our
day, where men and women refuse work and seek to remain in laziness.
If the ants are able to organise themselves without apparent leadership visible to men, so should man be able to
organise him self with leadership. The ants are busy all summer gathering food so that the colony survives the winter. If
the ants are able to do this by instinct, then man ought, by free will choices and determination, to be able to work in the
summer and save up food for the winter. Don’t get side tracked here by the discoveries of modern biology which teaches
just how well the ants are organised. The principle here stands; if the smallest of the insects is able to achieve such great
things by its industrious activity, man ought to be rebuked for any laziness.
With instinctive leadership the ants prepare for winter. We are made by the same creator, and we have the same
instincts, and it is only our own casual and unthinking choices to be lazy that hinders us. This chapter began looking at
the situation where a neighbour needed your help. The likely reason was that they had not done what was required while
they had time to do so. If people seek to feed themselves through the winter, they need to set their hearts to work
through the summer! If they do not, they are not to be fed by others in the winter.
Verses 9 – 11. 9 “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man”.
According to Solomon, when people ask for money, it is often because they have been dog-lazy beforehand. They have
slept in and snoozed in the afternoon and not been ready to work as the sun rises. The Bible is unflinching in its criticism
of lazy people. If a man will not work then he is not to eat, and no believer is to feed him or his hungry family! 1
Corinthians 9:1ff, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12. This harsh approach was designed to force the lazy
man to confront his evil and deal with it, and get working to feed his family.
The liberal approach of “Welfarism” is to give support to all who are in need irrespective of their ability to work, or their
will to work. What it produces can be a greater evil than poverty itself. If a lazy and disobedient man has his family
“bailed out” of their financial need by others, the result can be that the family is kept in the place of evil dominance by the
lazy man, whose laziness will normally be paired with other evils. My experience is that those who will not work, will
drink, and sexually abuse, and steal, and the welfare cheque that arrives each week keeps their children and stupid wife
in the place where the abuse will become multi-generational.
God’s purpose is that the problems men have are faced, and the correct decisions made by the disobedient adults in the
picture, not that someone helps them so that they don’t ever take the right actions. God’s purpose is that the disobedient
learn or die quickly so that their opportunity to cause future trouble to children and others is minimised. We must be
careful of the attitude we have towards WELFARE, for social work and giving to the poor can disable people rather than
help them.
We are not ever to be just giving out fish, but we are always to be teaching men to be able to fish. If people will not work,
then we are not to feed them! All welfarism does is delay judgement and ensure that more suffer as a result of the lazy
and disobedient person’s behaviours. The “Poor” are not the lazy, they are those in reduced circumstances for reasons
other than laziness. No lazy person was ever to be helped; they were to be rebuked. The poor were to be helped.
Discernment was required by the believer to determine who was to be helped and who was not to be assisted except
with rebuke.
Verses 12 – 15. 12 “A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy”.
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The Hebrew words used here mean we are dealing with an exceedingly evil person. These words are words used to
describe people who have deliberately walked away from God’s paths and are sold out to evil and satanic viewpoint and
activities. This man is wicked and lies continually with his mouth. He has no commitment to the truth at all and uses any
means to achieve his short sighted evil goals.
Solomon describes his body language in verse 13. He is a man who cannot “look you in the eye”, but will wink and break
his gaze because he cannot be honest. He moves his feet around in the dust because he cannot stand still and
concentrate on a conversation. He is devious in his behaviours and gestures with his fingers to distract people from his
dubious words. It is a good picture of what we would call a “shifty person”. Such people have malice within their hearts,
and are always devising evil to act upon, and they delight in causing others to argue and fight. They are so busy playing
games that they do not see when the Lord calls “game over” for them. Their end is catastrophic and they do not see it
coming.
Verses 16 – 19. 16 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren”.
The so called “7 Deadly Sins” of man’s lists are not anything like the ones that God certifies here his hatred of. Notice
immediately how many are mental attitude sins. Refer to the BTB studies below on these two allied subjects (MENTAL
ATTITUDE, ABOMINATION SINS).
The first sin is pride. God hates the superior attitude of one man towards another. The proud look is the haughty and
arrogant attitude of Satan himself and it is hated by the Lord, for it places a person on a road that leads to where Satan
dwells.
The second sin is lying. Having no commitment to the truth is a thing hated by the Lord also. Satan is the father of liars,
and the father of lies. These sins are all key fruits of the Old Sin Nature, and this insight is important. God hates all
behaviours that resemble those of Satan. We are called to be discerning of people’s fruit, and these are the seven signs
of a satanic tree!
The third sin is murder, which was the first act of Cain after rebuked by God. Murder of others without any just cause is
the taking of the divine prerogative and making it your own. It is God who decrees a person’s life and the time of their
death, and short of execution or self defence no man has the right to kill another. To take God’s place is to murder, and it
is to be face to face with God in judgement.
The fourth sin is a straight mental attitude sin; it is to give the mind over to evil imaginations. It is to delight in evil in the
mind. Many think that they are only guilty of offending the Lord when they act, but if we are imagining and enjoying the
thought of evil it is only a matter of time and opportunity before we act it out. We are to win the battle for the mind. God
hates those who become slack towards evil in their minds.
The fifth sin is the acting out of the imagined evils. It is the hungry desire to practise evil that is hated by the Lord. When
people are keen to run after trouble and enjoy other’s pain, they have become evil within. God hates those who love evil
and hungrily run to enjoy it.
The sixth category is the false witness. This is more than just lying; it is lying to ensure that another and innocent person
suffers the death penalty. This is double malice; it is a careless attitude to the truth, but it is a careless attitude towards
the lives of others also. It is this lack of care for your fellows that God hates, and the malice associated with false
witnessing is evil to an extreme, for the innocent would die in this day for some crimes.
The final sin in the list is the person who just loves making trouble for people who were previously friends. To stir up
hatred where there is no reason for hatred is a great evil. Harmony between men is the Lord’s desire for mankind, and
one who delights in others fighting is a true son of Satan. These are the seven signs that the person you face is of
Satan’s family not God’s. Any one of these signs should cause you to be wary and careful around such a person.
Verses 20 – 23. 20 “My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall
talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”
This repetition is a standard formula to recall the princes and all the people to the moral laws of the land and the family. It
repeats the Mosaic Commandments and reminds us of his commands to bind the laws to them. Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It is
the command to take the Law of God as seriously as you take your own clothing and head covering. If the Law of God is
as close to the person as their clothing it will keep them safe and guide them into all truth in their life and work.
God’s Word is to be the teacher and instructor of daily life, and the subject of conversation when they awaken in the
morning. It is the total occupation with the Lord’s Word that Solomon seeks for his sons. Had he practised the same thing
consistently he would have kept himself safe also! The great sadness of these verses is that at this point Solomon was
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keeping himself just safe through the Word of God, but he slipped backwards quickly in his forties and by the time he
entered his fifties he was in total reverse spiritually and his life fell apart.
Verses 24 – 26. 24 “To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
6 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the
precious life.”
Solomon returns now to the sexual seducer to give his sons more insights into her appearance, techniques, and nature.
This is the main danger to the young men and Solomon will go on about it for another chapter to really reinforce his
advice. Remember, he himself fell in this area, and so his own appeal failed to save him. This is a sober thought and like
Paul we must keep our focus on the Lord and His plan for us right until the end, for it is easy to fall short of God’s
standards and be a castaway before breaking the tape at the end of our earthly race. 1 Corinthians 9:27. Right up until
our last breath upon the earth we are in danger of losing our eternal rewards by stupid actions. We are to stay alert until
the end.
The way to hell is signposted by the billboards of flattery. Satan knows how to seduce the hearts of stupid people; all he
has to do is tell them what they want to hear. If we have any hand-hold for pride in our life we are open to flattery.
Challenge yourself on this matter believer. If a person’s opinion of you can shift your stance on any matter, then you are
vulnerable. Now notice my words carefully; it is their opinion of you, not their logic that shifts you. If we desire to be
thought well of in our society we are vulnerable to the opinions of men. This is dangerous and the very thinking behind
this is to be resisted. We are to care for the opinion of the Lord alone, and anyone else’s thinking about our value or
status is to be an irrelevancy. Our security is to trust alone in the final “Well done” of the Lord.
The evil servant of the enemy, either male or female, will use flattery to entice the foolish person to take them seriously.
Flattery makes the foolish person think the flatterer has great discernment! The beautiful seducer moves with her lips and
her eyes to entrap the unwary young man. She weaves her web of words around him, and if he lusts after her body, and
looks into her doe-eyes and is smitten, then he is a fool, and soon to be destroyed. Such a seduced person has been
brought to the place where they are just another “sexual meal” (piece of bread) for the adulteress.
They are just a tasty morsel to the seducer; the seducer, be they male or female, has no lasting love towards that
person. They are just to be used, abused and discarded for the next target. Solomon wants the young men to see that to
Satan’s people seduction is a game, and when the game is over they cast their conquests away. Only fools place their
bodies as prey in such a game.
Verses 27 – 29. 27 “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.”
To seduce or be seduced by another person’s life partner is to hold fire to your own body. The perspective Solomon is
working from is male and so the seducer here is the evil woman, but keep in mind that is just because he is talking to his
sons. This principle applies from both the male and female sides, so apply it both ways.
Adultery is destructive and fatal in the end. There is no escape if you grasp flame; it will burn you. The laws of God are
the same with adultery Solomon argues. If we believe we can commit adultery and get away with it without injury we are
as foolish as a person who plays with fire and does not expect to be burned. Just touching the neighbour’s wife makes a
person “not innocent”. What does this mean? Solomon is speaking here about what we now term “protocols” for
behaviours; behaviours that keep us safe.
Solomon’s advice here is blunt and many would consider it extreme. Let me preface this section by reminding you that
the main reason men leave the ministry today is adultery! It is the adultery that none of them see coming that destroys
them, and the reason is they do not have tough enough protocols to keep themselves sexually safe around members of
the opposite sex.
Solomon is blunt; no man is to touch another man’s wife at all, in any way, except a handshake of greeting. To touch in
any intimate way is to connect with them and potentially start a spark of lust which may catch fire. We must be far more
careful in this matter than we are in today’s churches. There are full frontal hugs between men and women, kissing,
touching of hands and arms, all of which can inflame passion in a vulnerable person. For most people there will be no
problems with our present laxness, but for a vulnerable person there is real and potentially serious danger. This is where
adultery starts in the churches. We are to protect the weak not make them more vulnerable.
Verses 30 – 35. 30 “Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own
soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.”
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Adultery strikes at the heart of a marriage and family and is always destructive, and at times fatal. Behaviours that are
adulterous can end in tragedy because the feelings of the people are so hurt, offended, or outraged. A thief can be
forgiven if his family is starving, but even then he will be forced to pay for his theft, and his family may “receive
assistance” by being made bonded servants of the people they stole from in order to repay their debt.
If a man steals he will pay when caught, but if a man seduces his neighbour’s wife, what can he repay for such an insult?
The rage of the offended husband or wife is extreme, because the insult is extreme. Such offended husbands could
demand death and take it, and no amount of money offered as compensation would sway them from their desire for
revenge and honour.
He has destroyed his own soul, his marriage and his family, and he has destroyed her life also. To commit adultery is to
show total lack of understanding of the consequences of actions. The wound that an adulterer receives is permanent and
the reproach/shame will never be wiped away from him. He will always be seen by other men as an untrustworthy man
around their wives. He will always be “the fornicator” to others and an object of shame or disgust for what he did.
Now in our own day Hollywood celebrates such people and we see magazine articles written daily about them. Do not be
fooled by these, for their “triumphs” are often followed by their suicides. The Hollywood myth of happiness through
adultery is littered with the bodies of its victims. Open your eyes and look at history for it supports Solomon strongly.
Solomon was right; this behaviour is always destructive, and often fatal.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
The reason why people need assistance is always to be studied and identified. If the reason is laziness then
they are to be rebuked, but never helped. People are to be held accountable for their behaviours before the Lord and no
excuses made for them. We need to challenge ourselves in these matters because a generation of believers have been
influenced by liberalism that does not deliver anything except more abuse and disorder. Supporting and encouraging
people to be lazy by paying benefits for inactivity does not assist society in any way. Don’t swallow the nonsense that
you are doing this for the children, for all you are doing is ensuring that there will be more children, and that the children
stay within the dysfunctional family longer, and have a greater possibility of being abused by the lazy person’s friends.
The sooner the lazy man starves the sooner he either works or dies; either way society benefits according to Solomon.
You make your own choice pastor, but this is Solomon’s viewpoint, and it is the viewpoint of the scriptures from one end
to the other!
2.
God requires decision making of us; decision making based upon doctrinal discernment. We are to distinguish
between the “Poor” who need assistance because of famine, theft, disease, or death of the bread winner, and the lazy,
where no amount of assistance will ever help that family. For the temporary poor the assistance given will give them a
“hand up”, but to the lazy no benefit is gained at all by anything received as aid, for they need to work, then their
problems will be over. If people are unable to work they are to be helped, and encouraged. Those caught in a place
where they cannot work are to be encouraged to study, and it may be that their poverty will be the open door to their
studying for ministry. A lazy person will never be able to be made a minister. God will directly deal with and judge the
lazy person, our task is to stand well back and not get in the way by trying to “help” them.
3.
Avoid the company of those who have the FRUIT OF THE OLD SIN NATURE in their lives. All who have the 7
deadly sins, or anything like them in their life are to be avoided. These people are certified as dangerous and evil. They
are to be avoided socially and in the business world. By avoiding the company of such people you keep yourself a lot
safer. Be discerning believer and check the fruit of people’s lives before you trust them and work alongside them. If you
do not obey Solomon’s advice you will be the victim of a fraud or worse over time! You are on a battlefield, and failing to
spot the enemy quickly can be fatal!
DOCTRINES
SIN – ADULTERY
1. Definition - Sexual activity outside of marriage. This includes fornication, homosexuality, incest.
2. Adultery is prohibited by the Word of God (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Colossians 3:5; 1Thessalonians 4:3).
3. Mental adultery is condemned (Matthew 5:27-28).
4. Adultery destroys the capacity of the soul to relate in faithfulness (Proverbs 6:32).
5. Sexual immorality has a destructive effect on the human body of both male and female (cf. 1Corinthians 6:13-18).
a) Male - impotence and inability to copulate.
b) Female - breakdown of response and pleasure in the sex act. Often frigidity or nymphomania, both are frustrating and
a source of female misery.
c) Increased chance of sexually transmitted diseases.
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6. Any sexual immorality ultimately leads to further frustration and an unfulfillable search for happiness (Ephesians
4:19,5:3).
7. Adultery is a bona fide basis for divorce (Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Luke 16:18). Adultery has a huge impact between
husband and wife in both mental (trust) and physical ("one flesh") areas. However, forgiveness and the grace of God
can overcome the effects of all sins.
8. Adultery or fornication is often used in the Bible to describe apostasy and unfaithfulness to God (Jeremiah 3:8-10,
Ezekiel 16:23-43, 23:24-28; Revelation 17:1-5).
WORK
1. Since the Fall, man has had to work for a living by the sweat of his. Genesis 3:17-19.
2. Our attitude to work as believers should, however, be an offering of praise to God. Romans 8:19-32, 1 Corinthians
10:31
3. Our attitude to work is witness to all. Workers are told to follow some simple guidelines to open the door for witness in
the work place - Titus 2:9,10.
a) "Be Obedient" - The Greek verb hupotasso is the same one used for wives of their husbands, and involves
responsiveness to the will of the other. The believer is to be the best worker in the situation and is to be known as the
one who can be trusted to perform what is required.
b) "Not answering again" - Talking back, or "back chat" has always been a problem where authority is resented. Such
resentment is to have no place in the Christian's life as they are to see every situation they find themselves in as one
where they are called to show themselves servants of their master in heaven and live up to his standards and their high
calling as ambassadors of Christ.
c) "Not purloining" - It was always a temptation for slaves to steal, as they had been "stolen" and the only way to get
freedom was to buy it with money they saved. Paul's point here and elsewhere, was that freedom was not to be the goal,
rather service for the Lord. Freedom was not to come at any price! The believer was to pay taxes and to recognise others
wealth as the other person's property and not steal it, even if that other person was not "entitled to it". Ephesians 4:28.
d) "Showing good fidelity" - The Christian worker was to shew by all he or she did that they were trustworthy in all things.
e) "Adorn the doctrine of God" - Become a credit to the doctrine of God. The English word for cosmetics comes from the
word adorn. It means to decorate or present in a good light. As men will take a second look at a woman who is well
made up with cosmetics so Paul wanted the masters to take a second look at slaves who served well and so hear what
made them different from the rest, namely the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:20.
These principles apply to all workers and managers in industry today.
4. Christian employers must be a just and fair. Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3: 22-4:1, 1 Timothy 6:1-8.
5. All Christians who can should be working for their living. If they are unable to work they will be able to do something
for the Lord, and such service should be supported by the church. 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12
6. Even Paul who ministered nearly full time, was a tent maker by day and a preacher and Bible teacher by night. 1
Corinthians 9:18, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12, 4:11-12
7. Paying the pastor is legitimate, following the principle of the oxen treading out the grain; it ate whatever it needed to
keep doing the job. 1 Corinthians 9:6-14, Galatians 6:6, Romans 15:27, Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Timothy 5:17, 18.
8. Everything we do is to be looked upon as service to the Lord. Colossians 3:23.
POVERTY
1. God can raise the poor out of the poverty of their circumstances. (1 Samuel 2:8, Psalm 113:7)
2. There is a special happiness for those who help the poor. (Psalm 41:1, 2, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 29:14)
3. The poor are not only delivered by God from poverty but in the reality of their poverty they often see their need of
salvation and respond to the gospel. (Psalm 72:12-14, Matthew 11:5)
4. Whilst charity is good and honourable, it can be abused (Proverbs 14:30-31, 19:17) Charity is for the poor, but
excessive dependence upon welfare makes the poor lazy (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11)
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5. There is a special curse for those who ignore helping the poor. (Proverbs 21:13, 22:16, 28:3). There is also a special
curse for those who take advantage of the poor. (Proverbs 22:22-23)
6. Until the Millennium there will always be poverty in the human race. (Mark 14:7)
7. The poor are a target for hypocrisy and its victim. (John 12:5). They are also the victims of backsliders. (James 2:2-4)
8. Poor believers have the same spiritual privileges as rich believers. (James 2:5). A person can be poor in material
things but rich in doctrine.
WELFARE
1. God has always been concerned for the needy poor, the weak and the oppressed. Exodus 22:21-27, Deuteronomy
15:11, 24:14,15.
2. Orphans and widows were especially concerns of the Lord from the beginning. Deuteronomy 10:18, Ezekiel 22:7.
3. Any violation of the trust of others with money was also a concern of the Lord. Exodus 22:26, Amos 2:8,
4. The needy poor of the land were to be cared for. Only the needy were to be cared for, as those who were able to work
should, and those with ability were expected to use it. Isaiah 1:23, 10:2, 3:14,15, Amos 4:1, 5:11, 8:4,6, Micah 2:2,8,9,
Zephaniah 3:1, Habakkuk 1:4, 2:10-15, Jeremiah 5:28, 7:6, Ezekiel 18:12,16, 22:29, Zechariah 7:10, Malachi 3:5.
5. The Lord addressed the poor and needy directly and met their needs, for food but more than that for focus on their
purpose in life. Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 4:18, 6:20.
The Lord recognised that there will always be people who are poor, that need will always exist within a fallen world and
that no attempt of man will change this. Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7.
6. The early church during the time of greatest growth in Jerusalem adopted a dramatic welfare policy to deal with the
numbers being saved and the numbers of martyrs and their dependents who needed the church to care for them.
In Acts 4:32-37 tells us that many (not all or they would not have had a home to meet in) the church sold their worldly
wealth to ensure the work was not halted for lack of funds, or time to devote. It was a temporary measure and restricted
to Jerusalem but it helped the church get established and made sure that no-one starved at a time when there was great
expansion but also great persecution.
Because of the church's needs they were permanently poor and other churches had to help the Jerusalem church
throughout its history until 70AD. 1 Corinthians 16:3.
7. The churches cared for the poor and needy by regular giving, and through the office of the deacons who were the
social welfare officers for the assemblies. Romans 15:26, Galatians 2:10, James 2:2-7,
Relatives were expected to look after their own first. 1 Timothy 5:8,
If people could work they were expected to; such were not needy poor! 1 Thessalonians 2:9 -12, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MENTAL ATTITUDE See page 14
SIN – ABOMINATION SINS TO THE LORD
Proverbs 6:16-19 shows what God hates - the seven worst sins. God's hatred for immorality is even more for these
seven sins.
1. Proud Look: God hates a proud look, a look of self righteousness, people who look down on others. God's justice is
even more on his own where they have accepted His son yet still harbour sin. You may be in such a church. Or you
may be in a church which has no immorality but they have many mental attitude sins.
2. Lying Tongue: Another sin pattern is lying tongues. These can consist of lying flatterers, lying pastors who should be
teaching the truth but are not.
3. Hands that Shed Innocent Blood: Hands that shed innocent blood are those who murder including abortionists,
drunken drivers, thugs, drug dealers and the wealthy doctors and lawyers who protect them.
4. Hearts that Devise Wicked Imaginations: Hearts that devise wicked imaginations, minds that are full of lust, they are
thinking it all the time, lust for money, lust for power, lust for sex, full of anger and hatred, jealousy. It is very important to
confess your sin.
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5. Feet that are Swift to Run to Mischief: These are people who dwell on things that are wrong and explain it to people
in great detail. These are voyeurs, people who lack the courage to do things themselves but love to see others wallow in
it. People who look at pornography. It is people who gossip on the basis that you will pray more effectively.
6. False Witness: False witnesses are people who lie to injure the innocent.
7. Sowers of discord: These are those who have hidden agendas, they pervert and distort discussions.
SIN – OLD SIN NATURE See page 52
SIN – FRUIT OF THE OLD SIN NATURE
1. The fruit of the old sin nature falls under four categories (Galatians 5:19-21)
(a) Sensual
(b) Religious
(c) Social
(d) Personal
2. SENSUAL
(a) fornication – porneia – illicit sexual activity or any sexual activity other than with your partner.
(b) uncleanness - akatharsia - all acts of indecency and uncleanliness that shock people, this includes abnormal sexual
acts.
