Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily
devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
The Wisdom
of God
Verses for the Day:
9 The thought of
foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Proverbs 24:9 (AMP):
9 The plans of the foolish
and the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to
men.
Thoughts for the Day:
This verse in Proverbs
tells us that even our thoughts can be sinful and one who is a scoffer is an
abomination to men. God knows every man's thoughts and we are told in this verse
that foolish plans are sinful. The word foolishness in this verse has the
meaning of trusting in one's own heart and mind. When we plan our own way and
leave God out of those plans, it is very foolish indeed. The Bible tells us to
trust in the Lord and not to rely on our own understanding. Because God is "all
knowing" and "all wise," He will lead us in the right path.
Proverbs 3:5-7:
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.
The Lord tells us
in these verses in Isaiah that God's thoughts are higher than man's
thoughts. That is why we must ask for the mind of Christ, so that our thoughts
will become holy and righteous and we will then be able to overcome carnal
thinking. In fact, the Bible tells us to cast down all imaginations and
any high thing that would exalt itself above the knowledge of God.
2 Corinthians
10:3-6:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience
of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is
fulfilled.
This means when
the devil is attempting to get us to believe a lie, we must quote, in faith, the
scripture that would offset and overcome that lie. When Satan tempts us,
we are told to "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you" (James 4:7). Submission to God is an
attitude of the heart, shown by obedience to His Word. Resist means to refuse to
cooperate with the devil. To walk in the Spirit means we are to live in
prayer and in the Word of God. Really this is not much different than walking
with a friend. You become friends with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. God
loved us so much He provided for victory. He provided for victory even when
we have a failure and yield to temptation. The way to overcome, is to repent and
confess our sin and then get back on the right track with Jesus and go on and
not allow the devil to condemn us and keep us away from God. We must ask
God to cleanse our hearts and our thought life, as this will get to the root of
our sin. Our sinful and foolish actions are the result of sinful and
foolish thoughts.
We must also not
be guilty of being a scoffer or scorner, as these sins will alienate us from
other people. Nobody wants to be around someone who is continually railing
and talking against others. People who mock sacred things really are an
abomination to others.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your patience and love toward me. I have failed You many
times, but You have never failed me. Lord, purify my thoughts so that they
will be pleasing to You. May Your Words dwell in my heart and my mind so
that I will not sin against You. Lord, may I think loving and kind
thoughts toward others and may I never be a scoffer and one who demeans others.
Deliver me from all foolish thoughts and give me the mind of Christ, so that I am
a good witness for You in this world. I ask this in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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