THINK, THINK, THINK, BEFORE YOU ACT...
I was reading in Proverbs today about the wisdom of thinking things through… As we know King Solomon was a very, very wise man… He wrote such Godly and Holy Spirit, filled wisdom in these proverbs, truths that are every bit as relevant to our lives today as they were when they were penned...
This scripture below teaches us about thinking things through, pondering and giving careful thought to the things that you will do… Don’t do anything rash, no knee-jerk reactions….. We must ponder the path, think deeply about the path God has for us and stay as closely sealed on God’s path as possible.
Proverbs 13:16
16 Wise people THINK before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
Ponder ( THINK CAREFULLY) the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.( secure)
Ponder: meditate, to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged thinking about a matter. ⟨pondered the course of action⟩
We must make time for the things of God, we must meditate on his word and seek him first before anything else and let him dictate our paths. We must not let our feelings, our fleshly desires or others influence us.
When we spend time with the Lord, He gives us an armor of protection… He gives us wisdom to know what to do in all situations.
Time in the word prepares us for every circumstance in advance… It makes our footing secure and gives us peace.
I heard a quote once that says “if you want to kill a man‘s vision, give him two.”
I heard a quote once that says “if you want to kill a man‘s vision, give him two.”
What does that mean?
We never want to get sidetracked on a vision or path that is not from the Lord, we don’t want to go down another dead end road and miss out on the amazing divine plan that God has for us… The enemy will always dangle the bait, the enemy will be ready with the enticements of the world… He will be ready with anything that can distract us and get us off the path God has ordained for us!
We never want to get sidetracked on a vision or path that is not from the Lord, we don’t want to go down another dead end road and miss out on the amazing divine plan that God has for us… The enemy will always dangle the bait, the enemy will be ready with the enticements of the world… He will be ready with anything that can distract us and get us off the path God has ordained for us!
John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
When there are too many things occupying our attention, we lose our focus on what the goal really is… We lose our peace and we can get ourselves in a crisis mode, confusion sets in… We lose our way and many times we give up…
But God is not the author of confusion ... When we focus on and meditate on his word, we can zero in on his divine path.... stay focused on Jesus!
When we do this, our ways will be sure, and secure, we must think before we act!
This is wisdom from the Lord!
Think, think, think!…
Often times we let the things of the world, and our feelings dictate our steps .. we let greed, wants, and desires for the things that the world deems important dictate to a great extent how we live because it seems we always find the time to do the things we enjoy; the things we want to do even if it’s a sin...and we can’t find the time for God...
But the Scriptures tell us to guard our hearts above all else. We always must check ourselves; make sure that we concentrate on those things that will keep us on the right path… God‘s path! We must make sure our attentions lead us in the right direction through the word of God and spending time with the Lord.
We can put boundaries on our own desires, we don’t have to go after everything we see, we don’t have to keep up with the Joneses, we don’t have to be like everyone else, we can look straight ahead and keep our eyes fixed on our goal in Christ… His plan for our lives, pray against all sidetracks and detours that lead us to sin!
If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it, this will take resolve, this will take determination not to abandon the search once you begin. Ponder..THINK!
Philippians 4:8King James Version (KJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.
Yes..think on the things that Jesus has done for you, think and meditate on the word of God, seeking God‘s clear direction for your life.
This is not a once-in-a-lifetime step but a daily process of choosing between two paths.. paths of good and evil...nothing is more important or more valuable…
Proverbs 4:14
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
Many people who are led astray, who have gotten off the right path and have gotten into sin can always look back and find a fork in the path… A crossroads… Where they chose the wrong way… When you are sealed in the word of God, you will make wise choices and be able to stand against the wiles and tactics of the enemy and his temptations to take the wrong road!
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
Many people who are led astray, who have gotten off the right path and have gotten into sin can always look back and find a fork in the path… A crossroads… Where they chose the wrong way… When you are sealed in the word of God, you will make wise choices and be able to stand against the wiles and tactics of the enemy and his temptations to take the wrong road!
There is victory in wisdom, there is victory in pondering the word of God and knowing what the word says for you... there is victory in obeying those words of wisdom!
Guard your heart with all diligence, even so-called friends and family members who are not doing God’s will can Lure us off the path and to do wrong things… People who want to be accepted will end up going down the wrong path; many people can’t see ahead..where the road of distraction is leading them and how their actions could lead to trouble.. Sin is fun for a season… There are often times not immediate consequences for sin but rest assured there will be consequences, we mustn’t mock God!
Proverbs 4:7
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do develop good judgment.
David taught Solomon as a young boy that seeking God‘s wisdom is the most important choice he could ever make.
Solomon learned this lesson well, and when God appeared to Solomon to fulfill any request, the new king chose wisdom above all else. We should also make God‘s wisdom our first choice through seeking him and thinking on his word and pondering his will for our lives.
We don’t have to wait for God to appear to us like Solomon; We can boldly ask him for wisdom today... we can spend time with him in prayer and meditation on think on his will for our lives.
James 1:5
Assures us that God will always grant our request.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Ecc 5:2-12
2 Think before you speak, and don't make any rash promises to God. He is in heaven and you are on earth, so don't say any more than you have to.
3 The more you worry, the more likely you are to have bad dreams, and the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something foolish.
4 So when you make a promise to God, keep it as quickly as possible. He has no use for a fool. Do what you promise to do.
5 Better not to promise at all than to make a promise and not keep it.
6Don't let your own words lead you into sin, so that you have to tell God's priest that you didn't mean it. Why make God angry with you? Why let him destroy what you have worked for?
7 No matter how much you dream, how much useless work you do, or how much you talk, you must still stand in awe of God.
Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
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