(c) lasciviousness - aselgeia - unrestrained lust - people who are having sex for their own personal gratification, treating
other people as sexual objects for their pleasure. Paul recognises that we are tempted in all these areas. Matthew points
out that it is not only the doing of these acts but the thinking of these acts which are sins.
3. RELIGIOUS
(a) idolatry - eidoltria - worship of things other than God
(b) witchcraft - pharmakeia - this involved magic, astrology, séances and sorcery.
(c) hatred -echtros - this is unrestrained rage without a reason. You get so angry that no one can talk to you at all.
(d) strife - eris - contentiousness - this is argumentation in regard to Bible teaching and spiritual matters.
4. SOCIAL
(a) jealousy - zelos - a bitter hatred towards another person who has something that you want. This is the father of all the
other sins.
(b) wrath - thermos - this is getting hot headed or flaring up. If the person does not control the power of a hot temper they
are under the power of the old sin nature and not the Holy Spirit. If you get this type of trouble at a church meeting you
turn to the Word of God.
(c) seditions - - this is faction forming
(d) heresies - this is one step forward from seditions and is a person who wishes to build on the factions. An example
would be the KJV group. By separating on the basis of the KJV alone you have fallen into far more evil than is present in
variations in the versions.
(e) evil - this is tied into jealousy eating away at the souls of people who harbour resentment.
5. PERSONAL
(a) drunkenness - methai - drinking alcohol to excess is not a sickness it is a sin. It is an inherited weakness, if your
father is an alcoholic you should not touch alcohol at all because it is a weakness in the family. Avoid places where you
could be tempted. If you have a weakness towards alcoholism you must deal with it.
(b) revellings - jomoi - which means hell raising, a person who cannot bear silence but has to be drowned in noise all the
time. Their life is empty and has no purpose but as long as they party vigorously and run from function to function they do
not have to worry about their sin and the pointlessness of their life. When you are tempted to sin think about the Lord.
Paul now adds and such like which means that if he has not hit their particular weakness they should fill in the blanks.
6. We all have weaknesses and unless you are on guard you fall every time. You have to ascertain your weakness and
set your guard against it. God's way is to walk in the Spirit that is the way to deal with it.
NOTES
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CHAPTER 7
INTRODUCTION
Solomon continues here with warnings about the promiscuous women who will target his sons. They predominate in his
thoughts because they were the main threat and so we have some more very straight talking on the importance of fidelity
and resisting sexual temptations. Keep in mind all through these words that Solomon failed at this point, and be very
scared yourself! All Solomon’s fine words were forgotten by himself later at the vital times of serious temptation and he
fell into gross and irredeemable sins in this very area.
My point is a strong and an urgent one; we are never safe from sexual temptation and we are to keep our guard up all
the time, all our life. Protocols are designed to keep us safe and keep on keeping us safe, but they only work when they
are applied. Just reading the words of Proverbs won’t keep us or our young people safe from sexual foolishness, but
holding firmly to the doctrinal points made here will, but it must be every day of our life!
PROVERBS 7:1-27
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2 Keep my commandments, and live; and
my law as the apple of thine eye. 3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4 Say
unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5 That they may keep thee from the
strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. 6 For at the window of my house I looked
through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void
of understanding, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9 In the
twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an
harlot, and subtil of heart. 11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without,
now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an
impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15 Therefore
came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with
coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes,
and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19 For
the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will
come home at the day appointed. 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her
lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the
correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not
that it is for his life. 24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25
Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded:
yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of
death.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 5. 1 “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words”.
God’s Word is to be treasured like the most precious thing we have ever found. If we value the Word like we value gold
we are on the right track to safety in this life. God’s Word will keep us safe, but only as it is applied into the fabric of daily
life, not while it sits on a shelf in the lounge.
There is nothing magical about the Bible as a book, it is only as it gets applied into life that it becomes a powerful tool to
transform a life. I remember seeing a witless celebrity showing people his house on television. He grandly pointed out all
his Bibles, Korans, Kabalas, and even his Buddhist scriptures. He felt these books would keep him safe, and just owning
them all made him wise. His life was and remains an immoral mess, because he owned books, but never let wisdom own
him!
Solomon passionately wants his sons to really let their fingers, feet, and heart be ruled by the Word of God. He wants
them to feel a kinship to the doctrines of God’s Word that strengthens them and stabilises them, so that they do not feel
any of the foolish thoughts and desires that he felt and followed. He wants them protected from flattery, and the only way
we are protected from flattery is to have pride eliminated from our life by Bible doctrine that has replaced every false
notion with the truth.
Verses 6 – 9. 6 “For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night”:
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Solomon can see that being brought up in the palace harem will mean that his boys will be used to flattery and may start
to believe their own marketing organization. This is the danger for us all; we start to believe the good things said of us.
Pride easily creeps in and perverts the soul, and once we start looking for compliments we are vulnerable to the sort of
woman that lurks in every corridor of Solomon’s palace.
Solomon could look out through his windows into the streets of the city below his palace rooms. He has sat many nights
now and looked out the palace window at the behaviours of some of the young men who are “hangers on” in his court.
These young men think they are pretty “hot”, and they are young fit and handsome “bucks” who feel very special working
for the king.
They are open to seduction because their opinion of themselves is way above the humble place of safety. They are not
keeping themselves safe and soon they succumb to the words and behaviours of these older courtesans who are looking
for “young blood” to liven up their boring nights. These “boys” start to form a habit of adultery and visit with these women
for sex on a regular basis. They think that they cannot be seen, but the king is watching them, and so is the Lord their
God! They are walking to death.
Verses 10 – 15. 10 “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee”.
He watches these boys get “picked off” like ripe cherries by the clever and cunning older courtesans who are dressed for
their seductive role and have walked this path many times before. These are women who are totally confident in their
adulterous behaviours. They are experienced seducers of men. They are really confident (loud) and absolutely focused
on their target (stubborn). They are persistent and position themselves on the right streets to fish out the best young
prospect to seduce.
They want either money or power from the sexual deal they will make, and they are careful to target the best young men
so that they will have the thrill of the victory and the fruits of it as well. These are not women who are “shrinking violets”;
they are super confident seducers and they move in for the kill quickly. They boldly follow up any interest shown in them
and kiss the man passionately in a way no-one has ever done before. They show total devotion to him and real passion
for him. He feels very “special” in their arms and that is their aim.
People who want to feel ‘special’ are sitting ducks for evil, for this is a form of pride, and Satan loves it as it gives him a
toe hold to enable him to walk all over that person over time. This seducer is a super-spiritual type woman also. She
starts by affirming that she has “paid her vows” and delivered her peace offering. She is without sin at this point, and has
received God’s forgiveness, and is feeling like celebrating her spirituality with adulterous sex!
Now stop just a second and see the total contradiction here. This is a sinful woman, for just to require the Peace Offering
meant a serious sin had been committed, and the fact that she wants to spend her first night with another man tells us
that she has done this before, and is probably full of sexually transmitted diseases! Logic tells the doctrine filled man that
this is one dangerous and destructive adulterer who will turn him into a germ factory! She also tries the oldest line in the
creation; “I have waited all my life for you!” But sadly the young man who hasn’t got discernment falls for her apparent
spirituality and this dodgy old line, and filled with lust, he follows her into her house.
Verses 16 – 20. 16 “I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed”.
This lady loves the finest things in life, possibly provided by her travelling merchant or diplomat husband. She has many
finely embroidered cushions (tapestries), and many coloured covers (carved works) of fine Egyptian linen. The sheets
are the finest and softest Egyptian linen. She has perfumed the bed with the nicest spices available in their day. Song of
Solomon 4:14. Her invitation to sexual delight is then direct and enticing. She wants to “make love” to this man all night
and bring the morning in with total exhaustion.
She is saying to this boy; “Lets make love until you can’t move any longer!” Don’t be offended at the straight forward
translation of this pastor, because this is the “gold standard” offer of the genuine temptress, and this approach is still
used today by those who are saturated in their own evil. Now for the arrogant and foolish boy of the palace this sort of
approach appears to be all his dreams come true, but the reality is that he is entering into a candy flavoured nightmare.
This woman will kill him, and this sort of man or woman still does kill unwary and foolish people.
There are enough clues in her words to warn the boy that this woman is not what she seems, but he doesn’t pick them
up because he is looking at her body, not weighing her words. Lust has ensnared him and logic cannot save him
because of two important factors. Firstly he is not listening and weighing her words for their real meaning, but secondly
he has nothing to weigh them against, because he doesn’t have the required doctrine in his soul.
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It is only biblical discernment that will save him, but it is now too late, because he doesn’t have it, and the temptation is at
the highest level. There is a time for Bible study, but if it passes and you don’t take advantage of that, then you will be
caught in your ignorance later and destroyed.
This woman has it all planned, for her husband is away on a business or diplomatic trip for at least this present month,
and she knows, from how much money he has taken, that he wont be back at least until the new moon. The coast is
clear for her adultery to have free reign. The young man hears the various words she uses, and should be able to see,
that she is a regular sinner in the sexual area, that she is probably infected with STDs, that the whole process is
deceptive of her husband, and that he is entering another man’s house to do this evil. On each count he is entering into a
fatal series of free choices and will probably die as a result, but he follows his lust, not his logic.
Verses 21 – 27. 21 “With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced
him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her”.
Do not feel that Solomon is placing all the blame upon the seductress here, for his blame is squarely on the weakness of
the young man who should have learned to apply the truth and kept himself safe in the first place. The seductress is just
doing what the satanic troops do to believers; she is setting out to destroy him. This woman is an expert at seduction, for
she has won this battle many times before, but she can be beaten by one who knows and applies the Word of God and
uses the discernment that the Word provides.
The weakness of his moral collapse is his own weakness. The promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is relevant here. We will
never be placed in any situation that we cannot handle with what the Lord has already provided for us, but if we haven’t
taken advantage of the Lord’s provision we are without excuse and are “Oxen to the slaughter”. The destruction of this
young fool will be both personal, within his body, and also public humiliation (like a fool in the public stocks).
He will feel the deep and stabbing pain in his liver that will tell him one day he has incurable sexually transmitted disease.
I have seen a foolish man in my clinic this last week with this very stabbing pain; in his case related to alcohol abuse.
The young fool here enters the house like a bird enters a snare and does not think that this is the path that leads to his
death. He is wilfully ignorant of the stakes that are being played for here. He is responsible for his foolishness, for he has
had opportunity to learn the truth, but has felt he didn’t need it. For this he will die, and for this same reason many still die
today.
Solomon ends this section on adultery with a strong warning again. He pleads with his boys to listen to his words, and
reject this sort of person outright and avoid the streets that lead to the houses of women like this. To go astray from the
path of God into adultery is to go into the path of death or serious wounding. Solomon’s words are clear; it is fatal, or wil l
be nearly fatal to follow after lust. Lust is always destructive when the Mental Attitude Sin is followed by sinful action. Let
us guard our minds and guard our bodies.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Straight talking saves devious walking! Solomon sees the truth and tells it. He is desperate because he is
sliding deeper into this sin and he sees its power over him. He cannot save himself, but he tries to save others. Let us
save both ourselves and others by doing what he says here, and resisting his destructive life style. Lack of Bible doctrine
means lack of discernment. Lack of discernment means there is no hope of spotting the enemy before the enemy spots
you. It means you are dead! Let us preach these truths, for they alone will keep the foolish safe if they are heeded. Let
us, as the Lord’s pastors, be without excuse before the Lord in this matter. We cannot stop the foolish person who is
determined to be foolish, but we are without excuse before God ourselves unless we have formally and thoroughly
warned them.
2.
Pride comes before all falls into gross sin. Let us guard against pride, for it is the heart of Satan’s being and
strategy against the successful believer. Humility is the Lord’s pattern for service, and any time we find ourselves seeking
after compliments we are to deal with that danger speedily. We are to ruthlessly, with thorough confession and humble
prayer to the Lord, get back to the right position and recover the correct assessment of ourselves. This doesn’t mean we
put ourselves down and grovel in the dirt all the time; it means we acknowledge aloud to ourselves every day that we are
sinners saved and kept alone by God’s grace. It means acknowledging every day that the power of God alone keeps us
in the place of safety and service. The spirit of gratitude and thankfulness will keep us from arrogance and the pride
based lusts that are so destructive. We will not believe the flattery of the seductress if we are daily acknowledging the
truth about ourselves to the Lord and our self.
3.
There is a day to take in doctrine and a day to apply what you have learned. If you fail at either place you will
not be able to survive on the battlefield of the Angelic Conflict. When the Word of God is being preached and taught we
need to be there and take it in hungrily. When the challenge comes in our life we need to apply what we have learned
quickly and thoroughly.
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Pastor, teach the Word every time you can! As you teach, encourage people to apply all they learn, for this way you keep
yourself from the judgement of God, for HE holds us responsible to do this daily. 1 Timothy 4:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
There is a day when it is too late to learn doctrine, for the challenge is before you, and unless you are practised and able
in your wielding of the sword of the Spirit you will be killed. Warn the foolish young believers of this fact, for they need to
understand the urgency of these things before the battle goes against them. When we fall in battle to a sneaky attack it is
because we were foolish, not because God failed us.
DOCTRINES
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY See page 24
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY – CROSS TO THE CROWN See page 25
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY – SIGNS OF MATURITY IN ROMANS 15:1-15
1. Helping others (v 1-3) The mature believer should bear the infirmities of the weak (v 1; cf. Galatians 6:2). Paul
includes himself as a believer of mature strength.
a) A mature believer is characterised by:
i) Knowing doctrine.
ii) Knowing promises.
iii) Spending a maximum amount of time by the filling of the Holy Spirit.
b) A weak or immature believer may be:
i) A new believer.
ii) An ignorant believer who does not know the Word.
c) A mature believer bears the infirmities of the weak believer by:
i) Giving information about the Word (doctrine, promises, procedures). This may be in private conversation.
ii) Giving advice based on the Word.
iii) Exercising grace; listening to and helping others with problems.
d) The mature believer is not to "please himself" (v 1,2):
i) He is not to feed his ego or brag about helping others. It should never be done for self-glory or selfstimulation, but for God's glory.
ii) Christ as the supreme example (v 3):
He did not please Himself; but as a man He received more pressure than we will ever have. The Old Testament says,
"the reproaches of Israel ('them') that reproached the Father ('Thee') fell on the Son ('Me') on the cross." Paul quotes a
Messianic Psalm (Psalm 69:9). Christ was under maximum pressure when He bore our sins on the cross.
2. Knowledge of the Word of God (v 4)
a) The Old Testament ("things written aforetime") was the only scripture existing at the time Romans was written. The
canon is now completed.
b) the purpose of the Word:
i) Learning - doctrine God wants us to know.
ii) Patience - faith in the long distance race. Believing moment by moment.
iii) Comfort - in trials and difficulties of life.
iv) Hope - for the future. Believers know where they are going.
3. Attitudes (v 5-6)
Believers are to see others from the divine viewpoint and be "like-minded one toward another". Their one purpose in life,
after salvation, is "with one mind and one mouth, glorify God" (v 6). This is only possible from the divine viewpoint.
i) We are all saved by grace. Christ died for us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:8).
ii) We all have the same spiritual privileges and responsibilities (except spiritual gifts).
iii) Every believer has a sinful nature but have different ways of expressing it.
iv) We all get spirituality the same way (filling of the Holy Spirit) and all grow the same way, by the Word.
v) God loves each believer with the same amount of love, whether we are in or out of temporal fellowship.
4. Fellowship as the basis of grace (v 7)
a) Believers are to receive one another as Christ received them.
b) He received them in GRACE to the glory of God.
5. Ability to distinguish between Israel and the Church (v 8-12)
a) Christ was a minister under the Law (v 8).
i) He was born, ministered, died, arose and ascended under the dispensation of the Law.
ii) Therefore all He said (except Matthew 16 and John 14-17) amplified the Mosaic Law, confirmed the four
unconditional covenants to Israel and the future of Israel with Him as their King. Some principles He gave are
re-stated in the Epistles as the Christian way of life.
b) Before the Law was given (v 9) the Abrahamic and Palestinian covenants promised blessing to the Jews, that the
Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy.
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c) Paul quotes (Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117; Isaiah 11:1-10). (Jesus Christ as the root of David and
Jesse, is to reign over the Gentiles too.)
6. Faith that appropriates (v 13)
a) The God of hope is to fill the believer with joy and peace in the sphere of believing. Faith is the means.
b) Faith appropriates salvation, restoration to fellowship, filling of the Holy Spirit, doctrine, promises.
7. Knowing the operation of grace (v 14,15)
a) A mature believer realises all he has is because of God's grace and he operates his life on the basis of grace.
b) Grace is manifested in the believer in:
i) Salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9)
ii) Prayer (Hebrews 4:16)
iii) Suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9)
iv) Releasing power (2 Timothy 2:1
v) Growth and stability (2 Peter 3:18)
vi) Restoration and fellowship (Hebrews 12:15; 1 John 1:9)
vii) Producing works (1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 9:9)
viii) Christian way of life (2 Corinthians 1:12; Hebrews 12:28).
CHURCH – SHEPHERDING THE SHEEP
1Peter 5:2-4 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not
for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And
when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
1. As pastors we are all “fellow-elders”, equals before God, tried by suffering, focused and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
and with a heart for service, and an expectation of glory within to drive us.
2. We are to “shepherd the flock; loving, self sacrificial service is in view here.
3. We are to feed the flock; they must not starve when they are with us.
4. They are God’s flock, not ours. We have the care and responsibility, but we answer to the Lord himself for our work
with the flock he has given us.
5. We are to exercise oversight, so as to receive a good report from the Lord, and we are to be focused, as we serve
Him, on His well done not anything else (Matthew 25:21-23).
6. We are to serve in a free way, under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, not from any other “constraint”. No
compulsion is to drive us except the desire coming from within from love for our Lord.
7. We are to be as keen as a volunteer, and with all the passion that this involves.
8. Lust for money, power, authority, position, or reputation, are not to be a part of our lives at all. Such lust for power is
illustrated by Diotrephes (3 John 9-10).
9. We are to be filled with passion, ready to serve, with total zeal for the task to which we are called.
10. Not lording it over the flock, as monarchs or dictators.
11. Being patterns, role models that others can follow in holy and joy filled living.
12. Being focused on winning the crown of glory, that is the eternal reward for the pastor who serves well. This involves
being prepared to wear the crown of suffering in time with glory in our hearts, for they are fixed on eternal realities, where
our true reward will be received.
Lazy pastors, power or money hungry pastors, are strongly rebuked here, and are reminded that the Lord’s expectation
of them is serious, and the consequences of failure or success (as the Lord determines it), are eternal. The Lord is the
Chief Shepherd, he is the one to whom we must give account, and it is his well done that we are to focus on.
NOTES
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CHAPTER 8
INTRODUCTION
We are over a quarter of the way through the book and still the writer is having “Wisdom” as his main character,
introduce herself. It is as if Biblical Wisdom must market herself in the world and compete with all other viewpoints. I find
this chapter almost “unseemly”, and an indication that there is something wrong with the writer’s viewpoint, for real
wisdom “markets” itself; it needs no artificial and formal advertising push. History teaches that advertising of wisdom
does not either increase its uptake, or its application.
Only the work of the Holy Spirit increases the power and application of wisdom. Singing of the praises of wisdom is bone
fide but pointless, for she stands alone and advertises herself by her benefits. This chapter is a clue to where Solomon’s
heart is going, and how he is being captured by the enemy of mankind. He is falling into more time wasting behaviours
that are filling his day rather than the Word of God filling his day with wisdom based activity.
I stand saddened by Solomon’s point in this chapter. When I teach pastors to preach, the one point I make strongly is,
never, ever spend any time telling people why they should listen to you first, just preach the Word of God in Holy Spirit
power, and then the people who listen to the Holy Spirit will listen to you! It is this observation I would make over this
chapter. Singing of Wisdom’s benefits is a waste of time; just teach wisdom and people will see the benefits in their lives.
I suspect Solomon here is reflecting upon his own values and the value systems of other kings and rulers around him. He
is looking out at what he values and what others value, and has identified that in his own life he spends more time with
the “details of life” and the luxuries than actively in the Word of God. Our values are truly shown by where we spend our
time. Solomon and his friends spend their time enjoying the things he will list here rather than spending their time in the
Word of God. This is our daily challenge as pastors for the enticement of the world is to spend our days chasing “fluff”
rather than doing spiritually powerful things.
PROVERBS 8:1-36
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the
way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be
ye of an understanding heart. 6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be
right things. 7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of
my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9 They are all plain to him that
understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge
rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be
compared to it. 12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13 The fear of the
LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14 Counsel is
mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17 I love them that love me; and those that
seek me early shall find me. 18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 My
fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of
righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit
substance; and I will fill their treasures. 22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his
works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no
depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were
settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the
highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass
upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of
the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he
appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his
delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with
the sons of men. 32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my
gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the
LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 3. “1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.”
Now I want to be challenging to you all from these verses. Does wisdom call aloud on your streets any longer? I don’t
believe she does very often, unless she finds her voice in our biblically based preaching. It is only the preaching of the
truth that is the crying aloud of wisdom. There is no natural source for wisdom’s cry in our world today. Our media do not
cry aloud wisdom, and only very few media sources cry aloud morality any longer.
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In this day before us the voice of the prophet was heard in all the places Solomon mentioned. The prophet’s role was to
preach the truth and urge application of it into daily life. The prophets of Solomon’s day “fore-told” things at times, but
more often they simply “forth-told” the truth by teaching a scripture passage. They were the “street preachers” of their
day. We must challenge ourselves as to the best way to get the street preaching going in a way that does communicate,
rather than simply turn people off. This was the challenge for Solomon also, for he sees that the people are ignoring the
prophet’s wisdom in the same way as they are ignoring his own. I suspect he also laments that his sons are ignoring his
wisdom, and paying more attention to his behaviours.
Verses 4 – 9. “4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.”
The marketing strategy of man is to talk up their product and make the foolish buyer believe that they will be benefited by
its purchase. It is this unseemly approach that is taken here by Solomon. I am clearly very concerned and distressed
about this, and the reason is it indicates, (I believe), exactly where Solomon is starting to go off the spiritual rails in his
life. Real wisdom does not need this approach. I want to cry out aloud as I read these words, “Stop telling me what you
will do, just do it and I will judge whether you have achieved your result or not!”
This man Solomon, this great king, is trying to convince people to value wisdom when he identifies that they are fools.
