King James Bible Study – [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. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, June 05, 2025
Chapters: Proverbs 7-9
Message: Proverbs: Keep My Commands And Live
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we learn how easy it is for those who are void of understanding to fall into sin and what happens to those who get caught in the trap. We also learn of why saved, born again Christians are encouraged to obey God’s commands even though doing so has nothing to do with their salvation, apart from their faith in Christ, [Titus 3:8-9 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.]
The word vain also means void, and it is absolutely amazing to realize that as you read the Proverbs that it is not all about Solomon speaking to his children, this is God speaking a father does to his children. God, like any father, wants His children to live an abundant life. And I tell you what, if we listened to Him more often we would not suffer as much from the consequences that arise. Temptation, reminds us that we definitely do have a sin nature, and the only way to stop it in its tracks is by obeying God’s commands.
[Proverbs 7:1-7 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. 6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,]
Void of understanding, now that is an understatement! The word void means; Destitute; as void of learning; void of reason or common sense. Boy! When you stop and think about the foolish things you did as you grew up into an adult and when you were destitute of common sense, you have to give a huge thanks to God for seeing you through, even when you were not saved, [Psalms 103:8-11 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.]
What happens when you are fully aware of what is going on and you fall into that trap? Temptation, is not a respecter of persons, even Jesus was tempted, but there actually are times in our lives when we can become void of understanding, even faithful Christians, and all it takes is one trigger to send us down that spiral. Watch how the one void of understanding is triggered and how easy it is for him to be enticed.
[Proverbs 7:9-15 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.]
First of all, it does not matter how faithful we are to God, temptation becomes desirable when we take our eyes off Christ, especially if we cannot see His Light. Second, it is much easier to fall for temptation when we are roaming in the dark. And third, Satan, knows that while he cannot take one soul that belongs to Christ he can ruin their testimony by enticing them with what they desire.
[Proverbs 7:21-26 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.]
As I read this it reminds me of the time that I fell into temptation and how dark it had gotten. I was searching for anything and anyone to fill the void and while I was fully aware of what it would do to my relationship with God, I did it anyway, and just like the one void of understanding was struck with the dart of guilt and shame I was too. It did not matter that I was forced into doing something that I knew would hurt me, I did it anyway and paid dearly for it. Thank God that He looked past my sin and did not hold it against me as I told myself for two years that He did as He does all who are repentant, [1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.]
There is a difference between being a creation of God as we all are, and being a child of God, which only comes through ones faith in Christ. This may be hard to understand, especially if one is not knowledgeable of the Scriptures as the first question asked is what happened to those who were here before Christ came here in the flesh. Well, as we will read right here in the next chapters that Christ has always been, it all comes down to one thing, having an understanding heart toward God.
[Proverbs 8:1-7 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.]
The key to understanding God even when there is no humanly possible way to understand Him begins with having faith in Him. Without faith, God, will not even point one to His Son, [Hebrews 11:1-3,6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.]
And speaking of the worlds being framed by the word of God, did you know that it actually takes more faith to believe that the world was created by some big cosmic explosion in space? The world will never even believe that God created them, in fact, many of them believe that they do not even have a soul, which actually explains why they justify their not being accountable for their actions. Yet from the very beginning God gave mankind something that gives us the choice of whether or not to believe in Him and that is freewill. Therefore, while it is their prerogative to deny Him, it is His prerogative to deny them in return. Those who seek the truth will find that Jesus has always been the way to the Father.
[Proverbs 8:13-21 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.]
This is what is called a no-brainer, those who honestly and sincerely seek God will find Him through Christ, but our faith in Him only works while we are here on earth. All will definitely know who He is, when they leave this earth, or I should say their souls, but He will deny anyone whom has denied Him, [Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.]
Jesus, may not have been here on earth in the flesh of man, and those who believed in Him may not have known that His name is Jesus, but they did know Him as LORD and that He has always been. Watch how Jesus describes who He is.
[Proverbs 8:23-30 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;]
One of the first questions that people of no faith ask, “If God is the Creator, who created Him?” We all may have questions about God’s handiwork and perhaps the way that He does things, but those who truly have faith in Him do not question His existence because He has always been. Jesus, said this to Thomas who would not believe that He rose from the dead until he put his finger through the nail holes in His hands, [John 20:27-29 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.]
I do not care how long you have been saved or how many times you read the Bible, these words are powerful or ought to be. Right from the beginning when God created the earth He reveals that He is three persons in one, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. In fact, when He was creating the earth He spoke of the Godhead, [Genesis 1:1-2,26 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.]
This confirms that the Godhead does exist and I will say that this is truly something that no human understanding can comprehend, but faith can. God, in all His might created the earth, along with the heavens, planets and entire universe just by speaking it into existence and Jesus was right there.
[Proverbs 8:32-36 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.]
It brought great joy to God to not only create the earth for mankind, but give it to them to live and enjoy actually for eternity. However, all that changed when sin came into the world, [Genesis 3:14-17 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;]
I often wonder, especially when reading through the Psalms, Proverbs, and prophecy books, just how many people read the Bible and are oblivious to the fact that Jesus is the one speaking or spoken about in many cases. I mean, do they literally think that this is Solomon describing himself in this chapter? Becoming knowledgeable of the Scriptures and following His commands are by far the wisest decisions that we can make, but the very first is accepting Christ as He is the beginning of our wisdom.
[Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.]
Jesus, is the foundation upon which our very wisdom stands, on fact, He is our pillar as well, without Him we might as well be a house built on sinking sand, [Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.]
I come to realize the more I teach God’s truths, the more people I attract, some are rude and hateful, but quite a few find hope and comfort in hearing about Jesus. You cannot explain God to those who are stubborn and willful, they are fools and all it does is take valuable time away from someone who really wants to hear what God has to say to them.
[Proverbs 9:7-12,17-18 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.]
In other words God is saying, “Trust in my Son and receive eternal life or you will die and end up in hell in your sin.” Jesus, actually said it this way, [John 10:8-10 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for adopting us into Your family the second we receive Your Son as our Saviour. Our faith in You needs to go beyond our salvation, we need a continual walk with Jesus to conform into an image the resembles Him as we build our lives upon His foundation. Part of that walk is in reading Your Word, and applying it to our lives. We are not always going to make the right decisions, and through the Holy Spirit You will teach us that. Lord, Lead us and guide us, give us Your knowledge and understanding of Your Word so that we may become wise to Your ways and live life to the fullest while we are here. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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