Missionary Renegade: Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Listen Wisely-Choose the Good” – Friday, 2 May 2014

Friday, May 2, 2014

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Listen Wisely-Choose the Good” – Friday, 2 May 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 7: 10-27

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Listen Wisely-Choose the Good” – Friday, 2 May 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 7: 10 Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute,

and with crafty intent.

11 She is loud and defiant.

Her feet don’t stay in her house.

12 Now she is in the streets, now in the squares,

and lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him, and kissed him.

With an impudent face she said to him:

14 “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me.

Today I have paid my vows.

15 Therefore I came out to meet you,

to diligently seek your face,

and I have found you.

16 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry,

with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning.

Let’s solace ourselves with loving.

19 For my husband isn’t at home.

He has gone on a long journey.

20 He has taken a bag of money with him.

He will come home at the full moon.”

21 With persuasive words, she led him astray.

With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

22 He followed her immediately,

as an ox goes to the slaughter,

as a fool stepping into a noose.

23 Until an arrow strikes through his liver,

as a bird hurries to the snare,

and doesn’t know that it will cost his life.

24 Now therefore, sons, listen to me.

Pay attention to the words of my mouth.

25 Don’t let your heart turn to her ways.

Don’t go astray in her paths,

26 for she has thrown down many wounded.

Yes, all her slain are a mighty army.

27 Her house is the way to Sheol,[a]

going down to the rooms of death.

Footnotes:

a. Proverbs 7:27 Sheol is the place of the dead.

“Listen Wisely-Choose the Good” by Carol Rittenhouse

This is the thing about temptation: Sometimes we don’t look for it, sometimes it comes to us. In those times discernment is of the highest importance. Proverbs 7 places emphasis on the temptation of sexual sin. However, the truth of what happens with unrestrained temptation is the same regardless of the object. Temptation exists at the point where God’s will conflicts with human desire. Unchecked temptation always leads to destruction and death.

Temptation is often disguised as “not so bad.” It rationalizes and justifies and entices. Temptation does not give up until a choice is made by the one being tempted. The choice is simple but not simplistic. Following God’s voice is not always the easy thing to do but it is always the best thing to do. When confronted with temptation, the immediate concern should be getting away from it.

God through the Word has given us the tools we need to recognize the good (Galatians 5:22) and the power through the Holy Spirit to make choices in line with God’s will. God will never abandon us if we seek a way out of temptation. Nevertheless, before we see the way we need to have our ears attuned to God’s voice.

Hymn for Today:

“Where He Leads Me” by E. W. Blandy

1. I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

"Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.

Refrain: Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,