They have no spiritual power to achieve his goal, so why does he try to use human logic? It is the Holy Spirit alone which
gives man the ability to learn wisdom, and those who resist the Holy Spirit will not respond to wisdom no matter what the
advertising of wise fools like Solomon! Refer to the BTB studies, HOLY SPIRIT – MINISTRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT,
SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT. John 16:8-11.
Look at the claims of the writer here. Solomon claims “wickedness is an abomination to my lips”. Now pause and reflect
what he is doing daily in his sexual appetite towards foreign women, and in his religious compromises in the idol temples
of his foreign wives. 1 Kings 11:1-10. In the wisdom that God gave him, Solomon loved the truth and hated wickedness,
but he gave into lust daily, and over time it mastered him. His words at the time of writing are still pure and righteous, but
his deeds involve more and more compromises and slowly but steadily he is falling away from God.
His words continue however to be good things to follow and he calls men to follow them. Once again I remind you pastor,
do not call men to follow you in anything other than Holy Spirit filled work, and if you want revival, call for the Holy Spirit’s
anointing not more logical arguments for morality. Calls for morality are foolishness without Holy Spirit empowerment to
ensure the morality has the power to be sustained.
Verses 10 – 13. “10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Solomon is urgent in his appeal. Wisdom is far more valuable than the things of this earth that thieves can steal. If our
treasures are vulnerable to thieves they are weak and fragile indeed. Matthew 6:19-21. Only true wisdom from God
prepares a person for the real challenges of this life and its ending. All that is gained in this life is lost by its ending, and
so only wisdom gives the things of value that go into the next life. Only godly wisdom enables us to be “prudent” and be
good advisors to others regarding things of lasting value.
All that is worth discovering is able to be known through the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the life of the person who
“fears the Lord” and rejects all evil practises. The arrogance of Satan’s viewpoint is rejected by the person who truly
worships the Lord. They see that God hates all arrogance and every thing associated with the worldliness of Satan.
Refer to the BTB studies WORLD, WORLDINESS, Also Nebuchadnezzar – PRIDE, SIN – ABOMINATION SINS TO
THE LORD.
The “fear of the Lord” involves a corresponding emotion towards the sinful and evil temptations of Satan. The believer
who truly “fears the Lord” and honours the Lord in their life, will have a holy hatred of everything associated with Satan
and satanic viewpoint. Jude 23 records that the mature believer hates even the garments that are associated with fleshly
sins and evil practises. The Bible also records that the hatred of Satan’s people for us will be absolute and total. Luke
6:22-27, 21:17, John 15:18, 1 John 3:13.
Words like “resist”, and “flee”, and “hate” are used to describe these attitudes of the mature believer in the Lord. 1
Corinthians 6:18, 10:14, 1 Timothy 6:9-12, 2 Timothy 2:22, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-9. If we love the Lord, we hate the
enemy and all things associated with him. If believers “love” the things of this world, they are “double minded” and
unstable in all their ways. James 1:5-8. We are challenged to let the “fear of the Lord” purify our desires, so that we love
the things of God, and are not tempted to follow after the things of this present world. Matthew 6:24-34, 1 John 2:17-19.
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Verses 14 – 16. “14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.”
Without godly wisdom any ruler will fail to make the right decisions in vital situations. It is the ability to make the right
decisions that secures a government. It is the little decisions that are wrong that undermine the strongest states. When
men and women follow after satanic wisdom they go into paths that are destructive and eventually disastrous, but at the
time may not even be noticed. Satan is a great distracter, and he deceives people into believing they have wisdom and
are making the wisest decisions in every situation, and their pride stops them learning from their errors when later their
decisions are shown to have been flawed.
I have seen a number of businesses fail and yet the leadership that made the wrongful decisions move on to their next
company and do the same things again. Satan is a deceiver and a destroyer, and that is one of the reasons why he will
be defeated in the end, for he cannot stop himself or his team of demons from their open hatred of mankind. They just
must be destructive and malicious; it is in their nature to be so. The result of satanic “wisdom” is always destruction.
The only security for princes is for them to follow the wisdom of the Lord God and be obedient to scripture. In the stable
rules of the Lord their God is stability; it exists no-where else. Strength for a nation comes from the biblical integrity of his
rulership alone. If there is no godly integrity at the top, it doesn’t matter how strong the Armed Forces are, they will be
beaten in the end. Where there is no justice and righteousness the very Armed Forces of the nation will fall apart. All the
great empires of the past have fallen for this reason; when their integrity failed, so did they. Isaiah 54:14-17.
Verses 17 – 21. “17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”
Love is always reciprocal when it is based upon integrity and godliness. Love will always be returned, and it grows by
being fed with honest attention. If we want to live in love we must love with the same integrity we expect to receive. Many
people want to be loved but they are not ready to give their love unreservedly. Unless we give love with passionate
totality we cannot receive it back the same way.
As things are in the human realm so they are between God and man. The only difference is that God initiates the love
towards man, and it is total and pure. We are loved with integrity and passion by our God, and our correct response is to
love with the same passion back towards God. If we hold back on our own love for the Lord we rob ourselves of the
enjoyment of all that we would otherwise receive. If we do not commit ourselves with abandoned passion to study the
Word of God we will receive little from our short Bible studies! Let us be abandoned in our faith and whole-hearted in our
devotion to the Lord!
The most valuable things on this earth are the eternal things, and it is the study of the living Word of God that opens
them up to us. The “fruit” of passion for the Word of God is the passionate love of the Lord in our soul and the powerful
truths of scripture correcting our minds. The fruit of biblical wisdom is always in righteous behaviours. Unless the fruit of
righteousness is in the person’s life, then biblical doctrine is not in their soul. Matthew 7:15-20, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 23:16.
If we feed deeply upon the spring of divine wisdom, then we will inherit all the good things that God has for us. We now
have reference to the true biblical “prosperity gospel”. Prosperity will come to those who serve the Lord in spirit and in
truth, and it will be the prosperity that we need to serve the Lord. Prosperity is not abundance for self enjoyment, but is
the abundance of God’s resources for God’s work. We will always be provided with all the things we need to do the work
that the Lord has called us to perform. We will always have enough to achieve what we have been called to achieve.
Philippians 4:10-13.
Verses 22 – 26. “22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.”
From ETERNITY PAST we were in the mind of God and are part of the PLAN OF GOD. We are in the mind of the
creator and are a part of His wonderful plan that reaches from eternity past into eternity future. What we see here and
now is but a glimpse of the creative power of God. The entire contents of this world will be taken up, be folded away, and
be replaced by something better. Psalms 102:25-27, Isaiah 34:4, 51:6, Hebrews 1:10-12, 2 Peter 3:10-12.
How secure are we believer? Just re-read these verses and remind yourself that your salvation rests upon the character
of the one who made the universe, and made space and time themselves first! We are as safe as we can be in the arms
of the one who made this universe and has prepared in advance another one for us to enjoy later, when this one has
outlived its usefulness in the Plan of God. Revelation 21. We are dust of this world, but In Christ we are eternal life, as
God is. Refer to the BTB study on CHRISTIAN LIFE – POSITION IN CHRIST.
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Verses 27 – 31. “27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the
depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed
the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.”
The most powerful forces of nature are in the hands of God, and have been since the beginning of time, which is itself a
category of this creation. We are in the hands of the one who has established the forces that hold the planets in their
places, and which are behind the forces of the seas. The very foundations of the earth rest upon the molten masses
beneath the tectonic plates that make up this world’s surface, and all these things are in the Lord’s hands. Let us rest
secure in the hands of the one who holds the world together.
When you consider the power released in minor earthquakes and tidal surges, remember that these forces are but a
glimpse of the power of the God who put all this together, and ensures that it will not blow apart until He is ready to
remake this universe afresh. God created man to inhabit just a small part of the created world and all the rest is simply
decoration to bring our hearts to worship the one who made all things. Let us be humble in our worship of the one who
made all things.
Verses 32 – 36. “32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”
To receive blessings from wisdom people must express their positive volition; they must choose to pay attention to the
Lord and His Word. If we want the Lord’s blessing in our lives we must hear the Lord’s Word, obey the Lord’s Word, and
walk in the Lord’s power. If we fulfil the basic requirements for blessing, then it will flow in our direction. If we ignore the
Lord’s demands we cannot expect the Lord’s blessing to flow! It is close attention to detail that gets the best results in
any thing and wisdom’s blessings are worth putting the effort into that the blessing might be received.
To walk away from God’s truth is incredibly dumb! To walk away from truth is to walk into a lie! To walk from the paths of
life is to walk into the paths of death! There is a tragic inevitability in the fate of those who walk away from God’s path for
them, for the outcome can only be disastrous. So many choose this path, but they choose it in clear violation of the
gospel message that they have received. Let us teach the truth, so that none may have any excuse. Romans 1:18-32.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
We will be heard by those the Holy Spirit has prepared to hear the truth. We will not be heard by any others. We
must recognise that preaching is an activity in the Angelic Conflict, and that it is successful only in proportion to its
spiritual power. To ensure our message is heard and applied by God’s people we have two things to do. The first is to
study and prepare in a Holy Spirit filled manner. The second is to prayerfully preach in a Holy Spirit filled manner. The
Lord will then produce the increase. Marketing is not to be used, but spirituality is to be at the heart of our ministries.
2.
All morality is fragile without the filling of the Holy Spirit to ensure it is maintained in the life. Without the Holy
Spirit as the motive and dynamic power within mankind there is no lasting change in any man. Let us call for the revival
that lasts; that is Holy Spirit revival! Morality alone is powerless to change anything for long. Lust is simply to powerful;
only the power of God hinders the work of Satan, not the good intentions of weak men. John 3:3-16.
3.
Let us be passionate in our love for the Lord and our commitment to His Word. Let us throw ourselves into the
Word of God and enjoy its encouragement.
4.
Let us rest in the everlasting arms of God for our salvation and eternal destiny. We are in Him and in His Plan.
We cannot be more secure for eternity than we are in Christ Jesus. Let us rest in Him.
DOCTRINES
PROPHET
1. The gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet are distinguished in scripture. In the Old Testament there were
those who had the office of prophet, and served in an official capacity within the worship system of Israel but there were
also those who at times were given the gift of prophecy to give a special prophecy even though they were not full time
prophets. Elijah was a man with the office and the gift, where-as David had the gift at times but not the office.
2. The roles of the person with the office of prophet were many and varied:
a) Aaron was a preacher (Exodus 7:1).
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b) In Nehemiah's time the prophet-preacher had a role to exegete the Word of God clearly so that the people would know
the truth (Nehemiah 6:7, Hosea 6:5).
c) As revivalists they were to call people to repentance (Judges 6:7-12, Zechariah 7:7-12).
d) They were to oppose apostasy so that those who were likely to be misled by a false teacher would have no excuse (1
Kings 18:36-39, 40, 2 Chronicles 25:15, Ezekiel 2:5, 2 Kings 20:11).
e) They were encouragers of the people (Ezra 5:2).
f) They were sometimes song/worship leaders for the people (1 Samuel 10:5).
g) They led in prayer at worship (2 Chronicles 32:20).
h) They were the advisors to the kings and they were associated with coronations (1Samuel 10:1, 1Kings 11:28, 29, 2
Kings 9:1-6, 2 Chronicles 12:5, 2 Chronicles 12:6, 15:2-7).
i) They were spiritual advisors or seers for the kings; they "saw" the immediate future and so were able to advise the
kings of the right decisions (1 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 24:11, 1 Chronicles 21:9, 24:29, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 33: 18, 2 Kings
17:13, Isaiah 29:10).
j) They were fore-tellers of significant future events (2 Samuel 7:5-16, Amos 9:11, Isaiah 9:6,7, Isaiah 53, Ezekiel
34:22ff, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 13:8, Joel, Zechariah 14) and many more.
k) God intended them to be the shepherds and vine-dressers of the nation. As such they were to be the type of Christ,
who is referred to in the Old Testament as "the great prophet" (Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Zechariah 13:5-6, Matthew
21:11 , Luke 7:16, 8: 18-20, 24:19, 23-26, John 7:40,41).
3. There was no "set" formula for the prophets to follow, but certain things were established as "tests" for the people to
be sure the prophet was genuine.
a) The prophet had to have a spiritual life witness that was like Moses (Deuteronomy 34:10 - 12).
b) God spoke to the prophets by dreams and visions. God spoke to Moses face to face but he was an exception
(Numbers 12:6-7).
c) The prophet had to be totally confident of his message, as he was judged by God if there was any falsehood in it (1
Kings 22:13, 14, 2 Kings 5:8).
d) There were to be no secret prophecies, everything was to be open and clear, so that all the people might be warned of
God (Jeremiah 23:25-29).
e) The prophet had to be specific in his message and had to be obeyed literally (2 Kings 5:10-19, note especially verse
13).
4. There were always false prophets; in fact the great prophets of the Old Testament were always outnumbered by false
prophets in their own day (Jeremiah 2:8, Ezekiel 13:1-23). Our Lord warned us that there will always be false prophets
about (Matthew 7:15 - 23). NOTE THE LORD'S WORDS here in that the personal walk of the prophet is to be paid
attention to. No spiritual fruit in their life = no truth in their words. God allows the false prophets to operate without
immediate judgement upon them, so that believers are always presented with an obedience test, to see whether we will
obey the scriptures or follow our own lusts to judgement. False prophets will abound at times of poor Bible teaching.
Weeds only grow in poorly cared for soil (Hosea 4:5, 6, 9:7, 8).
5. Tests that believers must apply when confronting a person claiming the gift of prophecy:
a) The words of the prophet will never contradict the Word of God (Jeremiah 23:33-36, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Corinthians
14:32).
b) The prophet will never call people away from genuine worship of God (Deuteronomy 13:1- 5).
c) The prophet will always be specific and the prophecy will be able to be tested (Deuteronomy 18:20-22, Jeremiah
28:9).
d) Any prophet who asked for money was to be treated as false (Jeremiah 8:10).
e) Any prophet who was a drunkard was to be treated as false (Micah 2:11).
f) Any unconfessed sin of envy, jealousy, strife,.....etc in their life , they were false! (Jeremiah 23:11).
g) God's prophets were generally men alone, not in groups (1 Kings 22:5-8, 18:22).
h) Does the prophecy accord with scripture? (1 Corinthians 14:37, 38, 2 Kings 23:2).
HOLY SPIRIT – MINISTRIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT See page 20
HOLY SPIRIT – OPERATION
This contrasts the different ways in which the Holy Spirit works in different circumstances and location. The locations
under examination are Antioch and lconium. It clearly shows that the outworking of the Holy Spirit varies from place to
place. (Acts 15:22-35) (Antioch) (Acts 14.1-7) (Iconium)
1. In Antioch there was preaching only. At Iconium there was preaching and miracles.
2. Believers cannot base a system of procedures on one successful operation.
3. Because the Holy Spirit permitted miracles in Iconium it does not follow that there will be miracles everywhere.
4. The same success was obtained at Antioch by the preaching and teaching of the word without miracles.
5. The ministry of the believer must be related to the Holy Spirit. Such a ministry may be communicated by doctrine or
verbally and may or may not contain accompanying supernatural phenomena.
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6. The believer cannot compel the Holy Spirit to a type of procedure as at Iconium such as the tongues and healing that
was used in the ancient world. Because God permitted these things in the past it does not follow that they will be used in
the present.
7. The demand for healing miracles and tongues is tantamount to dictating to God and this places the believer in
opposition to the plan of God.
8. Miracles were always used to focus attention on the message from the word and were never used as a sign of
spirituality and power:
(i) The message and not the miracles was always the important factor.
(ii) Emphasising miracles we either detract from the message or have no message at all. The Holy Spirit always
emphasises the message.
(iii) Today emphasis on miracles, tongues and healing obscures the issue of God's Word.
HOLY SPIRIT – SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT See page 12
WORLD See page 29
WORLDLINESS See page 29
NEBUCHADNEZZAR – PRIDE
1. SCRIPTURE 2 Kings 24,25; Jeremiah 22:21-39,43-52; 2 Chronicles 36; Daniel 1-4; Ezra.
2. BIOGRAPHY
Nebuchadnezzar was the eldest son of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Chaldean Empire. He married Nitocris whose
son-in-law Nabonidus and grandson Belshazzar were the last co-rulers of the empire. Nebuchadnezzar, as the crown
prince, led the Babylonian forces that defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish in 605 BC. At this time he brought Daniel
and others of the Judean nobility as hostages back to Babylon. On the death of his father he ascended the throne on
September 6, 605 BC. Jehoiakim of Judah submitted to him (2 Kings 24:1). He captured Jerusalem on March 16, 597
BC, taking Jehoiakim captive and replacing him with Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:11-20). Zedekiah eventually revolted and he
was taken into captivity with the remnant of Judea in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar had much contact with Daniel. The
Jewish captive with God's help interpreted the visions of the arrogant man in Daniel 2 and of the Tree in Daniel 4. Late in
life he suffered from zoantrophy and was in the fields for seven years. He rebelled against God's plan of history by
erecting a huge statue of gold on the plain of Dura. Because they would not worship the idol, Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego were cast into the furnace (Daniel 3). There is some evidence that late in life Nebuchadnezzar became a
believer (Daniel 4:34-37). He died in 562 BC.
3. EVALUATION
Using the Daniel passages in chapters 1 - 4 we see Pride and its result. The main cause of Nebuchadnezzar's pride was
his position:
a) As conqueror (Daniel 1:1,2).
b) As the taker of hostages (Daniel 1:3-6).
c) As the judge with power of life or death (Daniel 1:10, 2:5).
d) As King of Kings (Daniel 2:37).
e) As the recipient of power, strength and glory (Daniel 2:37).
f) As world ruler (Daniel 2:38).
g) As the controller of religion (Daniel 3:3-6).
h) As a great builder (Daniel 4:30).
4. However, he failed to see that his position was not of his own making but of God, and that God can demote as well as
promote:
a) God caused Jehoiakim to fall (Daniel 1:1,2).
b) God gave Nebuchadnezzar his position (Daniel 2:37,38).
c) God gave Nebuchadnezzar the dream of his fall (Daniel 4:13-18).
d) God provided an interpreter (Daniel 4:19-27).
e) He ignored God's direction (Daniel 4:30).
f) God brought Nebuchadnezzar to act as an animal and demoted him (Daniel 4:31-33).
g) Nebuchadnezzar believed and recognised God (Daniel 4:34-37).
5. PRINCIPLES
a) Pride is the worst of all sins (Proverbs 6:16,17).
b) Leaders of men often suffer from pride (2 Chronicles 32:25,26; 1 Timothy 3:6).
c) Pride leads to abuse of power (Isaiah 3:13-16).
d) God controls the destiny of man (Job 1:21).
e) Those who oppress believers will be disciplined by God (1 Kings 21:19).
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f) God controls the individual and will not allow continual abuse of power (Amos 4:1-3).
g) Great rulers can be brought down to the dust (Psalm 135:10).
h) The choice is between pride (own will) and the Scriptures (God's will) (Proverbs 8:13).
i) God will respond to the penitent soul (Psalm 51:17).
j) God will have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3) - the first commandment.
SIN – ABOMINATION SINS TO THE LORD See page 59
ETERNITY PAST
1. Jesus Christ existed before the foundation of the world in glory with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit
(John 1:1-2; 17:5,24).
2. In eternity past the Godhead agreed to permit sin to become manifest in the world of men before being eliminated
forever from the universe (Hebrews 9:26).
3. In eternity past the Son of God agreed to come to earth as a human being to destroy the works of the devil
(1 John 3:8).
4. In eternity past it was ordained that Christ would be slain for the ungodly (1 Peter 1:18-20; Hebrews 10:5-10).
5. In eternity past the world and stars were created by Jesus Christ (Hebrews I:10; Colossians 1:16).
6. Man was placed on the earth to be made "a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men (1Corinthians 4:9).
7. In eternity past believers were chosen in Christ (Ephesians 1:4). Christ is chosen, we share as believers his election.
8. In eternity past a book was written containing the names of those who would believe and survive the destruction of the
universe (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 17:8; 20:15).
However, whilst God knew who would believe, he did not coerce human free will.
GOD – PLAN OF GOD See page 30
CHRISTIAN LIFE – POSITION IN CHRIST
1. We have a position with Christ rather than a position with the cosmos system. We are separated from the world and
are different from them. We have a new position in Christ - Ephesians 2:6
2. We have a new position of partnership with Christ, we are never alone - Colossians 3:4, John 17. We have a
communion with him. He says that he will never put us in a situation without a way of escape. The way of escape is
through Christ.
3. We are workers together with God; we are in his service - 2 Corinthians 3:9, 1:9, 6:1
4. We are ministers of a new covenant, we have a new message to man. 1 Corinthians 3:6, 6:4
5. We are ambassadors for Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:20
6. We are living epistles; we are letters to a lost and unsaved world. Our lives should be such that Christ should be read
from the book of our lives. Our life and lips should tell of Christ and Him alone.
7. We are members of the Royal family - Galatians 6:10, 1 Peter 2:9
8. We are united with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:
a) We are in the Father, he is in us - Ephesians 4:6,
b) We are in Christ - John 14:20,
c) He is in us - Colossians 1:26,
d) We are in the Spirit and he is in us - Romans 8:9.
e) We are united forever to God.
f) We are not part of a universal soul. That is new age.
g) We have been entered into a living union with a personal God.
9. We are members of his body, branches of his vine, living stones, his building, sheep of his fold, part of his bride,
priests in his kingdom, saints set apart for his glory.
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CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL SECURITY
1. When a person truly trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he is saved forever. He cannot lose his salvation.
2. POSITIONAL APPROACH (Romans 8:38-39)
We are united with Christ ("in Christ"). Absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ.
3. LOGICAL APPROACH (Romans 8:32, Romans 5)
As unbelievers we are enemies of God (Romans 5), as believers we are his children. If he did the most for his enemies
what will he do for his children? This excludes loss of salvation for he saved us while we were his enemies.
4. GOD'S HANDS APPROACH (John 10:28, Psalm 37:24)
Neither shall anyone seize them out of my hand. God is all powerful.
5. EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH (2 Timothy 2:12-13)
If we deny Christ He is going to deny us rewards (context=suffering and rewards). If we renounce Him, HE REMAINS
FAITHFUL. The believer is in Christ and Christ indwells the believer. He cannot deny Himself.
