King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Thursday, June 08, 2023
Chapters: PROVERBS 16-18
Study: Stopping Pride Before The Fall
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
Pride, there are two kinds of pride that we need to be aware of. There is the pride brought on by arrogance, [an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments,] Then you have the pride of having some respect in what you are doing, [satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself,]. Jesus, through a parable, holds us accountable for our talents, [Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.]
Taking pride in the work that we do is what gives us a sense of self worth as it is very uplifting to the spirit when one accomplishes something they worked so hard to achieve. That is where pride needs to stop, we cannot become so stuck on ourselves to the point that we believe we did it all by ourselves and are irreplaceable. That is where pride will take us straight to our fall, [James 4:5-9 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.]
Part of our faith as Christians is to be placed with the uncertainties of life as well as some affliction. If we do not have a balance of good and evil in our lives then we will never one; be used of God, and two; see the need for God. Think about it, when things are going well for a while do we turn to Jesus more or less? If we are honest with ourselves we start to get a little more confident in our own abilities and are not so dependent on Him. That is where the heaviness comes in that reminds us that without Christ we would not be where we are. As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we take a look at why we need the balance of both good and evil to keep us one; fearing God and two; from getting caught up in the wicked evils of this world.
[Proverbs 16:1-7 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.]
[Every one that is proud in heart] The proud in heart is the one who refuses to admit that they are a sinner. The proud in heart is the one who refuses to accept that Christ alone in the only way to God and heaven. The proud in heart is the one who refuses to accept that their own righteousness will not save them from hell. The proud in heart is the one who refuses to accept that there is a hell and that everyone who sins will end up there without Christ. The proud in heart is the one who refuses to believe that every word of God’s Word is profitable and necessary for them to get through this phase of life and well into the eternal phase of life. In fact, God gives them up to their reprobate minds,
[1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.]
I always say that I rather God use me a vessel to show God’s mercies than His wrath. And yes, it is very true that God will use the wicked to show His wrath, and He does this to both judge His people and lead the lost to His Son. All saved, born again Christians ought to have the desire to be used as a vessel of honor for God, He is going to direct our steps one way or another, we might as well be on His good side.
[Proverbs 16:9-11,17-19 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. 11 A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work. 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.]
[all the weights of the bag are his work.] The scales to weigh grain or some other substance back then was something that looked like a teeter totter. Stones were used on one side to get to a specific weight and the grain was poured on the other side, once the scale was level the grain was the correct weight. Many people believe that getting to heaven is like a scale similar to this, all the good we do is on one side while the bad on the other. It is a good thing that God never trusts in our own righteousness to save us, otherwise, the bad will always outweigh the good. The reason I say that is because all it takes is one sin to tip the scale, which is why God never bases salvation on our own righteousness, [Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;]
Believe it or not, the life we are given is actually a balancing act, we need a little bit of pain in order to respect the good that we are given. What God has put in our heart is actually for the benefit of mankind for the keeping and maintaining of His truth and justice. The Scriptures of truth are in the balance of religion, in which every doctrine is to be weighed and tried. What agrees with Scripture is to be received, and what is not is to be rejected. In fact, we need to get away from and church that goes against the Scriptures in any way.
[Proverbs 17:1-5 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. 2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. 5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.]
[but the LORD trieth the hearts.] You better believe that God is going to get our heart right one way or another, and it often needs to be put through the fire to get rid of some of the things that defile it. God, does know our heart, and it is the very struggles that we face that reveal to us what has been inside for a while that we need to get rid of, [John 15:1-4 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.]
It is interesting that Jesus says that, we can mess up a thousand times a day, but as long as we are repentant, then we are forgiven. However, if we keep going back to the sin, we might as well be tying a noose around our neck because all we are doing is choking ourselves in the bondage of that sin.
[Proverbs 17:9-15 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. 10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. 11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.]
[He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;] Okay, it is one thing to do something not knowing it is sin, that is how we grow in our walk with Christ, it is another to keep going back to it. There is a reason why our walk with Christ is a strait and narrow path, and why we are to never go back the same way we came in, [Matthew 9:16-17 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.]
[The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:] In other words, do not open up a can of worms that will cause all sorts of trouble. This is what I am dealing with right now, all I did was change the location of my wedding so that I would not cause any conflicts with the pastor over a song or dress that may be offensive to him and now my whole family thinks I am hiding something. Then again, those who are void of understanding will think the worse of you.
[Proverbs 17:18-22,27-18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. 19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. 20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. 21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. 27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.]
[and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.] In other words, those with too much pride will actually seek wicked evil and end up finding it to their own destruction. There are just some people in this world that no matter how much you try to get them to do right, they will rebel. It is a waste of time and efforts to convince someone to follow Christ who has no intention of doing so, all we can do is give that over to God.
[Proverbs 18:1-7 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.]
[but that his heart may discover itself.] True fools do not want to listen to reason and often find themselves going the deepest paths that are the very abominations that God wants nothing to do with, [Romans 1:22-24 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:]
When our heart is ready to receive Christ that is when we understand and accept Him as our Saviour. God, prepares us for receiving Him by breaking our spirit, this is to remove any pride that keeps us from admitting we are a sinner in the first place. While God will never leave nor forsake a soul that has the blood of His Son applied to it, He will pull back and let them fend for themselves until they return to Him.
[Proverbs 18:10-14,19-22 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.]
[Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,] I had to bring this up because I am getting married one month from today. Of course, this is referring to a God fearing husband of likeminded faith. The same is true for a woman who finds a husband. Those who receive Christ not know have the favor of God, they will also be a part of a much bigger wedding when He comes for His bride, which we all are, [Revelation 22:16-17 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your amazing grace to save a sinner like me the second I believed and received Your Son as my Saviour. You have a perfect plan for each and everyone of us, whether we are here to love You or be an example of what happens when evil has hardened our hearts toward You. It is Your plan, and only You have the power to change it. If we want things to change in our lives, we must follow Your plan, Your way and not get caught up in pride once things start changing. Lord, You are our strong tower, lead us and guide us, cover us in Your mercies and grace, and the courage and wisdom to walk the strait and narrow path and not the one that leads to shame and public disgrace. Let us be the Godly examples we need be, to seek Your help at all times, and not overwhelm ourselves with so many things that we get off the path. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Read Today’s Bible Reading: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
I’m Following Jesus On Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/readytofollowJesus/
Copyright © 2023 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.