Tag Archives: proverbs

THE ENEMY OF WISDOM

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LifeLink Devotions for January 28, 2025

Within each of us is a terrifying enemy of God. Not terrifying to God, but to us. Unfortunately, we have embraced this enemy and signed what we think is a lasting peace treaty with it. However, this treaty is a lie, and sooner or later we all discover that the enemy has deceived us and brought us to destruction.

The enemy I refer to is Pride. God hates pride.

  • “Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.” Psalm 101:5
  • “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Proverbs 8:13
  • “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

Pride manifests itself in a variety of ways in our lives. But the single most prominent way pride reveals itself as both the enemy of God and the enemy of our life is this – when we reject correction. When confronted with a wrong and a challenge to change there is an immediate rise in our pride pressure, and just like an exaggerated rise in blood pressure, our heart is at risk when it happens.

Pride seeks to protect when in reality it is causing harm. We are deceived into believing that we are guarding our hearts – our value system and our image – when actually we are moving quickly towards the destruction of our spiritual hearts. Just as high blood pressure is an indicator of hardened or constricted arteries, so high pride pressure is an indicator of a hardened heart.

King Solomon states that pride is conquered only when we respond humbly to the reproof of God when He lovingly disciplines us for our sin. How we respond to God’s correction reveals the nature and extent of pride in our hearts.

Proverbs 1:23  “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

Those who embrace the perceived benefits of pride’s self-protective responses will find themselves alone, abandoned, and absorbed with awful consequences. In Proverbs 1:29-31 we read,“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.”

But those who humbly seek the Lord and embrace His correction comes the abiding Presence of God in the Person of His Holy Spirit, and a constant understanding of God’s Word – His purpose for our lives and the power and provision to accomplish it.

What a contrast. The choice is ours. Pride resulting in only what we can do for ourselves, or Godly correction resulting in what God can and will do in us. Today, and every day from here forward, while we know we are weak and our pride is strong, we can choose to read God’s Word, not for knowledge, but for transformation, calling out for God’s reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

How about you? How do you respond when someone tries to correct you? What does that say about the enemy of God in you? What will you do about it?

Pastor John

A JOURNEY OF WISDOM

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LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Let’s take a journey of wisdom through the book of Proverbs. We begin at the beginning, which is always a good place to begin. I am the type of person that likes to know the goal before I start out on any adventure. God’s call of Abraham to simply go east would really be a test for me. I am thankful that Solomon sets forth the goal of Proverbs right at the beginning.

Proverbs 1:1-4  “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—”

Solomon says that these proverbs have five primary purposes:

  1. They are the learning center of wisdom and discipline;
  2. They teach us how to think clearly;
  3. They produce a God-honoring lifestyle;
  4. They enhance one’s common sense;
  5. And they help even the young to make good decisions.

WOW! Just think, by reading, studying, and applying these Proverbs to our lives we will tap into the eternal Source of all wisdom resulting in our life becoming more disciplined; we will be able to think clearly about every circumstance in our life; we will be transformed into people who obey God and love doing His will because we now understand our eternal purpose; we will no longer be simple-minded but be blessed with an abundance of common sense; and we will be confident in our ability to make good decisions no matter what the choice may be.

I am issuing a challenge to you – to read one chapter of Proverbs every day for thirty-one days. As you read, write down one or two things in a daily journal that the Lord teaches you about practical wisdom. Include those things God uses to renew and refresh you in your faith. I hope you accept the challenge. When you feel like it, send me some of your thoughts on what God is teaching you.

Tomorrow we begin our journey.

Pastor John