6. THE FAMILY APPROACH (Galatians 3:26, John 1:12)
When you believe in Christ you are born again as a child of God. You cannot be unborn, once a child always a child.
7. THE INHERITANCE APPROACH (1 Peter 1:4-5)
We have an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled which fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us who are kept by the
power of God. Perfect tense - it will always be reserved, since it is kept by God, not us.
8. THE SOVEREIGNTY APPROACH (2 Peter 3:9, Jude 24)
He is not willing that any should perish - refers to the whole human race (2 Peter 3:9) Now unto him who is able to keep
you from falling (from perishing). Once you are saved, it is His will that you don't perish.
9. THE BODY APPROACH (1 Corinthians 12:21, Colossians 1:18)
Christ is the head, we are the members of the body. If any are lost, the body of Christ is incomplete.
10. THE GREEK TENSE APPROACH (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"For by Grace are ye saved". Perfect tense of the verb "sozo". For by Grace have you been saved in the past so that you
go on being saved forever.
11. THE SEALING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT APPROACH (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30)
In the ancient world the seal was a guarantee for protection. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit guarantees our security.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL SECURITY – HEBREWS CHAPTER 6
1. SCRIPTURE
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, and the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands and of
resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgement. And this we will do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who
were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. And have
tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame.”
2. APPARENT PROBLEM
Are these people believers and if they are can a believer lose his salvation?
3. EVALUATION
a) In Hebrews chapter 5 verses 1 To 10 the writer of the book to the Hebrews has been teaching them the advanced
doctrine of the High Priesthood of Christ and his comparison with Melchizedek.
b) In Hebrews 5:11 the writer of Hebrews breaks off this theme telling his readers "they are dull of hearing".
c) Further in verses 12-14 of chapter 5 he chides them for not growing up "they need milk (like babies) and not meat (like
adults)" vl2, milk is for those unskilled in the scriptures vl3, whilst meat is for the mature v.14
d) In fact Hebrews 6:9 and following continues to encourage them to get back on the right track. In Hebrews 6:9 they are
called "beloved" - a term for believers.
e) In Hebrews chapter 7 the writer of Hebrews returns to his dissertation on Melchizedek.
f) Hebrews 5:11 to 6:19 can be seen as a passage in parenthesis, a scriptural aside to chasten his Jewish readers who
are within 3 years of 70 AD at which time the Jews will go unto dispersion.
4. GRAMMAR Hebrews 6:1-6 Two points of syntax.
a) In the Greek language when a list is given, rather than repeating the list again the first item of the list is repeated to
indicate that the list is to be repeated c.f. "repentance" and v.1 and v.6
b) The action of the participle in the Greek language always precedes the action of the main verb.
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c) The layout of v.1-6 is:- a list of 6 basic doctrines followed by 5 participles followed by the first doctrine portraying the
list again with the main verb - "impossible to renew" "impossible to renew" - is made up of a noun being used as a verb
which in the Greek gives tremendous emphasis to the verb - it can be translated "totally impossible to renew".
5. THE BASIC DOCTRINE LIST v. 1-4
Therefore leaving the basic doctrines let us go on to perfection (maturity) not going back to the basics.
a) Repentance from good works (human good)
b) Faith towards God (trusting in the promises)
c) Doctrine of Baptisms (outward witness)
d) Laying on of hands (commissioning)
e) Resurrection of the dead (eventual resurrection)
f) Eternal judgement (the fate of the unbeliever)
REPENTANCE in verse 6 is used as the key word for the list of 6 basic doctrines.
6. THE FIVE PARTICIPLES v. 4-6 The action of the participles precede the action of "impossible to renew".
a) Who were once enlightened - AORIST PASSIVE participle of PHOTIZO. Here the passive voice shows that the
subject (the person) received enlightenment. The aorist tense shows the point of time when the believer knew some
doctrine. They received knowledge through bible teaching.
b) "and have tasted of the heavenly gift" - AORIST MIDDLE participle of GEUOMA1 This is the same verb and same
morphology as in Hebrews 2:9 where "Christ tasted death for all men." Aorist tense point of salvation, middle voice of
benefit to us tasting salvation - believing in Christ.
c) "and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit" -AORIST PASSIVE participle of GINOMAI - "to become" this phrase
becomes "and became at a point of time partakers of the Holy Spirit" - this refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the
point of salvation. "partaker" means partner or sharer.
d) "and have tasted the good word of God" - AORIST MIDDLE participle of GEUOMAI - this draws together every time a
person learns the word of God. "and the powers of the world to come" deals with their experience of the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit at the start of the church age.
e) "if they shall fall away " - AORIST ACTIVE participle of PARAPIPTO - literally having fallen away. PARA - immediate
source, PIPTO - to fall. The person who falls away does so of his own free will. Active voice - the person does the action.
7. MAIN VERB
"it is impossible" - "it is" does not occur in the original. "Impossible" is a noun instead of a verb which gives it double
emphasis. Literal translation - Impossible, totally impossible. (v.4)
"to renew again" - present active infinitive - renew or restore to fellowship. (v.6)
Looking at the participles these people:were once enlightened - they are saved tasted the heavenly gift - they are saved partakers of the Holy Spirit - they are
saved tasted the good word of God - they are saved
But these things have been debased by the fifth participle - "shall fall away"
"unto repentance" - with reference to repentance, the first word in the list of basic doctrines.
"seeing" - does not occur in the original and represents two participles which literally translated mean "so long as".
"they crucify to themselves" - how? - by offering animal sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem.
"and put him to an open shame this means from the source of your own negative attitude you have shamed Christ.
In verse 7 the believer producing divine good (herbs) is shown whilst under the provision of God (rain oft) this being
contrasted with the believer in a carnal state producing human good (thorns and briers) in verse 8.
8. CONCLUSION
The people in Hebrews 6:1-6 are habitually carnal believers who are unable to understand the basic doctrines they once
knew let alone the advanced doctrines of the High Priesthood of Christ. You cannot learn God's Word whilst carnal. Their
negative attitude is constantly demonstrated by their offering of animal sacrifices in the temple. In v.9 the writer tells them
"But beloved, we are persuaded of better things of you. " They are urged to become spiritual again.
CHAPTER 9
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, the life that is lived by the person who worships at the shrine of wisdom is compared to the life of the
person who follows after folly. It is a daily choice to follow after wisdom, not a “one shot decision”. This is what makes
the pursuit and capture of wisdom so difficult for mankind; we are not good at “follow through”. Most people can make a
“one shot” decision, but they find it difficult to get up each and every day and make the follow on decisions to stay on the
right track. This is the challenge for Christian living; to make the decision every day, and every hour, to walk in the power
of the Holy Spirit, and let the light of the Word of God shine on the daily path. Psalms 27:1, 36:9, 119:109, 130.
PROVERBS 9:1-18
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath
mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the
highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she
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saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and
live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that
rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man,
and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will
increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou
be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. 13 A foolish woman is
clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high
places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in
secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 3. “1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city”,
A house of seven pillars was a grand two story dwelling, with ample room below and above for a family to live in style
and splendour. It was not a great mansion, but a really large and comfortable superior house for a successful business or
professional couple/family. It is this sense of success that is in the writer’s mind here. Wisdom does not make a
commoner into a king necessarily, nor produce wealth that is excessive, but everything needed is provided. Everything
that allows and enables a person to be successful in their called/chosen path is provided for by the wisdom that flows
from the Word of God.
The path the Lord has called us to walk through this life is fully provided for by biblical wisdom; we can reach our
designed and called potential through the wisdom of God’s Word. The wisdom of the Word must be applied into the
fabric of daily life however. God provides all we need to serve Him, but all that is provided must be sought for, received,
and then utilised. God does not provide things we do not need, and extravagance is always a sign of carnality, never of
spiritual blessing!
Feasting at appropriate times was a sign of being able to fulfil social and cultural expectations for successful people in
the ancient world. In traditional societies this is still the case. In Pacific Island society it is expected that a household,
under its “chief”, will entertain its relatives and related “high chiefs” for great feasts at significant times. These may be
major birthdays, weddings, funerals, or celebrations of community or individual success.
If the family is prosperous, these great feasts, with several hundred people attending, are times of great joy. If the family
is not prosperous these times are times of great humiliation or debt. Many try to pretend they have the money to provide
these feasts, so that they do not lose face in their community, and the debt load incurred causes them to lose their
houses to the loan sharks. This is a great evil. No believer ought ever to loan money to meet any social or religious
“obligation”. We are to give to the Lord, and provide for community and extended family things only, “as the Lord has
prospered us”. 1 Corinthians 16:2.
If a believer does not have enough to give, then they are not to give to the church or any community, or cultural event.
Money is never to be borrowed to give to any church, family, or community event. If we do not have the money to
spare at any time in our life, it is because we are not walking as the Lord intends, or He does not intend us to give at this
point! We need to either accept our path, or walk in different paths, and that is the priority at that time; not any giving.
Refer to the BTB study GIVING. If we walk each day as the Lord intends, then we are going to be able to give to all
things we ought to give to, and feast at appropriate times.
The “mingling of wine” is the mixing of wine at a feast, and the furnishing of the table is the same concept. The sending
out of the “maidens” to invite the guests is the same thing again. It pictures the mature and successful believer, who has
listened to biblical wisdom daily, and has walked in it daily. Such a person will be able to lead his community in their
worship and their celebration of the Lord’s goodness. Such a celebration is not to be done on the basis of a loan to
achieve the image of success. If we are not successful we are to pray and be guided by the Lord back to godly paths; we
are never to cover our lack of success with a loan from a loan shark.
Verses 4 – 6. “4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding”.
The “simple” person is the person who is stupid and doesn’t understand the ways of life to ensure that God’s path is
being followed. These are the people who loan money to appear more successful than they are. There is no excuse for
stupidity in God’s creation, for the Lord has provided wisdom for all who come to her fountain. All each individual must do
is place themselves in the place of power each and every day, and take in the Word of God. It is the determination to
feed on the Word of God that sets apart the successful from the stupid person in this life.
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Many people want to act like the “chiefs” of traditional societies, and successful professional people, but they do not have
the material means to do so. The challenge is not to pretend to be successful, but to be successful God’s way. This
doesn’t mean the ‘prosperity gospel’ message of plenty; it is the genuine message of God’s sufficiency to walk the path
He has called you to walk.
To be successful in this life, the challenge is to daily feed upon the Word of God. Psalms 22:26-29, Isaiah 55:1-3,
Jeremiah 31:12-14, Matthew 26:26-30, John 6:27, 47-58. We are called to hear the call of the Lord and come and eat
and drink daily from the doctrines of the holy Word of God. There is a positive turning to the Word of God, and there is
the corresponding turning away from the bad company of foolish people who will distract and deceive the simple person
back into the pathways of evil. It is vital that we see that we select our pathways by selecting our friends.
It is our company which often times sets us up to be successful or failures in this life. If we are in the company of good
people we are more likely to choose good paths, but if we are always in the company of people who waste their time,
then it will be easier for us to waste our time also. Bad company makes it easier to be bad ourselves. We must be
ruthless in the elimination of bad people from our social network, and as we move forward for the Lord, that will involve
separation from good, but time wasting people also. Psalms 26:4-6, 45:10, 119:115, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. Refer to the
BTB study SEPARATION.
Verses 7 – 9. “7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man
getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning”.
One of the hardest lessons for young counsellors to learn is the principle contained in these verses. When you correct an
evil or foolish person they will literally hate you for it. This fact is baffling to a good person or a person who is keen to
learn to walk after the Lord’ purpose for them. Why do some people hate correction? Their reaction to the truth shows
their true nature, and reveals their habitual life choices. The light is loved by those who love light, but the rats always run
from the light! When you let the light of God’s Word shine into a group of people the rats will either bite you or run for
cover. The Word of God reveals their true nature.
One of the jobs I have done over the years is called “Anger Management”. I am often called in to help people who get
angry in traffic and abuse bad drivers who have irritated them. These people are often sent by their families who get
upset at their family member’s behaviours. I challenge them about their yelling at other drivers. I ask them, “Has any
other driver ever changed their behaviour because of your yelling at them?” The answer is clear and always a
resounding “NO”. All that happens is that the bad driver wants to fight with the person trying to “correct them”.
The truth is wasted on a person who is actively doing evil, for they have by their actions indicated their life style choice. A
wise person does not waste time or energy on such people. A good person who does seek wisdom is worth the effort
however. We are challenged to spend our time with people who have positive volition to the truth, for then all our efforts
will be rewarded.
All our preaching is designed to sift the volition of mankind. As we send the Word of God out the Holy Spirit works in the
heart of each hearer and our job is to put the effort into those who want to hear more. This way the people who the Lord
is calling and are hearing the call are fed and time and effort isn’t wasted on those who have rejected the truth. Refer to
the BTB study POSITIVE VOLITION.
Verses 10 – 15. “10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways”:
The start of all wisdom is the “fear of the Lord”. Proverbs 1:7, Psalms 111:10, John 17:3, 1 John 5:20. If there is no “fear
of the Lord” then the person will live carelessly and in a self centred manner. Those who live this way hate the Lord and
His people. Without a reverence for the Lord people will not pause and hear the Lord’s Word and serve the Lord. A
reverence for God is the start of intelligent living; without that there is little hope for the person to walk well through this
life. To understand the way of God (the holy), or the path of God, is to have the information that makes life meaningful
and purposeful.
If a person walks as God desires them to walk, then they will be provided for by the Lord with all the required material
things to enable them to achieve all they need to achieve. They will also live exactly as long as they need to live to
achieve all that God has for them. Length of days is a blessing when we are living God’s way and achieving God’s
purpose in our life. Every mature (wise) believer will live exactly as long as the Lord intends them to live upon this earth.
If a person is wise before the Lord they themselves will receive great benefit from their wisdom. If they are foolish and
mock others, they will bear the responsibility and consequences that such foolishness brings in its wake. Wisdom does
not mock; it focuses upon God’s path forward, and is not distracted by foolishness of any sort.
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The foolish woman is now referred to in verse 13. A busy body or gossiping woman is a curse in any society. In the
ancient world, as today, women are at the heart of the family and the community, and if they are focused upon good,
then the community is blessed, but if they are self centred gossips, their result is calamity and distress in the community.
These people claim wisdom, but their self centeredness proves their stupidity, and proves they know nothing. 1 Timothy
6:3-6, 2 Timothy 3:5-7.
Once again, the writer identifies the foolish person by the fruit of their life and works. The foolish woman is known by her
words and works. She sits at her door and speaks foolishness to lead others astray from the paths of godliness. By the
fruit of a person’s life their heart is known. If the fruit of a person’s witness is the leading astray of others into evil paths,
then they are evil! Refer to the BTB study WITNESSING.
Verses 16 – 18. “16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith
to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell”.
Folly is alluring and tempting to the foolish person who seeks easy pleasure and secret delights. The story of Pinocchio
is a story that sums this up. The boys who all run away from home end up on “Pleasure Island”. It is a place of no rules
and total self centred pleasure, but over time all the boys end up turning into little donkeys and being taken as slaves to
work in the salt mines. The story tells the truth! All who give themselves over to pleasure without paying heed to God
end up resembling donkeys; they become silly asses!
Stolen waters may be initially sweet but they poison the soul of those who are enticed and deceived by their evil. The
end of sin is death to the soul! There is no other end to sin than death and despair. The foolish person only sees the
pleasures in front of their face; they do not see the consequences of their sin and evil down the track in their life. Acts
20:31, 1 Corinthians 4:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Daily every believer is called to feed upon the Word of God. Daily we are also called to walk away from any
person who will distract us and slow us down in our godly walk. Let us challenge ourselves and the Lord’s people under
our care to make the daily choice to walk in God’s paths.
2.
We are all witnessing to something and someone by our lips and our life. Let us call the people of God to audit
their life witness and ensure that they are bearing godly fruit of righteousness through their daily witness.
3.
The wages of sin is death! Let us warn the foolish of the consequences of their sinful choices. Even if they
ignore our words, at least they have heard the truth and are without excuse before the Lord their God. Let us warn the
foolish and preach the truth that they might be delivered from evil.
DOCTRINES
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIVING See page 36
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SEPARATION
1. Believers are instructed to be separated from habitually carnal believers. (1 Corinthians 5:10, 11)
2. Separation is ordered from apostate religious organisations. (2 Corinthians 6:17)
3. Separation is commanded from unbelievers where scripture is compromised by the relationship or marriage, business
partners. (2 Corinthians 6:14 ff)
4. Separation is commanded from the human viewpoint. (Romans 12:2, Romans 16:17, 18)
5. Separation is commanded from pseudo spirituality. (Romans 16:17, 18)
6. Separation is commanded from those who seek pleasure in fast living - pursuit of parties, immoral situations. (1 Peter
4:4)
7. Separation is commanded from other believers who reject Bible doctrine. (2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15)
GOD – DIVINE INSTITUTIONS – FREE WILL (POSITIVE VOLITION) See page 25
CHRISTIAN LIFE – EVANGELISM (WITNESSING)
1. All believers are ambassadors for Christ, and are obliged to give the give the gospel to unbelievers. (Acts 1:8, 2
Timothy 4:5)
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2. Two forms of witnessing - with the lips (2 Corinthians 5:18-21 and by the life (2 Corinthians 3:3)
3. The gospel is "good news".
4. Sin is not an issue. Jesus died for all sin on the cross. The penalty has been paid. The issue now is "Do you trust
that Jesus Christ has died for your sins, and was raised from the dead to give life to all who believe on Him?" People
choose to either rely upon Jesus Christ, or upon their own good works, to be saved. (Romans 8:1, 9-30-33)
5. What about the heathen who haven't heard?
a) God is totally fair, and everyone has the chance to be saved
b) Unlimited Atonement (Colossians 2:14,15)
c) God's will - none should perish (2 Peter 3:9)
d) Man's negative will – God-consciousness – Gospel hearing.
6. Witnessing is impossible except through the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:8-13) The Holy Spirit convicts of
a) Sin because of unbelief.
b) Righteousness.
c) Judgement because of Satan being judged (Matthew 25:41)
7. The natural man needs the Holy Spirit to understand the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:14)
8. The Bible is the weapon of witnessing. (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4)
9. Biblical Pattern of Witnessing. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
a) Effective contact (v.1 )
b) The gospel must be given even under opposition. (v.2)
c) The gospel must never be compromised or watered down - (v.3)
d) The believer in whom the gospel is deposited is tested by God and should not be for the praise of man. (v.4)
e) Flattery should never be part of the gospel. (v.5-6)
f) Whilst the gospel should not be given to get praise from men it should be given in love without cost (v9)
g) The gospel must be followed up (v 10) with discipleship and teaching (v11) so that the new believer can become
spiritually self reliant. (v.10-12)
10. Your obligation to witness (Romans 1:14-16): you are a debtor (v14), you are ready (v15), you are not ashamed
(v16)
11. Win souls, not arguments. Stay on the gospel, don't get side-tracked.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – EVANGELISM – FISHERS OF MEN
We are fishers of men Matthew 4:19
1. A fisherman needs to be prepared and equipped to do the task. You need to be walking in the Spirit and you need to
know the gospel. We need to be prepared in knowledge and power. Quite often you need to be trained.
2. The fishermen go to where the fish are. As a believer you must be in contact with unbelievers so that you can
individually target them. This is why monasticism is wrong.
3. Fishermen are patient. They wait. They know the fish are there but they wait until the right time to cast the bait. You do
not waste your bait but walk under the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that when you recognise that someone is under the
conviction of the Holy Spirit you can fish successfully. You work with unbelievers and look for an opportunity provided by
the Holy Spirit to give the gospel.
You do not give them the gospel when they are five kilometres away. Ignorant Christians are blurting out the gospel to
unbelievers who have not been prepared and consequently are disturbing the fish. They are not sensitive, they are not
waiting seeing what the Spirit is doing. In Acts the people who were being added to the church were those who were
being saved by the work of the Holy Spirit.
4. Fishermen know what bait to use and the different approaches to catch all sorts of fish. You do not have the same bait
for all fish. Paul for instance gave a different message in Athens compared to what he gave in Phillipi. This is the danger
of having just one tract in your pocket as it constrains you in your approach. You have to be flexible and know where the
people are so that it will be meaningful to them and meet them where they are. Paul in Acts 16 is talking to philosophers
so he comes in at a different level than in other cases.
5. Fishermen concentrate on fish and not the fishpond. You are to fish for fish and not try and clean the fishpond. We
should be concerned with the souls of men and not cleaning up the environment. 1 Peter 1:17, Ephesians 5:16,
Colossians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 9:22
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CHAPTER 10
INTRODUCTION
We begin here the first selection of straight lists of Solomon’s proverbs. They are grouped but as a “flow of
consciousness” rather than by set topics. The topics flow from one to the next in a Middle Eastern manner, rather than
being clear theme-sorted lists as in the Western manner. Let us “go with the flow” of the collector’s thoughts as we go
through this and the next sections. We have no idea as to whether Solomon himself gathered his own proverbs into
books related by theme, or simply wrote them out as they flowed from his mind. The gatherer of this collection is working
with a method. He is building a picture of a wise young man who is truly listening to his father’s wisdom; he is trying to
show us what such a person would look like, and what the alternative looks like.
The collector of the Proverbs is clear in his mind, as Solomon was in his own, that the distance between the wise man
and the fool is very narrow. It is the distance between each decision we take that either builds wisdom or undermines it.
Each small decision creates a big divergence in life paths over time and distance. What begins as a “small difference of
opinion” between a saved and the lost friend may over a lifetime become two separate life choices that produce lives that
are poles apart. A great ship that is only one degree off course will be hundreds of miles from its true destination over
quite a short time.
PROVERBS 10:1-32
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. 3 The LORD will not suffer the
soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. 4 He becometh poor that
dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. 5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son:
but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. 6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but
violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked
shall rot. 8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. 9 He that walketh uprightly
walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. 10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow:
but a prating fool shall fall. 11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of
the wicked. 12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding
wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. 14 Wise men lay up knowledge:
but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of
the poor is their poverty. 16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. 17 He is in
the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. 18 He that hideth hatred with lying
lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that
refraineth his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh
rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath
wisdom. 24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. 25
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. 26 As
vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. 27 The fear of the
LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous shall be
gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but
destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not
inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 3. “1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of
his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked”.
The writer wants us to see clearly that these are the work of King Solomon, but that he is laying them before us with a
clear purpose in mind, and he wants us to see that purpose. Allow this to emerge as we read these Proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 2:19, 12:19. Those who go on in their understanding and application of the Word of God make the heart
glad of all who see and meet them. They are a cause of rejoicing in the lives of all who love the Lord. 2 Corinthians 1:1214.
We are meant to bring joy into the lives of others, and be a reason for positive emotion for all we meet. The word “fruit”
sums this up; for the believer who walks with the Lord is to be sweet to the taste in all their fellowship with others. We are
meant to be a blessing into the lives of others, and we are a blessing when the Word of God has free reign in our souls.
The FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT always involves rejoicing in the Lord and His Word. If people are not able to rejoice in
the Lord it is because they don’t really know Him!
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A wise father will rejoice in the spiritual success of his son, and will be glad for him and others when he sees his son’s
positive impact upon others. Fathers in the ancient world would disown their sons if they turned out badly, and even deny
them a place at the family table. This is why the parable of the Prodigal Son was so special and unusual when the Lord
told it. Luke 15:11-32. It was the normal thing for a father to simply cut off the son who went away from godliness. Such a
son would never be spoken of again, but the mother would quietly and privately weep for such a boy. The deep sadness
that foolishness causes in the life of the godly mother is spelled out for the young sons of Solomon to reflect upon. What
do they want for their lives? What impact do they want their lives to have upon their earthly parents, let alone their
heavenly father?
All that wickedness achieves is “nothing” in the long run. There is no lasting profit in evil, for all that evil produces will be
swept away by the winds of time. I reflected upon this yesterday as I walked through a local town centre. A crooked
businessman who has taken advantage of many older people through the years, and by guile, cunning, and immoral
practises has made his fortune was there in his office. Outside his office is his car, a Porsche 911. As I looked at the car,
as I parked my old van, I reflected on his joy as he drove that car. He certainly enjoys driving it, and feels very special,
but his life is in turmoil at home and there is no safe place for him to lay his head each night.
He has all the wealth that his crooked dealings have gained him, but he has none of the peace of mind that is required to
really enjoy his brief time upon the earth. He snatches brief moments of pleasure, but there is no rejoicing. I looked at the
lovely car and felt a deep sorrow for the misery I know he has in his personal and family life. There is no present hope for
any change in this man also, for he hates the Lord and the Christian faith with a vengeance. In his hatred of the truth he
bears fruit for his soul’s choices. There is no peace (no shalom – blessing) for the wicked. Isaiah 57:20-21.
The fear of death often dominates the thinking of these foolish and evil men. All they have is tied up in their goods upon
the earth and once they die it is all lost to them, whereas, once the believer dies all their treasures are freed up to be
enjoyed by them. Matthew 6:19-20. We go to our rewards, but they go from the rewards of their evils. It is righteousness
that delivers us from the fears of death. It is godliness that gives us confidence as we face our maker. It is the FRUIT OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT that provide the evidence in the soul of our future blessings, just as it is the fruit of the Old Sin Nature
that provides the evidence of evil in the life of the fool.
The righteous person may have needs at times, but they will be kept by the Lord they serve, for His Holy Name depends
upon that. 2 Timothy 2:11-12. The evil fool however, is a person under judgement, and even while they suck dry all the
pleasures they can get from their lusts, their cravings will never be satisfied. Lust has no end to its desires. Once
pleasure is chosen as the end point of a life there is no hope for true happiness for that person. They will always be
disappointed with what their lust delivers, for their evil imagination could always desire more evil and jaded pleasures.
They are in torment while they live and torment after their death. Psalms 49:6-15, 20, Luke 12:15-21, 16:23-31.
Verses 4 – 9. “4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.”
Why is it that two men of similar backgrounds may have such divergent paths in this life? How is it that one man has
great prosperity and another great disasters? Solomon is clear that the reason is to be found in their repeated daily life
choices. It is not their equality at birth and difference in intelligence that separates them, but their ability and
determination to apply all that they know into daily life by focused work. The lazy man fails because he is not determined
to succeed, and the successful man succeeds simply because he is so determined to succeed, and he works hard to
achieve his goals. He lets nothing stand in his way, whereas the lazy man lets everything stand between him and his
potential success.
The “slack hand” of verse four is the lazy and tired hand of a man who doesn’t set his heart and hand to achieve great
things. He is lazy and worn out by his imagination and fantasy life, not by his hard work. Have you ever noticed that there
are men who are always telling you about their plans, but never actually achieving anything? They are living with “slack
hands” according to Solomon, and need to strengthen their hands for the work and get them dirty working hard, for hard
work is the path to blessing, and those who will not work, ought not to be given food by others. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12,
2 Thessalonians 3:7-13, 2 Peter 1:5-10.
When it is time to harvest, no matter how the farmer is feeling, or what pleasant activities he may want to do, he gets up,
gets his tools, and heads out the door, and reaps his crop. The farmer who does not have this self discipline will not reap
the rewards of his earlier labour and his crop will rot in the fields. To sleep through the time of harvest is to bring the
shame of starvation upon the family. It is a terrible thing when the laziness or alcoholism of a husband and father
destroys the life and prosperity of a family.
That is the picture of the lazy man here; he is a drinker who has a hang over and doesn’t have the energy to head out
and reap his own fields, but sleeps off his alcohol through the day when he ought to be working. Isaiah draws this picture
more fully, and it is an awful one and it leads to a nation’s judgement. Isaiah 28:1-12. Read these verses and note that
even here there is hope if the men hear the Word of God and repent. Isaiah 55:6-11. It is the reception of doctrine alone
that will bring hope into the lives of men.
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Blessings come to the life and families of those who are just and righteous. It may take time, but there is earthly blessing
for those who follow the Lord’s paths. This blessing is not necessarily material and financial, but it may be. The real
blessing in view here by Solomon is spiritual and family based. It is the blessing of soul joy in the lives of all who
fellowship with the righteous man, and within his own soul and family life.
When we speak as God’s people we will speak words that bless and uplift, but when the evil man speaks, he will speak
words of violence and hatred, and those terrible emotions will come back to slap him in the mouth. “From the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaks”. Matthew 12:34. Jesus then notes that it is by our words that we are justified or
condemned. Matthew 12:34-37. Our words ought always to be “seasoned with spiritual salt”. Romans 10:9-10,
Ephesians 4:29, James 3:1-13. The witness of our lips ought always to be wisdom and righteousness, so that people are
drawn to the fruit of our lips, and there they get a taste of the wisdom of our Lord.
In life the righteous man is a blessing and a source of good words, and in death their memory is sweet to all who knew
them. The body rots away for the godless and the righteous, but the memory of the righteous man brings blessing as
things are recalled and savoured of their words, even many years later. I was reflecting in a time of a serious flu type
illness a fortnight ago on this fact. I was unable to work and simply rested through nine days of fever and distress.
Through that time I just reread Dr J Vernon McGee’s Commentary on the Bible from his “Thru the Bible Radio”
broadcasts. As I read his words there on the page I heard his voice again in my mind and rejoiced and praised God for
the great joy that man brought into my life in the 1970s when I would listen to him.
As I thanked God for that godly man I fulfilled this verse before us; his very memory is a blessing and his words live on
and bless a new generation over twenty years after his death. The name of the godless however is forgotten, for their
deeds are not worthy of recall. I visit the grave of my godly parents in law at times and give thanks for their witness. They
are surrounded by many graves of both believers and unbelievers, and the unbelievers graves are interesting, for even
the grand and expensive ones are derelict now, for their families have moved on and the evil people are now forgotten.
Truly the name of the wicked rots with their body! Psalms 9:5-6, 109:13-15, Ecclesiastes 8:10.
Wise men and women are teachable; they can receive instruction without offence being received or given. Psalms
119:33-35, Ecclesiastes 10:12. The mark of wisdom is teachability, and the mark of a fool is their refusal to receive
correction. No matter what age we get to in this life there will always be things to learn and receive from the Lord. A spirit
of openness to learning from godly people is always a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s presence in a heart.
A fool is shown by the fruit of his mouth. The ancient Greeks had a saying, “Speak friend, that I might know you”. In this
they spoke of the guide to discover whether wisdom existed in the life of the person being examined, for as they spoke
their true state of mind became clear for all to see. Total ruin is the lot of the foolish man, for by refusing good counsel
they plunge from disaster to disaster. There is no hope for the person who refuses to listen to good counsel. The person
who thinks they “know it all” will eventually make the final disastrous mistake and lose all their good luck has built up.
To walk in “innocence” (verse nine) is to walk without malice and guile. To be innocent of evil as we walk through this life
is to be pure of motive and honest in our dealings with others. Such a person is able to walk securely through the world
of commerce and politics for they do not make enemies by their evil deeds. They can walk with confidence for they walk
with God’s Character as their guide and the Lord as their mentor. Psalms 25:21. Truly integrity and righteousness
preserve us in this dangerous world!
Let us be reminded of the truth about the nature of this world; it is an unsafe place for those who do not walk with God.
This world is the battlefield of the ANGELIC CONFLICT. The honest person walks and lives in the light of day; they are
open to scrutiny and pleased that others check out their lives, for they have nothing to hide. The evil man however walks
in the darkness of secret places, but his paths are known by God and eventually by all men. 1 Corinthians 4:5.
Verses 10 – 13. “10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of
understanding.”
We “wink” at people in playful ways, but that is not the thought behind these verses. The “winking” here is the malicious
looks of people through narrowed eyes towards their intended victims. Such behaviours produces sorrow for the hearts
of all involved. There is trouble for all involved where malice creates plots and plans to abuse others. The abuser and the
abused are both hurt by the process. The abuser often believes they have succeeded, but any apparent success is short
lived. The “evil eye” will rot the soul of the evil man and he will unravel over time. These people speak great swelling
words of pride, but their words will come back to haunt them. 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 16.
The results of our words in our own life and the lives of others are a good test to their origin. The words of righteous
people will bring health and blessing, but the words of the unrighteous will bring cursing to others and the speaker.
Righteous people are a “well of life giving water” to all they meet, but evil people are poison. Psalms 37:27-34,
Ephesians 4:29. Evil people cover their malice by fine words, but there is violence in their lips and words. This thin veil of
pleasantness is soon knocked away by time, and the evil man is shown for what he truly is.
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Hatred will stir up more evils, but the words of the righteous will bring peace and calm into difficult situations. Psalms
107:41-42, Ecclesiastes 10:12-14. By our words we are known. We are either the slaves of sin or the servants of God.
The paradox of this life is that true freedom only comes by having the right master! There is true freedom only as a
servant of God, for there we are free from the slavery to anger, hatred, and all other manner of evils. John 8:32-36.
Hatred is the fruit of an uncontrolled Old Sin Nature. It destroys the peace of the person involved and then overflows to
the lives of all who the evil person meets. This principle of “overflow” is described by Jesus in Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45.
From the abundance of evil more evil flows outwards to pollute all around the person, but from the abundance of wisdom
and the fruit of the Spirit, good things flow outwards to bless others and refresh them. 1 Corinthians 16:18, 2 Corinthians
7:13, 2 Timothy 1:16.
Love expressed into godly actions covers a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20, 1 Peter 4:8. The wise person learns
because they love the Lord and that love overflows into hunger for the truths of God’s Word and will for their life. There is
no real effort to learn more of a loved one; it is a joy to learn more about the character and plans of the one you love. So
it is with the wise person in relation to the character and plan of God. On their lips wisdom is found and they never need
any correction, but the fool will do things that bring disgrace and a beating will be eventually dished out to all who do
foolish things. The “rod” of discipline will be applied by authorities to the backs of fools eventually. They receive the
punishment of a slave, because they are a slave to their emotions, rather than the servants of God. Psalms 32:8-11.
Verses 14 – 19. “14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
These verses examine further “Cause and Effect” principles associated with the acceptance and application of wisdom,
and also its rejection. Wise people take wisdom seriously and store up all the knowledge of God that they can gain
through study and application. The wise person is always close to the Word of God, but the fool is always close to
disaster! What do you delight in believer? If we delight in the wisdom of the Lord we will have fragrant lives that bring
blessing to others, but if we delight in evil we will be delivered disaster!
A wise rich man builds his house into a fortress and keeps himself safe within strong walls. So many rich men show their
shallow natures by buying more and more “toys” to play with, but the wise rich man builds a secure place for himself and
his trading empire to operate from. The wise man sees that the most important thing is security and ensures he “keeps”
his house intact from evil men. As Jesus will later say, the strong man armed keeps his palace. Luke 11:21.
The wise man uses his wealth to create independence in his business and stability in his capitalization. Foolish men
keep purchasing on credit and expanding their empires to the point where the entire house of cards falls down. Psalms
52:7-8. The wise man repays his debts quickly and builds upon capital he can control. The poor man is caught by not
being able to exercise independence in this way. He is at the mercy of others who have the capital.
The labour, or hard work, of the righteous man will always be rewarded by the Lord in time and eternity. The nature of
the reward is in God’s hands, but the righteous man and woman relax in God’s hands knowing that their work will never
be wasted in the Lord’s service. Righteous work is life giving work, but evil works are always judged. Sin is added to sin
by those who walk the path of evil, and the result is that Satan will pay them their wages in full one terrible day. “The
wages of sin is death!” Romans 6:23. To follow after wisdom and feed daily upon doctrinal truth is to walk the paths of
life, but to walk the paths of evil is to walk with death. Matthew 7:24-26, John 6:27, 1 Corinthians 15:55-58, Hebrews 2:14.
To refuse correction guarantees that you will make errors and fail later. No matter what the venture, it can always be
improved or strengthened by good counsel. Those who through narcissism refuse correction open the doors to disaster.
This principle is so important that it is repeated constantly throughout Proverbs and scripture generally. Being straight
forward in your dealings with others is a sign of a God anointed life. Jesus said, “let your yes be yes, and your no be no”.
Matthew 5:37, James 5:12. What we say we ought to mean and what we mean we ought to say. God’s purpose is that
we might be blessed in spirit and in truth. We will be blessed if we serve the Lord in truth and walk in and stand for truth.
To hide hatred is to rot the heart out from within, and to spread slanderous things about others is to show your self a fool
indeed. To think, plan, or spread evil is to partake of evil. There is no benefit in spreading evil about others. This does not
mean that we do not expose evil dealings, for we must do so to protect others at times. This rebuke is always to be
public and open, never by stealth and gossip. If a person is dangerous they are to be publicly rebuked, but slander and
gossip is to be beneath the child of God. Ephesians 5:11, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 1:13, 2:15.
My late father in law had an old Irish saying that sums up verse nineteen. He would express it this way; “The more you
say the less the better”. It is one of those wonderful sayings that expresses the truth that the more a man speaks the
more likely it is that he will demonstrate his foolishness at some point., and it would be best to stop right now. The person
who is wise says little unless they have something powerful to communicate, and even then they are guarded with their
words, and direct and honest in their meaning. The old law of communication expressed it well; “Keep it Simple Stupid!”
(KISS).
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There are times to sit back and really hear what is being said rather than making any observation at all. If we hear what
is being said and make sure we really understand it we will often learn more than in any other way. It is truly hearing our
spouse’s that makes marriages work well. A major study of marriage proved beyond all doubts that the most important
thing for marriage partners is feeling that their partner hears and understands them truly. To truly hear another is to treat
them as valuable, and this shows wisdom. It is not in our speaking, but in our silences that Solomon believes we build
and demonstrate our character. James 3:2ff.
Verses 20 – 26. “20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.”
Real value is seen in wise words, and the tongue that speaks good counsel is worth more than silver. To hear the words
of a wise woman or man is a joy to the soul and it is strength to the bones and the business. The wicked person however
is of little real worth, no matter what their words say. Over time the true value of men’s deeds emerge and the real
content of their hearts is revealed for all to see. To have wisdom is to understand the value of giving away knowledge to
others. No person ever lost out by giving away all they learned to others, for by blessing others with wisdom, it grows.
Only the arrogant person holds onto their knowledge and fears its spread to others, and such arrogance is normally
misplaced! 1 Timothy 4:7-12, 2 Timothy 4:1-5. By spreading blessing through the teaching of Bible doctrine we build
blessing for ourselves later, but fools perish for lack of wisdom. What we sit upon we will lose, for it is in teaching truth
that truth is fully and finally applied, and only then does its blessing fully flow back to the person who has passed it on.
When the Lord blesses us with any gift or material blessing there is never any sorrow in its tail. Often the world brings
what they call “blessing”, but it is a scorpion with poison in its tail. I have seen godless people “blessed” by inheritances
or lottery winnings, but within a few years they have lost their money and are in a worse state than they were before they
“got lucky”. There is no such thing as “luck” without a terrible cost to pay.
When the Lord blesses us we are truly and fully blessed, be it materially or spiritually. Paul was able to affirm this truth
late in his life to the church at Philippi. Philippians 4:11-13. He could look back over many years walking with the Lord
and rejoice in the Lord’s provision for him and see that he never had any need that the Lord did not meet and bless
abundantly. Read through his testimony in 2 Corinthians 11:23-31, and see how much he suffered, and yet he later
writes these words to the Philippians. He had learned that the Lord was able to keep him in all situations.
Foolish people look upon sinful behaviours as sport. I have worked with men and women who considered their
fornication and adultery a sport. They “kept the score” on their adultery and marked each sexual partner and boasted of
their exploits. Such evil people will be undone in the end, and the man and woman of wisdom stays well away from such
people and their activities. There are places we do not go and people with whom we do not fellowship if we are wise.
Wise people walk in the Lord through FAITH and they have confidence as they walk but the evil people fall into the very
things they fear. What we fear tells us a great deal about our character and our life interests and plans. The evil people
fear that their own behaviours may come back to bite them and they normally do! Solomon looks out at his life and sees
that this is indeed the case; the evil and foolish people reap their own crop of deceit and disaster. What they have done
to others comes back and settles upon them. The righteous however receive not their fears but their desires.
Let us be reflective over this matter. What are our deepest desires? Do we seek the Lord’s will for our life and the
blessing associated with His will only? It is the desires of the heart that are the indications of our true value system. What
we seek is what we value. Wise people value good things and labour hard to achieve things of value, but the fool is lazy
and wastes time and materials. Those who trust their work to lazy people will have endless frustration and annoyance,
for they will always make excuses as to why they cannot perform their assigned tasks. Lazy people (fools in Solomon’s
language) will promise to do things but will always have reasons why they never get around to it.
Solomon cuts through this with the proverb in verse 26. To some commentators the proverb here is “out of place”, but as
we see above it fits in the “stream of consciousness” way this chapter is put together. These “fools” set your teeth on
edge like vinegar, and they are like “smoke in the eyes”, an irritant, for they never do the things they promise. These are
men without character, and they lack the character because they have lacked the hunger for wisdom from the beginning.
The little choices to ignore Bible doctrine and the little failures to follow through and apply God’s Word leads to a person
later who cannot be trusted to do what they promise.
Verses 27 – 32. “27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.”
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh
frowardness.”
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In stark contrast to the fool who cannot be trusted and the other evil types of people who do awful things, the wise person
is one who lives well and long. That is, they live for the full time the Lord wants them upon the earth. When we speak of
the Lord “prolonging days”, we see that Solomon means the person lives a full and fruitful life. The great sadness I have
as I read this is that Solomon himself failed to enjoy this blessing because of his sinful life style later in his life and so he
died relatively young at around sixty years of age. His wickedness with the many women he loved shortened his days
and destroyed his kingdom. 1 Kings 11:1-10.
The length of life is different, but also the quality of life is different between the godly and the unrighteous. The
expectation for the mature believer is always that the Lord will bless with more joy. Under great pressures myself through
the last four years, I look back and see nothing but the expectation of joy, and also I see many times of rejoicing in the
midst of the pressures. As believers who value and feed upon Bible doctrine we are always looking forward and are
expectantly longing for the blessings that the Lord gives. Psalms 16:8-9. All the unbeliever, or foolish believer without
doctrine in their soul can look forward to is their next fear manifesting itself.
The Lord’s way for us to walk through this life will build strength of character and strength of body. If a person is not
physically, mentally, and spiritually becoming stronger, then what they are learning is not Bible doctrine! God’s Word
always builds strength, which is why the writer to the Hebrews urges the readers to strengthen their weak knees and
stand in the doctrines he has taught them. God’s Word empowers, it is the enemy who disempowers! Whenever people
are being controlled and disempowered what you are looking at is a satanic deception, not a genuine Christian religion.
Refer to the BTB studies on SATAN’S COUNTERFEITS, RELIGION. The sign of a cult is always mind control and
disempowerment of the people involved. If a religion does not set a person free, then it is not Biblical Christianity! John
8:32-36. Whatever destroys the soul of a person is not biblical Christianity, for it is the hallmark of Satan which is the
destruction of the personality. God builds up; and there is no destruction of personality with the Lord, rather we become
the people we were designed to be. He does not cast us down, except in order to lift us up higher. 1 Peter 5:5-9.
Even though the evil people upon the earth may succeed for a time, they will not win long term. All the evil ones who
choose to follow after Satan will be cast from the earth. Their destiny is to join Satan forever; their choice to follow him
will be eternal unless they reverse it before their death. Revelation 20:10-15. The wicked will not inhabit the earth in the
end. Wickedness will be dealt with by God, but the judgement is simply “not yet”. The presence of evil in the world is
used for an argument against God, but it is a strong argument for the grace and love of God. He has not YET judged
those who deserve it, but He will, in His time and His way.
The wise and godly person is always speaking good and useful things, and even into eternity that will be true, but the
wagging tongue of the evil ones will be silenced by the end of time. The phrase from Matthew seven, “by their fruits you
will know them” applies to both the good and the evil person. The very wagging evil tongue of the person who has
chosen to follow after Satan will be silenced and they will be eliminated in the end. Those who have selected Satan as
their company for eternity and mocked God and the godly will get their wish for eternity! Refer to the BTB study on
GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT. The lies and falsehoods of the godless and the hypocrites will all be seen for
what they are in the light of God’s presence, and we can wait until then to see judgement fully and finally done.
Following the theme of honesty in life and lips the proverbs flow to examine two further indicators of evil choices; in effect
these are two “fruits of evil”. The first in verse 32 is the lying lips of the godless person. When godly (or righteous) people
speak, their lips speak words of comfort and doctrine. If we love the Lord we love to speak often of Him and speak often
about Him. By our lips we proclaim the love of God for us and the joy we have in that love. The evil ones however must
speak lies, for their lives are built upon the satanic lies he has told them. They have a choice until the day death takes
them; to bow before the Lord and accept the truth, or to continue in their evil ways and follow the enemy of man to the
Lake of Fire. Satan’s malice is seen best in this, for he hates mankind and he desires to have as many as he can join him
in the Lake of Fire. It is sheer malice that drives him, and sadly sheer malice often will drive those who fellowship too
closely with him.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Rejoice in the Lord believer, for in praise and worship you express your confident hope in the future of your life
in time and eternity. Rejoicing is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Make a habit of enjoying spiritual fruit every day and sharing
this life fruit with your friends. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is made to be shared.
2.
Laziness is a curse to believer and unbeliever alike; it is a time robber and a cause for disasters to come over
time. There is no excuse for laziness. Each and every person is called to break through the barrier of lethargy and work
hard for their daily bread. We are not to encourage lazy people with handouts, but with rebuke and challenge.
3.
Teachability is a sign of a Holy Spirit filled person. Every child of God is always ready to be corrected by their
heavenly father through the ministries of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is unteachable is not walking in the Spirit. Let us
challenge ourselves about our openness to correction, and our readiness to make changes in our life and work.
4.
Evil people will be judged by the Lord, and we can leave their cases in the Lord’s hands for righteous and just
judgement. Our job is to preach the Gospel to them, not worry about their choices or the Lord’s final dealing with them.
We are in the Lord’s hands and each person makes their own call on their destiny. Our task is to walk humbly before our
God and leave the choices of men with them, and having given them the truth we leave them without excuse.
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DOCTRINES
CHRISTIAN LIFE – FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT See page 13
ANGELS – ANGELIC CONFLICT See page 18
ANGELS – SATAN’S COUNTERFEITS
1. Doctrine of Demons (1 Timothy 4:1)
2. Communion Table (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
3. Ministers (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
4. Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)
5. Spirituality (Galatians 3:2-3)
6. Righteousness (Matthew 19:16-28)
7. Power (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)
8. gods (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
9. Religions (Matthew 23)
RELIGION
1. Satan's religion is a humanly acceptable one: no sin, no judgement, no Saviour and no Hell. Satan appears as an
angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-19,26)
2. Many pastors in the churches are servants of Satan's policy, knowingly or unknowingly. (Isaiah 30:12, Jeremiah 2:8, 2
Peter 2:1-10)
3. Satan's strategy towards unbelievers is to keep them blinded to the gospel. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Colossians 2:8, 2
Thessalonians 2:9-10)
4. Satan's strategy towards believers is:a) To confuse by false teaching. (Matthew 7:15, Romans 16:18)
b) To appeal to pride. (2 Corinthians 10:12)
c) To promote idolatry. (Habakkuk 2:18,19)
d) To promote legalism. (1 Timothy 1:7-8)
5. Satan's policy calls for counterfeit faith:a) Counterfeit gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)
b) Counterfeit pastors. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
c) Counterfeit communion. (1 Corinthians 10:19-21)
d) Counterfeit doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:1)
e) Counterfeit righteousness. (Matthew 19:16-28)
f) Counterfeit way of life. (Matthew 23)
g) Counterfeit power. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)
h) Counterfeit gods. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
JUDGEMENT – GREAT WHITE THRONE See page 24
CHAPTER 11
INTRODUCTION
This chapter continues the proverbial sayings of the last, moving into the business and social worlds. Solomon has
reflected long about the different destinies of the righteous and the unjust or evil man. He sees that over time they end up
totally different in their lives and in their reputations. Some of these proverbial sayings may date from later in his life and
may even be from the time when he writes Ecclesiastes. There were echoes of that book’s conclusions in some sayings
of the last chapter also.
The similarities may also have another explanation. Because the final form of the book of Proverbs comes from a much
later date (probably the days of Ezra) it may be that the original order of writing may be lost. The editor of this book may
have mixed proverbs together from all the days of Solomon, and this may be a clue that Solomon was writing two types
of proverbial sayings as he went through his life. The first type, the more positive and teaching sayings, dominate the
early years of his life and form the basis for this book before us. Even in these early days some more cynical sayings pop
up, but what I call the “positive wisdom” sayings dominate in the first twenty years of his reign.
The second type is the more jaded, even cynical proverbial sayings, and they begin to dominate later in his life, and they
form the basis for the book of Ecclesiastes. That book has a different feel altogether to the book of Proverbs. Positive
proverbial sayings probably still flow from Solomon’s lips into his last years, but they are blighted by the frustrations
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associated with his own poor life choices. While Proverbs has the Editor’s stamp upon it, the book of Ecclesiastes reads
as if it comes directly from the jaded and sad heart of the older Solomon, and I believe that is exactly what we have
there.
In Solomon’s own day it may be that his court simply “published” annual manuscripts of his wisdom as the proverbs
poured out from his lips, and were quickly recorded by his scribes. Books of proverbial sayings were common in the
ancient world. It is from these, sadly now lost books, that Ezra or one of the prophets of his day, edit the book before us
into its final form. All this is supposition however, and I am happy to stand corrected in heaven by the author and/or the
editor(s).
PROVERBS 11:1-31
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then
cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the
perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness
delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his
own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their
own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men
perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9 An hypocrite with
his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10 When it goeth well
with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the
upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12 He that is void of wisdom
despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but
he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of
counsellors there is safety. 15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is
sure. 16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17 The merciful man doeth good to
his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him
that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil
pursueth it to his own death. 20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are
upright in their way are his delight. 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the
seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is
without discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to
poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that
withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27 He
that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28 He that
trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29 He that troubleth his own house
shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more
the wicked and the sinner.
REFLECTIONS
Verses 1 – 5. “1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.”
God cares about honesty in the business world. Deuteronomy 25:13-16. Honesty and integrity are the foundation of
business ethics, and national prosperity. Corruption amongst government or business will destroy the prosperity of the
economy of any nation. The more corrupt business is, the less prosperous the economy of that nation will be.
Examine history and see this principle working out through time. It is arrogance/pride that is at the heart of all dishonesty.
When men or women start to believe all the great things that others say about them they are in danger of this fatal error.
When men start to believe their own publicity machines they are a hairs breadth from disaster.
An old friend of mine has sadly just fallen badly in this very area in recent days. He always had a fatal flaw of narcissism,
and believed he was special and entitled to special treatment and special perks in each job area he moved into. He was
however honoured in many areas for his hard work, and he did work very hard, but he grew in pride in proportion to
growing in reputation. His fall has been catastrophic and shameful to himself and his family. It is a simple working out of
the principle of verse two here before us. Many politicians and business people have fallen in this way through recent
years in many nations.
Verse three covers a principle of behaviour that has only been fully understood in recent years through study of the
“Fight-Flight” area of the brain. When we are under pressure we need to draw upon our instinctive values and
foundational behaviours. In such times we will respond instinctively and sub-consciously and do what is the most “natural
thing” for us to do.
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When we face pressure our minds are designed to go to their oldest and most foundational programs to guide us through
sub-consciously. What we have laid up over years will then guide us in all things. If we have made a strong habit of
integrity and honesty, then we will respond in those terms to the crisis we face, but if we have laid down for years a habit
of lies and deceit, then a lie will slip from the tongue faster than lighting, even if it is counter-productive.
I have seen both men and women lie in situations when the truth would have served them better, but their base line habit
was deceit, and so they lied without thinking. Their habit of deceit and perverseness destroyed them in the end. It is often
when the crisis comes that these things emerge. The clever liar has hidden their deceit for years, and often people are
baffled by their apparently bizarre behaviour in the crisis, but it was simply their base habits emerging from underneath
the cover of their hypocrisy. Crises strip away hypocrisy frighteningly fast! Psalms 25:20-22, 26:1-4.
Wealth may buy us weapons, but it cannot buy us the ability to use them, nor the strategic mind to fight well the battles
we may face. Verse four identifies the limitations of wealth in the military and business crisis area. The stream of thought
in this chapter is “facing crises”. It is a crisis that opens up the character of every person and through each crisis we can
see deeply into their value system and behavioural repertoire. What is in the heart then truly emerges quickly.
When a sudden calamity strikes, the man who is righteous can draw upon his relationship with God and walk in safety
through the battle or crisis, but the man with wealth alone is now simply a moving target. Wealth does not gain any man
anything in a crisis, for wealth is simply “booty” to the attacker, be they a business rival, robber, or enemy soldier. Isaiah
10:1-4, Ezekiel 7:16-19, Zephaniah 1:14-18.
Verse five covers a situation I see almost weekly in my work. There is a sense of psychological security in a crisis that a
righteous person may feel within, for they know that the crisis they face is in no way judgement upon them. They are able
to face the crisis squarely and intelligently for they are not disabled by any false or true guilt. Guilt compounds a crisis for
an unjust person. Even if their guilt is “false” in this situation they are still disabled by it.
Many people I work with clinically in my practise face crises, and those who carry great burdens of guilt from their past
evils do not face the crises well at all. They feel that the crisis is their fault, and in some way a judgement for their sins. It
may be at times (true guilt), but mostly it is not (false guilt), but their fears and guilt mix to disable them. Their past evils
make them unable to intelligently respond to the crisis in a way that would help them to survive, and often they
compound their situation by further self defeating behaviours.
Just yesterday a man kept saying, after unloading each disastrous thing he had done to create his crisis, “but wait, there
is more!” He had compounded a disaster by his poor decision making. Guilt disables thinking! By a person’s own
wickedness they fall.
Verses 6 – 10. “6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their
own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.”
Honesty saves people in business, marriages and politics, but dishonesty and evil behaviours unhinge them eventually if
they practise them habitually. We are delivered by our integrity in most situations, because others can depend upon our
judgement and behaviour. When the only thing you can depend upon is that you cannot depend upon a person, then that
person is going to be unhinged by their own character in a crisis situation. Evil has a habit of biting its servants firmly in
the behind! When we do not have to remember the lies we have told we can relax and advance into all situations with
openness and transparency, but if we lie and cheat, the consequences of those evils will eventually roll over us and
destroy what the evil plots and plans have built.
Wicked people make their plots and plans, but they all end with their deaths. Their good hopes are finished with their
deaths. Their evil plans only advance as their determination drives them forward, but when they slacken for a second,
other evil people will always overwhelm them. Satan’s “team” does not have any teamwork at all! Evil people turn on
each other even more often than they turn on good people. All their strength in time is nothing when they face death.
They go to the grave having lost everything they have plotted and schemed for; it is total loss for the unbeliever. Luke
16:19-31.
All their plans will come to nothing in the grave, and that for them is the end, whereas the believer has hope that goes
well beyond the grave; in fact it does not even go into the grave, for we leave this life and enter the arms of Jesus. Like
Stephen of old, we go directly into the arms of the Lord. “Absent from the body and face to face with the Lord”. This is our
destiny as believers in the Lord. Acts 7:55-60, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9. Refer to the BTB study on
DEATH, DYING GRACE, and DESTINY OF BELIEVERS.
Verse eight sums up an interesting fact that I have seen operate, just as Solomon had clearly seen it operate. Evil
unbelievers will often become the “lightning conductors” for believers in situations where they try to destroy them. There
are two principles that operate in situations where believers are closely associated with an unbeliever. The first is a
principle of “blessing by association” for the unbeliever, who will be blessed through their association with the mature or
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growing believer. When an unbeliever is associated with a believer in business and behaves with integrity they will be
blessed by the Lord for assisting His Child.
The opposite principle is mentioned here by Solomon. When an unbeliever actively tries to deceive, distract, or destroy a
mature believer who is determined to advance spiritually forward, then the judgement will fall upon the unbeliever. In old
English this was referred to as, “being hoist by ones own petard”. It means that the person who tries to create disaster for
the innocent has that very disaster fall upon them. They fly flags indicating that another person is evil, but they speak of
themselves and get hung by their own flag hoist.
I have seen this in my own ministry through the years. I was seriously attacked many years ago by two men in separate
occasions; both of whom started evil and false sexual rumours about me. My wife and I discussed and prayed about
these things, and decided in each case to trust the Lord for vindication and leave our case with Him. W e bluntly denied
the false rumours when anyone raised them directly, and gave evidence to the person who asked that the accusations
were false, but we decided not to react to the “rumour mill” these men had started.
The Lord dealt with each man. Both men had in fact accused me of the very sins they were guilty of (and this is the most
common form of false accusation – it normally tells you what the gossip’s sin is), and so by leaving my case in the Lord’s
hands, rather than the public courts, the Lord did a total demolition job on both men. The first was exposed in multiple
adultery within five years of attacking me and died of cancer shortly afterwards.
The second man had seven years grace before the axe of the Lord fell on him. Two women he had sexually abused
approached me at that seven year point and asked for help to stop him from abusing other vulnerable young women.
The Lord enabled me to close this man’s “ministry” down and so protect others from his evils. Both men were “hoist by
their own petard”; both became the lightning conductors for the judgement they tried to falsely bring upon me. Always
depend on the Lord to vindicate you pastor, for he does such a better job than any court of man can do!
Verse nine addresses the hardest opponent every pastor faces; and that is the hypocrite, who may deceive you into
thinking they are your best friend and staunchest ally, until they are exposed. False accusations secretly made can bring
down the greatest leaders, and has done so through history. Gossip is Satan’s main tool, and he doesn’t let the truth get
in the way of his stories!
As noted above, a faithful pastor needs to always expect attacks from evil gossip merchants. Wicked people dream up
lies to spread about good people, and will lie in court to achieve the destruction of their neighbours. They may do it for
sheer malice, revenge, or for financial gain, but in court cases you can expect people to lie under oath! A godless person
will lie holding the Bible in their hand! Do not be surprised at this, for if an evil person hates God, why should they take
holding the Bible seriously? I have to warn good men and women often in court case to be ready for the lies they will
hear delivered under oath. It is by knowledge that we are protected from such people.
If we really know the evil of man, and know the plans and plots of the enemy, we are ready for them, and are ready to
develop strategies that will keep us safe. Let us be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves! Matthew 10:16.
Through the understanding gained by Bible doctrine believers ought to be “street smart”, not stupid regarding the evils of
the fallen men who surround us. Believers with doctrine in their spirit are not naïve. In this fallen world we cannot afford
to be naïve! Refer to the BTB studies on WORLD, WORLDLINESS.
Even though the evil people think they are popular, they are not really. People secretly despise crooked business people,
and they fear and loath dishonest dealings. People tend to rejoice when they see genuinely good people do well and
they cheer when evil men fall. We are deeply wired by God at the core of our created being for a sense of justice and
honesty, and even the honest unbeliever will tend to want to see justice done. Man is fallen, but the desire for justice
remains a spark of the divine image that is left within all men and women.
We can get the wrong impression of morality by some things that get reported in our newspaper gossip columns. The
gossip columnists always delight in evil tidings, which they will often write up as “great news”, but the public do delight in
justice and righteousness at the base line, and even those who delight in Hollywood’s evils, would not want their
marriage partner to treat them in the way the celebrities have treated theirs. People want to be treated well by those they
care about, and they desire honesty in their own dealings with others, even if they themselves are not honest! As evil
men fall into trouble many rejoice in their fall, because they see that justice is done, and at a deep level all want that.
Refer to the BTB study of REVELATION.
Verses 11 – 16. “11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the
wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.”
A maximum number of good and moral business people will build up an economy, but a significant number of evil and
corrupt business people will destroy an economy. Each city was an economy in the ancient world, and what applied in
the cities of the ancient world applies in the national economies of today’s world. Good economic progress will always be
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slowed in a nation by official corruption and dishonest business habits. In many countries business is only done by
corrupt means. It is no accident that those countries are the ones needing food and other aid from the rest of the world.
Corruption in business creates the collapse of any economy.
The Biblical answer to these economies is to expose their corruption, and let them collapse totally. Sadly this means
letting their people starve to a level where real change will be able to occur. Anything less than this will not produce
change, except of the corrupt officials. There must be the imprisonment or execution of the thieves and the repatriation of
the stolen aid money, or it will continue to be stolen. Only the strongest measures will work against corruption in high
places; and by that I mean the loss of all their money, and the loss of the lives of the guilty. All other measures is simply
playing with the problem and enriching corrupt officials.
Evil people despise wise ones and show their evil by their hatred of good people. Expect to be hated by evil people if you
stand for righteousness. John 15:18-27. The Lord himself warns us of this hatred and those amongst us who are not
prepared to face hatred have not studied the words of the Lord. This is indeed foolishness! W hen we face such expected
hatred, as doctrine rich believers we “hold our peace”, for we know what is going on and we are not drawn into useless
discussions or counter attacks.
Our challenge is to pray for the Lord’s blessing upon our enemies. Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28. By this we mean to pray for
the Holy Spirit to minister to them in power in accordance with John 16:8-11. By praying for blessing upon our enemies
we pray that they might be saved and sanctified, or taken out of this world, and we leave the outcome with the Lord. We
have peace of mind in such a prayer and we move on without distraction from, or debate with evil people. James 3:1-6.
Tale-bearers, or gossips, are a curse in any organisation or culture. Gossiping is totally condemned throughout scripture.
Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 18:8, 20:19, 26:20-22. If we have any concerns they are to be faced openly, or prayed through
secretly, but never shared covertly! Verse thirteen goes beyond gossiping, and covers the importance of being able to
keep a confidence shared by another.
At times we hear things that are meant to be, and are best to be kept secret. At times secrets must be kept or great harm
will come to others. In the counselling room, as well at business meetings, we can hear secrets, and it is wrong to share
them with anyone without their permission. We all have secrets at times and that is quite right and proper, for not all we
know can be safely shared with all we meet. A person who has no secrets is either stupid or lives a very unimportant or
dull life!
People who do nothing of note have no secrets, but all who do great things have secrets that are essential to be kept so
that their work may be done without their enemies discovering their plans. In our ministry we have many secrets, and
they will be kept by those who “need to know” them. They relate to our work in places where publicity would enable
Satan’s people to destroy our work or harm our friends. Mature, godly, and doctrinally wise people keep secrets; they
have control over their tongue. James 4:1ff.
Verse fourteen sums up two vital principles for all organisations and individuals. Without a clear plan forward both people
and organisations will fail. We are purpose driven people, and without a clear set of objectives and a clear plan to
achieve that purpose, we will always get frustrated and lose momentum. People without purpose are easily destroyed by
the slightest opposition, but people with a clear sense of purpose and direction, and with a plan to reach their objectives,
are very hard to stop.
If we are going to do something for the Lord that He has called us to, let us ensure we have a clear purpose, plan and
focus, and then let us go for it. To achieve this we need good and godly counsel from God’s called man or woman. This
is the second principle here. The second half of the verse is equally powerful and significant for all groups today. We
need good counsel to keep safe in our decision making and we need open and frank discussion, with heat at times, if
necessary. The early church had heated discussions, but they came to consensus by means of debate. Acts 15:1ff.
The plural here may be what the Hebrews called the “plural of magnitude”. It may not refer to the number of counsellors,
but to their quality. It is the best advice we need, not many voices stating nonsense or inferior advice. The multitude of
stupid advisors protects and guides no-one, except towards disaster. But in the greatness of the counsellor there is
safety. We need to search for the best advice, and that will not normally be the majority voice!
Through history most scientists have been wrong at any set time! Remember, God’s genuine prophets were always
outnumbered by the multitude of false prophets. I will differ with most of the commentators here then in this verse and
argue that the plural here is the “plural of magnitude”, and the last half of verse 14 should be translated, “In the greatness
of the counsellor there is safety”.
Having dealt with many evil people who set out to hurt others Solomon turns to those who seek to bless others and
makes comments upon them and their legacy amongst their fellows. The legacy of evil people is emptiness and painful
memory, but the memory of those who have done good upon the earth is sweet and lovely. There are dangers however
in trying to do good for others, and the first danger is financial and psychological.
Verse fifteen begins by warning against being surety for any loan taken by another person. Securing a loan for another
person is always a way to obtain an ulcer and lose a good friend or relative. There is nothing but worry in such a
transaction, because a person who needs another to go surety for them is clearly either a lazy or unstable person. Why
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do I say this? If a person is energetic and stable in their work habits they will always make money and they will keep it. If
they neither make it nor keep it they have a character/behavioural problem that receiving more money will not fix.
To run or establish a business requires incredible self control and self discipline. I will be getting up at 5am tomorrow to
ensure that I have enough time to achieve my goals, and one of those is to do my financial accounts for the Tax man. I
see many people who have failed to do this and the taxman doesn’t have much patience or forgiveness! Many people
believe sincerely that they just “need a good break” to get ahead, but they are sincerely wrong! What they need is hard
work, and severe self discipline. They will learn these things best by slaving away, working for others to prove their
character and build the self discipline needed to work for them selves.
To loan money to a person who cannot prove to a bank that they are worthy business people is always fraught with pain
and distress for the foolish person who loans the money or guarantees that loan. In the last week I have seen a father
lose a quarter of a million dollars to his stupid son, who he bankrolled into a business that he was not fit to run.
Solomon’s advice is not to help people financially unless you are a bank or make it a gift! Even then you will tend to lose
their friendship, for people who have had to depend upon others for financial support cannot normally look them in the
eye again. If you want a quiet, pleasant, and safe life, don’t be surety for other people’s loans!
Verse sixteen reminds us that the most important thing about our lives is our character. If we retain our good character
then even under attacks from evil gossips we will retain our honour and reputation. A strong and stable woman guards
her honour and moral reputation. She sees that in all she does none can have cause to raise any questions about her
moral character. A wise woman is careful of her reputation. Let us be even in our comments here, and note that a wise
man is also careful of his reputation and does nothing to start gossip, or open himself to false accusations of immorality.
I have learned to take extra-ordinary care in this area when I travel to speak in other places. I do not go to have dinner
alone in any public place where I might be approached by any woman. I do not have any meetings with any woman
alone. Many people think I go too far, and some business women have been offended at me, but I have kept myself safe
by this protocol. In earlier days I was not as careful and nearly came into great trouble as a result, and so I seriously
developed these protocols with my wife to ensure we were both safe from any temptations or gossip.
Let us learn from Solomon and be safe from temptation or allegations. An old friend has just been caught by what is
called in business and espionage, the “honey trap”. He was seduced into a relationship with a woman who sought to
bring him down, and she succeeded because he was not careful of his reputation and had no protocols in place to keep
his honour intact. He had mocked my protocols as “too tight and prudish”, but has been publicly disgraced by recent
events and the media have taken great pleasure in destroying him.
Verses 17 – 21. “17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his
delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be
delivered.”
The “merciful man” may be translated a little wider in its meaning and encompass all activities that are good to others.
We would say today, “the man who thinks of others first” does good to his own soul. The dying word of the founderleader of the Salvation Army, General William Booth, was, “others”. To think of the good we can do to others rather than
being solely self centred shows a biblical wisdom that is according to the character of Jesus. Psalms 41:1-4, 112:4-9,
Matthew 5:7, 6:14-15, 25:34-40. A mental attitude of giving is a biblical mental attitude. 2 Corinthians 9:6-14.
The contrast is then drawn. Those who are cruel and violent towards others will trouble and harm their own bodies. It is
interesting that the field of health psychology has identified that anger expressed in violence, unless for successful and
necessary self defence, always leads to bodily disease and physical and/or mental disorder. We hurt our own body by
misplaced rage and violent anger. If we sow righteousness in our life and work however, we build health and will receive
certain eternal reward. Refer to the BTB studies, CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL LIFE, ETERNAL SECURITY,
REWARDS AND CROWNS.
Godless and evil people acquire gain, but the gains they make are deceptive. The rewards of the Devil are nearly always
with a hook in them, and the fool who takes his pay is led by the nose or the throat to their death later. The Devil is not
straight in his dealings, for he is a liar and a murderer from the beginning. John 8:44. He certainly pays his people and
they get great wealth and power at times, but there is always a twist in their fate in the end.
Satan’s most recent fore-runner for the Anti-Christ was probably Adolf Hitler, and he was given extra-ordinary power, and
he could have conquered the western world, but the satanic twist he received from his master was megalomania, and the
result was he made the wrong decisions in strategic thinking again and again, and so Germany lost. The allies in World
War Two never tried to kill Hitler, for Churchill especially realised early that he was their best asset.
Satan has had a number of “dry runs” at the Anti-Christ, to ready himself for the final one, and he has used and abused
each of them to their death and the associated death of millions. We must remember, Satan hates mankind, and so all
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he gives to his servants he gives deceptively. Refer to the BTB studies on SATAN, and his final leading servant the
ANTI-CHRIST.
Verse nineteen teaches what the Calvinists would later call the “Perseverance of the True Saint”. The Bible certainly
teaches us clearly that those whom the Father gives to the Son are safe indeed. Deuteronomy 33:27-29, John 6: 34-47,
8:30-36. We are secure in our POSITION IN CHRIST, but that ETERNAL SECURITY produces fruit in our life, and that
fruit is a determined walk to keep on living in righteousness. The godly person keeps on walking with the Lord until their
death and seeks to do righteousness until their death. Solomon himself will fall short on this count and die under divine
discipline. Refer to the BTB studies on SPIRITUALITY-CARNALITY, and DISCIPLINE OF BELIEVERS.
I expect to see Solomon in heaven, but with few eternal rewards, for he had his rewards on earth and abused the great
wisdom he received in the end. He was still a believer, and while in early life a mentor for wisdom, became in later life a
mentor for what to avoid. We are called to excel more than Solomon excelled by walking in the Spirit until the last day of
our life. All of us can fall at any time like Solomon fell; all we need to do is fail to walk daily in the Word of God and the
power of the Holy Spirit of God.
Verse twenty refers to the “Seven Deadly Sins”, most of which are mental attitude sins. God looks into the heart and
seeks our obedient holiness there. God seeks a transparent honesty and holiness from the heart to the hands, and he
hates all dishonesty, whether it is presently hidden from man’s sight or open for all to see. God sees the heart. 1
Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 11:16, Psalms 18:25-34, Luke 16:15, Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:12.
The biggest battle on this earth is the battle for people’s minds. Satan seeks to pervert the mind of all mankind, and the
Lord seeks to challenge us to bring every thought into captivity to righteousness. Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:5.
God delights in believers when they win the battle for the mind. Let us teach this principle to all of the Lord’s people, for
to live in the place of God’s delight is a wonderful thing. In such a place we have peace within and blessing without.
Verse twenty one reminds us that the wicked will be punished for their sins, but we may wait for many years to see that
occur, and their final fate may only occur at the Great White Throne judgement. We must relax in our mind about the
justice of the Lord’s dealings with the unrighteous. They may enjoy far more joy and wealth than us in this life, but they
will face the Lord’s justice. God’s character is at stake in this matter and His character will always be seen to be
righteous and His justice will always be done.
Solomon moves from concern about the righteous to concern about their children in the last half of this verse. Often the
godly person is not concerned for their own survival, but they do seek assurance that their godly children will be alright
after they have gone. As we get older in the Lord we are less concerned about our own ending and more concerned
about our children and young students. Solomon encourages us all to remember that the same biblical, doctrinal
principles that applied to us will apply to them. As long as they walk the paths of righteousness they are under the
protection and blessing of the Lord their God.
Verses 22 – 31. “22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to
poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth
it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.”
Solomon has a very funny picture to begin this section. A pig is an unclean animal to the Jewish and Moslem people and
so to refer to a pig is to refer to a disgusting image. Solomon’s point is a strong one. A woman who makes herself
beautiful by art and make up may feel she is wonderful but if she lacks biblical character she is just a decorated pig. Any
person without wisdom and moral character is a disgusting creature. Men and women can also become “pigs” in their
behaviours.
The Lord told the parable of the prodigal son as another way of using this powerful picture of how low people can sink
when they follow pleasure without morality. Luke 15:11-32. The good news of the story of the prodigal son is that the day
comes when the man wakes up morally and realises that he is not a pig and does not want to keep living like one, and he
returns to his father’s house. The parable is a story of hope; even people who resemble pigs may be saved and
delivered, if they repent and return to their heavenly father. The Lord also identified that when people become like pigs,
where everything is simply food for their lust based appetite, it is unwise to share anything precious with them. Jesus
words are well known; “Do not cast your pearls before swine”. Matthew 7:6.
We are morally known by what we habitually desire. The flow of consciousness from verse twenty-two is easy to see in
this verse, as it flows from the image of the appetite of the pig and contrasts that to the desire of the righteous person.
The pig and the pig-like person seek only lust based pleasures, but the desires of the righteous person are always for
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good things. Jesus would later say, “By their fruits you shall know them”. Matthew 7:20. Our thoughts betray the conflict
between the Old Sin Nature and the Holy Spirit within us. At times we feel very dark and stupid desires. Paul himself
fought this daily battle for the mind and records it in Romans 7:13 – 8:2.
Feeling occasional temptations (even very strong ones) from our OLD SIN NATURE to sin is not evidence that we are
children of the Devil, it is evidence that we are engaged in the ANGELIC CONFLICT. We may fall into temptations at
times, but we are not cast down, for the Spirit within us urges us back to God and doctrinal paths. Psalms 37:17-24,
145:14. Solomon’s point, and later the Lord’s in Matthew Seven, is that the repeated, and then habitual choices to follow
after lusts will warp the soul and be evidence over time that you have indeed become a child of the enemy of man.
The pig thinks like a pig and expects the rewards of their piggy lusts, but they are bound for bacon! Solomon makes the
point, at the end of verse twenty-three, that the end of the pig is to become food for unclean people. In the human realm,
the pig-like person becomes the canon fodder for the fallen angels; they become the play things of the very demons they
follow after. A believer may sadly at times resemble a pig, but they will prove their real nature by turning from such
things.
In verse twenty four Solomon speaks of a principle that unfolds from the contrasts between the righteous and the
unrighteous above, but goes well beyond the points made to date. He reflects that over time the attitudes of the
unrighteous person towards the things they possess eats away at them and actually inhibits their growth of wealth,
whereas the righteous person’s attitude to things/wealth means they grow in wealth. A righteous person gives freely from
what they have. They see all they own as simply “on loan” from the Lord, and as such to be used to bless others. They
give freely of their time, their wealth, and their goods to help others.
This attitude towards wealth means that they hold their wealth loosely and the Lord blesses them with more wealth. I
heard an American Christian millionaire speak about this a number of years ago. He gives millions to missions annually
and he expressed it this way. “I have learned over time that my job is to shovel out all that the Lord gives me to do good
to others, and I have seen over time that the Lord always shovels wealth right back to me. Over time I have also seen
that the Lord’s shovel is far bigger than mine”.
What we are given by the Lord is never for self centred narcissistic enjoyment; it is always given to be used for the glory
of God and the blessing of others. Satan’s people are, in contrast, known for their self centeredness. Like their master
the Devil, they are narcissistic and the result is they actually reduce their wealth over time, for what is held tightly onto
will decay or rot away. Verse twenty-five reinforces this principle.
Verse twenty six refers to the worst sort of “pig” in the ancient and modern world; this is the person who makes money by
extortion upon the poor. There were two aspects of this wickedness. The first sort of evil in this area was what we call
today the “loan shark”. These were (and sadly are) the criminals who prey upon the poor farmers and seize their crops
for payment of loans that were given at inflated interest rates. Amos 8:4-8.
The second wickedness is the commodities speculator who artificially pushes up the price of the grain by squeezing or
manipulating the supply. When times were tough through drought the wicked person withheld the grain supplies from the
market to increase the price and maximize their profit, even if people starved to death. The good person would sell to
ensure there was no starvation amongst their fellow citizens. The wicked man acts from purely self-centred motivation,
and by his motives shows his satanic origin. The good man acts from concern for his fellow man, and thereby also shows
his motivation and godly nature. By the fruits of their actions the heart and eternal destiny of each is known.
Verse twenty seven reminds us that the desire to do good alone is not enough. We must “hunger and thirst after
righteousness”. Matthew 5:6. Simply wanting to do good things is not ever enough, for each person must say “Amen” to
their desires with focused and determined energetic action. We must exercise ourselves in godliness, and that means we
must be prepared to work hard and really put energy into doing good things. It is “striving after” good things that bring
rewards. If we really strive after goodness however, we will receive things that are pleasing to the soul and spirit.
Many people feel that godliness is “boring”, but that is because they are addicted to the drama of immorality. The earthly
rewards of godliness are certainly peacefulness and contentment in the soul, often great friendships and fellowship, and
at times great physical wealth. If wealth comes it comes to bless others, not to be narcissistically revelled in. The evil
person however expends their energies in searching after evil things, and Solomon is sure of their end. He has seen, as I
have in my own life experiences, that evil finds the evil person and destroys them far more often than they find the fruit of
the evil activities and enjoy them.
Verse twenty eight builds upon the previous verses. Solomon has indicated that wealth may come to the godly person,
but if it does it is to be used for others blessing and the glory of God. Having mentioned that wealth may come, he
addresses this subject of financial blessing directly, as many seek it as a sign of God’s blessing. Remember the so called
“prosperity gospel” was as popular a topic in Solomon’s day as it is in our own. Wealth, when received as blessing from
the Lord, is a stabilising thing, and easy to handle by the mature and doctrine led believer. A mature, wise, and doctrine
centred believer sees all things that they receive in this life as simply things to be used by them to serve the Lord.
Great wealth can be received by a mature believer without it going to their head. We are to trust in the Lord, never in the
things we receive in this life, for they can all be lost. To trust in riches is to fall badly into disaster, for riches are fleeting.
Refer to the BTB study on MONEY, WEALTH, WORLDLINESS. Riches fail but a righteous life never fades or becomes
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dry and lifeless. The righteous person is pictured as a green leaf. This is an image loved by David and the later prophets.
Psalms 1:1-6, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Ezekiel 47:12.
It is a foolish thing to destroy your own home base, and yet every fornicator and adulterer I have ever met does that very
thing. Men and women who commit adultery play with the possibility of destroying their marriages, their families, and
their own sanity over time. To bring trouble into the midst of their family is to bring trouble into the midst of their
happiness and destroy it totally. They will inherit the wind, and all that they previously valued will be blown away. Such a
fool will end up working for another man, and he had better hope that it will be for a wise man which has the settled
intelligence to ensure they all survive.
I have seen so many great businesses destroyed by the narcissistic actions of the owners. They have had a sexual affair
and destroyed their financial base, or bought large numbers of expensive “toys” like boats and holiday homes, and
destroyed their cash flow. They have entered into relationships with equally unstable people and have lost their focus
upon good decision making. In every case they inherit the wind! All they value is lost because of their stupidity.
Verse thirty reminds us that the spiritual aspects of life are always more important than the physical and social. Man lost
his access to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden due to sin. Genesis 3:22-24. The good news is contained in this
verse. We have access to the spiritual “Tree of Life” again today as we walk in the filling of the Holy Spirit and fulfil the
will of the Lord in our daily life. We have eternal life now in Jesus. Refer again to the BTB studies on ETERNAL LIFE and
GIFTS RECEIVED AT SALVATION.
The fruit of walking righteously is eternal life, and it is life that we can share with others, that they might be saved also.
The righteous person wants to lead souls to fellowship with God. Matthew 4:18-20. Being a “soul winner” is a normal fruit
of walking with God, and any person who does not seek to lead people to Jesus has not truly met and loved Jesus. Refer
to the BTB study EVANGELISM.
There is some reward upon the earth for righteous behaviours, just as there are consequences for evil actions. The real
and complete reward for the righteous person may be only fully received in heaven, but upon the earth we receive the
“earnest” (down payment at least) of our rewards. The ministries of the Holy Spirit within us are the “down payment” on
eternal glory, and in our daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit upon the Word we get a daily glimpse of heaven. Refer to the
BTB study on MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The ungodly reap the “rewards” of their evil ways and feel the pain of
the consequences of an existence without God, without hope and without eternal life.
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1.
Let us always open our hearts and minds to the examination and correction of the Holy Spirit. Let us open up
our motivations and desires to the Holy Spirit’s scrutiny and correction. As we open ourselves to the Lord and the Spirit
through honest prayer and quiet meditation we will be secured from the disasters that proud and arrogant people fall into.
Let us purify our hearts and then we will never have to face public disgrace.
2.
The challenge to walk uprightly through life is a living and a safe challenge to give all young people. By their
good habits of youth they build good reflexes for later crises. If we build the habit of integrity and honesty we will
automatically be honest and straight forward when the crisis comes and an instinctive response is called for. Our habit of
righteousness will keep us safe. Let us be straight talking in our dealing with all men and women in the business, political
and social worlds; for integrity protects a person, whereas lies always undermine their future safety. Let us warn all
young people of these vital principles for their future “health and safety”.
3.
Let us not be distracted for a minute by envy towards the apparent prosperity of the evil people we may meet,
for their prosperity is fleeting and their rewards temporary. All the plans of the evil people come to their end in the grave,
whereas our eternal life is only just beginning to fully unfold then. Death for us is the end of the limits of space and time
and the start of life with the Lord without any limitations of time and space. Let us not envy those who have selected the
Lake of Fire for their eternal state. Let us pity them their temporary pleasure, and urge them, if they will hear us, to throw
away their fleeting pleasures and embrace eternal hope and joy in Jesus.
4.
Expect to be falsely accused of great evils if you are seriously standing for the Lord. Just be sure you are
innocent of all such evils. When accused, discuss the matter with your marriage partner and your eldership, and be
absolutely open with them, so no facts are missing from the equation. When all are satisfied of the truth, then formally
commit things to the Lord, and take any action to protect ministries from destruction by evil, but trust the Lord for
personal vindication, not any potentially corrupt court process. The Lord does a much better job of vindicating His people
than any court process will ever achieve. Wait upon the Lord Pastor, and even if it is a seven years wait, do not be
distressed; remain focused upon your walk with Him. He will lift you up; remain innocent of all charges brought against
you and relax in His mighty arms.
5.
Let us be clear on our God called purpose in our ministries and let us make good plans under the teaching and
guiding of the Holy Spirit. Once we are clear about what the Lord has called us to do, then let us do it with all our might,
and let us commit to allowing no opposition from Satan to stop our energy flowing down the godly path the Lord has
called us to stand upon.
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6.
All of us can become like pigs in our life style; all we need to do is fail to take account of morality and Bible
doctrine. Let us warn the Lord’s people of the dangers of the small steps downhill into immoral thoughts and actions, for
the result will be the pig pen of this life. We are being transformed each day in either one direction or another. We are
either being transformed into the children of God or into the children of the Devil.
DOCTRINES
DEATH
1. In essence, death means "separation".
2. Types of death:
a) Physical death - is the separation of the soul from the body (Genesis 35:18).
b) Spiritual death - is separation from God, having no relationship with God (Ephesians 2:1,12, Genesis 2:17,3:8)
c) The second death - this is the Great White Throne Judgement followed by the lake of fire for unbelievers - separation
from the presence of God, punished forever (Revelation 20:12-15, 21:8)
d) Positional death - Christians are identified with Jesus Christ in His death (separation from sin) and in His resurrection
(living in righteousness) Romans 6:3-14 Colossians 2:12-14
e) Sexual death - inability to procreate (Romans 4:17-21, Hebrews 11:11-12)
f) Operational death - faith without works is non operational (James 2:26)
g) Temporal death - a carnal believer, out of fellowship with God (Romans 8:6-8,13, Ephesians 5:14, 1 Timothy 5:6,
James 1:15, Revelation 3:1)
3. Reasons for death:
a) The work is finished. (John 19:30 cf. Luke 23:46, 2 Timothy 4:7)
b) For the glory of God - martyrdom (John 21:19, Acts 7:55-60)
c) The sin unto death - extreme discipline for believers with hardened hearts against God (1 John 5:16)
d) Suicide - superimposing your will over God's will for your life (1 Samuel 31:4, Matthew 27:5
e) The unique death of Christ - committing His own spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46)
DYING GRACE See page 48
CHRISTIAN LIFE – DESTINY OF BELIEVERS
1. He who believes in Jesus Christ has eternal life now (1 John 5:11-13). He will never die (John 11:25,26, John 8:51)
2. Believers are said to "fall asleep" at their death (1 Thessalonians 4:14). The soul departs to be consciously present
with Christ, but the body "sleeps" in the grave until the resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
3. When Christ comes at the Rapture, the bodies of those in Christ shall be raised from the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16,
1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
4. Our physical bodies will be replaced by immortal bodies (2 Corinthians 5:1-4) - conformed to the body of Christ
(Philippians 3:20-21)
5. We shall be like him (1 John 3:2) seeing His glory and reflecting it in ourselves (Colossians 3:4, John 17:22).
6. We will be rewarded because of works of faith (Luke 19:12-19) which will vary in proportion to our faithfulness in
serving God (Matthew 6:20, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
7. In the Millennial Kingdom, we shall reign with Christ as priests of God and Christ (Revelation 20:6).
8. To the overcomer (1 John 5:4-5) Christ will give to eat of the tree of life (Revelation 2:7) and shall not be hurt by the
second death - the lake of fire (Revelation 2:11). He will be given authority to rule over nations (Revelation 2.26-27)
Jesus will acknowledge the believer before God (Revelation 3:4-5) who will be made a pillar in the temple of God.
(Revelation 3:12) and will be seated with Christ in His own throne. (Revelation 3:21)
9. God will wipe away all tears from his eyes; sorrow, crying, pain, and death shall be no more (Revelation 21:4)
10. We shall know all things perfectly (1 Corinthians 13:12)
11. We will receive an incorruptible inheritance. (1 Peter 1:3-5) kept by our all powerful God in heaven.
WORLD See page 29
WORLDLINESS See page 29
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REVELATION
God's purpose is that man should know Him and therefore respond to God in honour and worship motivated by love. In
the written word we have the living word revealed. It all centres on knowing God, which is in turn based on Revelation.
1. The source of the knowledge of God is God himself. Human experiences and even religious experiences are not
reliable in the accurate presentation of God. The Bible is what is sure of God's viewpoint and information about God. Any
experience must be tested against the Bible. Romans 1:18-32 reminds us that man is fallen and that man's view of life is
warped by the fallen state. However anyone who has lived on the earth has sufficient evidence from nature of the
existence of God. Even with this evidence however most men will reject or distort the truth because they do not want to
know Him. Fallen men will create his own god, which he can manipulate. What Paul is talking about is general revelation,
which is available to all.
2. There is however specific revelation, which is the personal confrontation of man through the prophets, teachers and
pre eminently through the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who accept general revelation will receive specific revelation.
3. It is progressive, that through the history of man God has revealed more and more about Himself.
4. God does not reveal Himself that people might know Him but for them to get into a relationship with Him.
5. Four factors that are prerequisites to the knowledge of God:[a] God initiated the process. Where was the creator, God came to man in the garden.
[b] God gave language in order that he might be able to communicate with fellow man and also with God. This is an area
which causes a lot of trouble with the thinking evolutionist.
[c] Man was created in the image of God with free will, a mind that can think. Man is able to think in a rational way. Even
though man is subject to total depravity. This means that you are unable to save yourself. However man is still fashioned
in the likeness of God and is not totally depraved in that sense. We still have a mind, a will and a conscience even
though it is a violated one.
[d] God gave the Holy Spirit to convict the unbeliever and convert the repentant. John 16:8-11
6. Paul in Acts 17:22-31 gave a message about general revelation in creation, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible as
well as a couple of Greek poets, to show the Greeks that even their poets recognised general revelation. What Paul is
relying on to effect their salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit. He is relying on specific revelation as the first Christian in
Athens. You have an unknown God. Paul said. He was going to show the real God through the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Some of those in the audience believed and were saved. There was a mixing of general and specific
revelation as there were those who believed. You have to meet the pagan where they are with general revelation. You
move from general to specific revelation, from where they are to where the Cross is. This challenges the unbeliever.
General revelation does not prove anything to anyone who does not want to know. It is however the basis of just
condemnation of the unbeliever. In the end all will recognise God and He will get all the glory.
7. General Revelation
[a] His Glory Psalm 19:1
[b] His power to work in creating the universe Psalm 19:1
[c] His supremacy Romans 1:20[d] His divine nature Romans 1:20
[e] His providential control of nature Acts 14:17
[f] His goodness Matthew 5:45
[g] His intelligence Acts 17:29
[h] His living existence Acts 17:28
8. Results of General revelation.
[a] God's grace is displayed
[b] To give weight to the case that God exists
[c] To justly condemn rejecters.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL LIFE
1. DEFINITION: Life belonging to the ages (Greek word aionios). This is the life of the believer who had a beginning in
time but whose life will continue through the other side of death into the infinite future.
2. Mankind were created for eternity. God's purpose was to create a being to enjoy fellowship with forever. 2 Peter 3: 9.
3. The issue for entry into eternal life is faith in Christ. The choice for man is clearly stated in John 3:36, 5:24, Acts 13:46,
Galatians 6:8, Matthew 25:6.
4. Those who are serious about life and concerned about death ask about it. Matthew 13:40-43, 19:16, Mark 10:17, Luke
10:25, 18:18.
5. The Lord's words provide the answer to the questions about eternal life. John 6:68, Romans 5:20, 21, Romans 6:22,
23. It is the Lord who gives eternal life, John 5:39, 40, 12:50.
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6. The Lord gives eternal life to those who believe on him, John 10:28, 17:2. The door to fellowship and all that goes
with it is opened by faith in him as Saviour. John 3:15,16, Acts 13:48, John 6:40, 47.
“To Eat His Flesh and Drink His Blood” is graphic language to picture his work and our need to appropriate it for
ourselves. John 6:54, 4:14.
7. While it may only be fully known in heaven the believer may grasp a glimpse of eternal life here and now by way of
anticipation and relationship. Knowing God is a glimpse of eternal life now, John 17:3, and fellowship with him is the joy
of every believer now and forever. 1 John 1:1-4, 5:10-12, 20, 1 Timothy 6:12, 19.
8. Eternal life is received in full at the resurrection/rapture when we all receive our new bodies from the Lord. Rewards
are received then to enjoy with the Lord forever. We are all urged to live each day with the eternal life perspective in
mind, thinking of our place with the Lord forever. Matthew 19:29, 30, Mark 10:29-31, John 12:25, John 4:36, Romans
2:6,7.
9. Eternal Life is the believers hope, associated with the Rapture and Resurrection, and should be on our mind through
each day, as it sets us apart from the unbelievers who have no such hope. Philippians 3:20, 21, Titus 1:2, 2:13, 3:7, 1
Thessalonians 2:19, 4:13, 1 Peter 1:3,
10. The assurance of eternal life is grounded in the promise of God given through Christ. 1 John 2:24,25, 1 John 5:13-15.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL SECURITY See page 73
CHRISTIAN LIFE – REWARDS AND CROWNS See page 38
ANGELS – SATAN – ADVERSARY
1. SCRIPTURE Genesis 3; Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28; Matthew 4; Revelation.
2. BIOGRAPHY
Satan is the most beautiful creature ever to be created by God. He is an angel who rebelled against God before the
creation of man (Isaiah 14:12-15). Originally he was the covering angel, the personal attendant of Jesus Christ in the
very throne room of God. Unlike God, Satan is a created being and as such can only be in one place at any one time. He
is attended by a vast number of angels (called demons) who have given him unswerving allegiance. After the creation of
man, he tempted Adam and Eve to be as gods and to know good and evil by disobeying God. Satan then became the
ruler of this world (Genesis 3:1-7). He attacked the human race in many ways prior to the birth of Jesus Christ.
Throughout Jesus Christ's life, Satan attacked the Lord. Since Christ's victory at the cross he attacks believers. Satan
still has access into heaven where he accuses the brethren. Halfway through the tribulation period Satan is thrown out of
heaven (Revelation 12:7-9). This causes him to intensify his attack on the human race. During the millennium he is
confined to the bottomless pit, allowing a perfect environment on the earth (Revelation 20:1-3). After a brief rebellion at
the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:7-10), Satan is condemned to the eternal lake of fire which was created for the
devil and his angels.
3. EVALUATION
Satan is called:
a) The destroyer (Revelation 9:11).
b) The accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
c) The adversary (1 Peter 5:8).
d) Beelzebub, prince of devils (Matthew 12:24).
e) The deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9).
f) The great dragon (Revelation 12:9).
g) An enemy (Matthew 13:28,29).
h) The wicked one (Matthew 13:19,38).
i) The father of lies (John 8:44).
j) The god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
k) A murderer (John 8:44).
l) The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
m) The ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30).
n) The ancient serpent (Revelation 12:9).
o) The tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
p) A blinder of minds (2 Corinthians 4:4).
q) A roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).
4. PRINCIPLES
a) Believers are in Christ and therefore in a position of supremacy over Satan (Romans 8:37).
b) Satan was defeated at the cross once and for all (Colossians 2:14,15).
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c) He can therefore only use devices and schemes, trying to convince the believer that he can still win the battle against
God.
d) Satan, through religion, tries to get man to work independently from God.
e) A Christian out of fellowship can promote principles proposed by Satan (Matthew 4:8-10; Mark 8:33).
f) Satan will use Scripture slightly changed, or added to, to try and confuse believers and lead them astray (Matthew 4:310; cf. Psalm 91:11,12).
g) If Satan the adversary is resisted he will flee from you (James 4:7).
h) Knowledge and application of the Scriptures is essential in understanding the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
ANGELS – CROSS AND SATAN
1. With His death on the Cross Christ dealt with sin as a whole. (Colossians 1:15-22, 1 John 2:2)
2. With the removal of the sin barrier Satan's power was negated. (John 12:31, 16:11, Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 2:14,)
3. Judgement upon Satan has been pronounced but the sentence has not been executed, he is still prince of this world.
(2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2)
4. He is still the deceiver and liar who leads astray foolish believers (1 Peter 5:8-9)
5. The cross is God's grace provision for the salvation of all who will believe in the Lord. Satan's attack is the philosophy
of works, promoting the idea that man can do without the need of a Saviour.(Ephesians 2:8-9)
6. Satan's judgement has been progressively revealed:a) In the garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:15)
b) At the Cross. (John 12:31)
c) In the Tribulation. (Revelation 12:7-12)
d) At the Second Advent. (Revelation 20:1-3)
e) At the Last Judgement. (Revelation 20:10)
7. Satan's rebellion centres on two sins, pride and lying. (Isaiah 14:12-24, Ezekiel 28:17, John 8:44)
8. God's plan calls for sin to be removed and with it Satan's power. The victory on the Cross will lead to the glory of God
and the proclamation throughout all eternity of the perfect justice of God. (1 John 3:8)
ANTI-CHRIST – WORLD RULER
1. SCRIPTURE - Daniel 7:8,21-26; 8:23-25; 9:26,27; 11:36-45; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 13:1-18; 17:16,17;
19:19,20.
2. BIOGRAPHY
The Antichrist is the world ruler who will emerge as a violently anti-God despot, who will emerge after the removal of
God's church. He comes from the gentile nations (the sea) in the last times. His power base will be a ten nation empire
closely related to the old Roman Empire known as the Revived Roman Empire. The Antichrist is very clever and
infiltrates by means of a peace campaign. He is, however, very hungry for power and once he wrests power from his
subjects, he destroys the apostate religious system which has been working closely with him until then. He makes a
covenant with Israel, allowing them to sacrifice in the temple, but eventually sets himself up to be worshipped as God in
the temple. His reign of almost seven years duration becomes increasingly and openly anti-God, involving signs and
wonders. He has a close relationship with the false prophet, the leader of Israel at that time. At the end of his empire he
moves on Jerusalem, which is being held by believers. Jesus Christ returns at the second advent to deliver those in
Jerusalem and capture the Antichrist and false prophet, throwing them into the lake of fire.
3. EVALUATION
a) The Antichrist arises out of the Gentile nations with the final empire of ten nations (Revelation 13:1).
b) The seven heads are seven mountains which speaks of Rome (Revelation 17:9).
c) There are seven kings: five are fallen, one is, and one is to come (Revelation 17:10). These are empires - the five that
are fallen are Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Persia and Greece. The one in existence in 96 AD (when John wrote Revelation)
was Rome, and the one to come is the Revived Roman Empire.
d) The ten horns are ten future kingdoms which receive power for a short time. (Revelation 17:12).
e) He rules empires (Revelation 13:2; cf. Daniel 7:4-6).
f) His power is from Satan (Revelation 13:2; cf. Revelation 20:2).
g) Satan gives Antichrist the world empire (Revelation 13:2).
h) Satanic worship is a key part of Antichrist's regime (Revelation 13:4,8).
i) He is a great orator. He is anti-God and has power for 3 1/2 years (Revelation 13:5).
j) His empire becomes a world empire (Revelation 13:7).
k) The dictator of Palestine who is demon possessed ("the false prophet") promotes him (Revelation 13:11).
l) Great wonders and miracles are a feature of this empire (Revelation 13:13).
m) A statue of the Antichrist is constructed. It has the ability to speak. Worship of it is compulsory on the pain of death
(Revelation 13:14,15).
n) The Antichrist controls the world economy by marking members of the human race on the forehead or on the right
hand (Revelation 13:16,17; cf. Revelation 14:9-1 1).
o) His number is 666, a number which represents "perfect man" or "perfect sin" (Revelation 13:18).
p) He will not be revealed until the restrainer is removed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7)
q) The Antichrist's rule features power, signs and lying wonders from Satan himself (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
r) He deceives the unbeliever (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
s) The Antichrist is destroyed and thrown into the lake of fire at the second advent (Revelation 19:19,20).
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4. PRINCIPLES
a) Satan is the ruler of this world (John 16:11).
b) World domination and internationalism is Satanic in origin (Genesis 11:6-9).
c) Miracles, signs and lying wonders are strategies employed by Satan to deceive (John 8:44).
d) Economic control of the individual enslaves that individual (Proverbs 22:7).
e) Ultimately vast power creates the delusion that the person in control is God (Genesis 3:5; Isaiah 14:13,14).
f) The antichrist will not be revealed until after the Rapture of the Church when the Holy Spirit who restrains him (and
indwells all Christians) will be removed from the world (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7)
g) A few years of power is not worth an eternity of suffering.
h) Eventually man must account to Jesus Christ as his judge if he does not accept Jesus Christ as Saviour (Revelation
20:12-15).
i) At a point, people become so hardened to God that God gives them over to their own delusions (2 Thessalonians 2:11,
Romans 1:28).
j) The Antichrist is a person, not to be confused with the many antichrists of (1 John 2:18) or the "spirit of antichrist" of (1
John 4:3)
5. In the Tribulation there will be a counterfeit trinity with Satan (father), the Antichrist (son) and False Prophet (spirit).
6. Names given to the Antichrist:a) The seed of Satan (Genesis 3:15)
b) The little horn (Daniel 7:8)
c) The king of fierce countenance (Daniel 8:23)
d) The prince that shall come (Daniel 9:26)
e) The desolater (Daniel 9:27)
f) The wilful king (Daniel 11:36)
g) The man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
h) The son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
i) The lawless one (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
j) The Antichrist (1 John 2:22)
k) The beast (Revelation 11:7)
7. Characteristics:a) He is called the seed of Satan (Genesis 3:15). Just as Jesus Christ had a supernatural birth being born of a virgin, it
may be that there will be something supernatural about the birth of the Antichrist. It is likely that Satan will impregnate a
human woman and thus be the father of the Antichrist in a similar way to the angelic infiltration of (Genesis 6:2)
b) In (Daniel 9:26) he is said to be of the people who destroyed the Temple. The Roman Empire destroyed the Temple in
70 AD. The Antichrist may therefore be of Roman origin.
c) The identity of the man of sin will not be clear until the start of the Tribulation, although he may be fairly prominent in
politics prior to that period. He will not be revealed until after the Rapture of the Church when the Holy Spirit who
restrains him (and indwells all Christians) will be removed from the world (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7). In the middle of the
Tribulation, he sets himself in the Temple calling himself God (v4-8).
d) In (Daniel 9:27) the start of the Tribulation is marked by the signing of a seven year covenant between the Antichrist
and the nation of Israel. When Israel signs the covenant, God issues a decree of destruction against the whole earth
(Isaiah 28:14-22) - the judgements of the book of Revelation. The Antichrist is shown as the rider on the white horse of
(Revelation 6:1) who brings the promise of (false) peace.
e) The rise of the Antichrist to power:i) In (Daniel 8:23-25) he is seen as a skilful leader, involved in the occult power (v23), will war against the Jews
(v24), and will rise to power through deceit (v25).
ii) In (Daniel 11:36-39) he shall do what he wants, claiming to be God and exalting himself (v36), he will
repudiate all religious practices from his ancestors (v37). He however will honour a god whom his ancestors did
not know (v38) who assists him to power (v39), this god being Satan. He will accept the offer of the kingdoms of
the world which our Lord refused in the wilderness.
iii) In (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9) we are told that his coming is according to the energising of Satan accompanied
by miracles, signs and wonders.
iv) During the first half of the Tribulation, he gains political control of the ten groups that make up a One World
Government. This includes the removal of three of the ten leaders (Daniel 7:23-24, Revelation 17:12-17)
v) He also destroys the One World Church ("Mystery Babylon") that has operated in the first half of the
Tribulation (Revelation 17:5,16.) In (Revelation 11) he is able to kill the two witnesses who have been causing
him major problems. They however will be resurrected much to his dismay.
f) The death and resurrection of the Antichrist .In (Daniel 11:40-45) he kills the Kings of the North, South and East, and in
(v 45) he will come to his end and none shall help him. However in (Revelation 13:3) he receives a fatal wound but the
fatal wound is healed. This suggests that the Antichrist dies and is resurrected by the power of Satan. This miracle
deceives the world that the Antichrist is god and the world now worships him.
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CHRISTIAN LIFE – POSITION IN CHRIST See page 72
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SPIRITUALITY-CARNALITY See page 10
CHRISTIAN LIFE – DISCIPLINE OF BELIEVERS See page 37
SIN – OLD SIN NATURE See page 52
ANGELS – ANGELIC CONFLICT See page 18
MONEY
1. Money in coin form was unknown until the 7th century BC Prior to coins, money or valuable metal was measured in
terms of ingots or rings. Croesus, King of Lydia first preserved his money in coins. When Cyrus the Great conquered
Lydia, he picked up the concept of coinage and gave it to the entire world.
2. Money is not evil. It has a legitimate function. (Genesis 23:9, Jeremiah 32:44)
3. The believer is urged to be content with what he has received, in his position, from the Lord. 1 Timothy 6:6-10,
Philippians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:5-6.
4. It is the lust for money and goods that corrupts a man Jude 11.
5. The giving of money is an expression of the believers' priesthood. (1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9)
6. Coveting money makes one a slave to his desire. (Matthew 6:24). Money is a useful servant but a harsh master.
7. The danger of money to the unbeliever.
a) Salvation cannot be purchased with money. (Mark 8:36-37)
b) Money causes the rich man to put his trust in the wrong things. (Mark 10:23-25)
c) Money often hinders the unbeliever from seeking salvation. (Luke 16:19-31)
d) Money has no credit with God. (Proverbs 11:4,28)
8. The danger of money to the believer:
a) Money can become part of a slavery to a vain search for happiness. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:2)
b) Love of money becomes a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19)
c) Money can contribute to pride and self-centredness. (Acts 5:1-10)
9. Wealth is deceitful if a person believes it will buy him happiness or provide security Matthew 6:24-33, Luke 12:16-21.
Proverbs 18:10-12, Proverbs 13:7.
10. It is the believer's duty to wisely use his possessions, time, abilities and spiritual gifts which God has entrusted to us.
11. Three illusions about money.
(a) Money can bring happiness:- for the believer the Christian way of life is the only source of happiness.
(b) Money provides security:- grace provides the only real security. (Matthew 6:24-33)
(c) Money can buy many things such as salvation, love, happiness, tranquillity:- all these are spiritual assets.
WEALTH
1. Wealth may be in the form of money, gold or silver, goods or land. Wealth is always relative to the values within a
society. What is wealthy within a poor culture is poor within a more wealthy culture. What individuals feel is wealthy will
differ from person to person; some will never feel they are wealthy enough. The believer is urged to be content with what
he has received, in his position, from the Lord. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Philippians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:5-6.
2. Money has a legitimate function, and wealth generally is, like money, a neutral thing; something to be used to facilitate
daily life. Money and goods are used to pay taxes Matthew 22:17-22, Luke 20:20-26, buy goods needed for the family,
and give towards the Lord's work in the church. Money is not evil. Genesis 29:3, Jeremiah 32:44.
3. It is no evil to have wealth or lots of money, it is the lust for money and goods that corrupts a man, as it did Baalam,
Jude 11.
4. Money and wealth generally, are great slaves but terrible masters. Wealth is deceitful if a person believes it will buy
him happiness, provide him with security, or give him immortality. Matthew 6:24-33, Luke 12:16-21 Proverbs 18:10-12,
Proverbs 13:7.
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5. Money and wealth will not buy respectability with God, nor will it purchase salvation. Mark 8:36,37, Acts 8:18-24, Mark
10:23-27.
6. Wealth may get in the way of the simple message of salvation, as the Rich Young Ruler found. Matthew 19:16, Luke
18:19,20, Mark 10:17-27.
7. Money may get in the way of spiritual growth, when we pay more attention to our wealth than we do to applying
doctrine in our lives. Solomon in Ecclesiastes 5:10 6:2, Baalam in Jude 11, Ananias' and Saphira in Acts 5:1-10, All of us
in James 5:1-6.
8. God is not impressed with money and pride filled shows of wealth. Luke 16:10-31, Proverbs 11:4,28.
9. Wealth can be a great blessing received by believers in maturity, and if it is it is to be used for the Lord's work, as we ll
as for life style. Proverbs 13:8ff, Hebrews 13, Refer Doctrine Of Giving.
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIFTS GIVEN AT SALVATION (34 THINGS) See page 46
CHRISTIAN LIFE – EVANGELISM See pages 77 & 78
HOLY SPIRIT – MINISTRIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. TO THE UNBELIEVER
a) RESTRAINING (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
If unbelievers were unrestrained in the Church Age the one world system which Satan is trying to establish would come.
After the rapture of the Church it will come.
b) CONVICTING (John 16:7-11)
i) Sin - the barrier which remains in unbelief.
ii) Righteousness - God is totally righteous, man is only relatively righteous and needs God's righteousness for
salvation.
iii) Judgement - Satan and all unbelievers are judged.
c) REGENERATION (John 3:5)
Man without the spirit cannot understand spiritual things. The Gospel is spiritual, the Holy Spirit makes the gospel a
reality to the unbeliever when one believes and is "born again" or regenerated. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
2. TO THE BELIEVER AT SALVATION
a) Regeneration (John 3:1-16, Titus 3:5)
b) Baptism (Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5) We are baptized into union with Jesus Christ and become part
of the body of Christ. This is not to be confused with the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
c) Indwelling (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) From salvation on the believer is indwelt by the Spirit.
d) Sealing (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). This ministry relates to your future with God, the guarantee of
eternal security.
e) Distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11) Each believer receives a spiritual gift at the point of salvation in order
to function in the body of Christ.
3. TO THE BELIEVER AFTER SALVATION (Spirituality)
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after salvation is the means by which we live the Christian life ordained by God
(Ephesians 2:10, 5:18)
a) The Filling of the Holy Spirit (spirituality through confession of sin and surrender of the life). (1 John 1:9 Ephesians
5:18)
b) The character of Jesus Christ is produced by the believer when he is filled with the Spirit. (Galatians 4:19, 5:22, 23)
c) Glorification of Christ (John 7:39, 16:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)
d) Fulfilment of the Law. (Romans 8:2-4)
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DOCTRINES
DOCTRINE
ANGELS – ANGELIC CONFLICT
ANGELS – CROSS AND SATAN
ANGELS – SATAN – ADVERSARY
ANGELS – SATAN’S COUNTERFEITS
ANGER
ANTICHRIST – WORLD RULER
CHRISTIAN LIFE – BACKSLIDING AND RECOVERY
CHRISTIAN LIFE – DESTINY OF BELIEVERS
CHRISTIAN LIFE – DISCIPLINE OF BELIEVERS
CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL LIFE
CHRISTIAN LIFE – ETERNAL SECURITY
CHRISTIAN LIFE – EVANGELISM – FISHERS OF MEN
CHRISTIAN LIFE – EVANGELISM (WITNESSING)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIFTS GIVEN AT SALVATION (34 THINGS)
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIVING
CHRISTIAN LIFE – GIVING – STEWARDSHIP
CHRISTIAN LIFE – LOVE
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY – CROSS TO THE CROWN
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MATURITY – SIGNS OF MATURITY IN ROMANS 15:1-15
CHRISTIAN LIFE – MENTAL ATTITUDE
CHRISTIAN LIFE – OBEDIENCE
CHRISTIAN LIFE – POSITION IN CHRIST
CHRISTIAN LIFE – PRAYER
CHRISTIAN LIFE – REWARDS AND CROWNS
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SEPARATION
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SOLDIER: CHRISTIAN SOLDIER IN EPHESIANS 6
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SPIRITUALITY-CARNALITY
CHRISTIAN LIFE – SUBMISSION
CHRISTIAN LIFE – THINKING BIBLICALLY
CHRISTIAN LIFE – WALKING
CHURCH – SHEPHERDING THE SHEEP
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY ACCORDING TO ST PAUL
DEATH
DYING GRACE
ETERNITY PAST
FEAR
GOD – CHARACTER OF GOD
GOD – DIVINE INSTITUTIONS – FREE WILL
GOD – DIVINE INSTITUTIONS – MARRIAGE
GOD – FATHERHOOD OF GOD
GOD – PLAN OF GOD
HOLY SPIRIT – FILLING OF THE SPIRIT
HOLY SPIRIT – MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
HOLY SPIRIT – MINISTRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
HOLY SPIRIT – OPERATION
HOLY SPIRIT – SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
ISRAEL – NATIONAL DIVINE DISCIPLINE
JUDGEMENT – GREAT WHITE THRONE
LIGHT
PROVERBS 1-11
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18
97
96
85
42
97
13
94
37
95
73
78
77
13
46
36
36
40
24
25
64
14
10
72
37
38
77
15
10
10
15
11
65
45
94
48
72
39
29
25
31
17
30
12
100
20
70
12
20
24
40
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MONEY
MOTIVATION
NEBUCHADNEZZAR – PRIDE
POVERTY
PROMISES
PROPHET
RELIGION
REVELATION
SALVATION – REGENERATION: BORN AGAIN
SIN – ADULTERY
SIN – ABOMINATION SINS TO THE LORD
SIN – FRUIT OF THE OLD SIN NATURE
SIN – OLD SIN NATURE
SOLOMON – PLEASURE
WEALTH
WELFARE
WISDOM
WORK
WORLD
WORLDLINESS
PROVERBS 1-11
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9
71
58
28
69
85
95
46
57
59
60
52
8
99
59
9
58
29
29
102