NEW EVERY MORNING

Psalm 146

     Praise the Lord!  WHO? – my soul.  HOW? – sing praises.  WHY? –

because I am blessed by the God of Jacob who reigns forever.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you praise Him for his many blessings.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!    

 

 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 7:6-23                     The Anatomy of Temptation

     What does temptation look like? Proverbs 7 dresses temptation in the clothes of a prostitute, wily of heart. A prostitute is a person who makes a living by having sex in return for money. The phrase wily of heart describes polished skills in underhanded or evil schemes accomplished by deceit.

Where is temptation found (12)?

How does she greet the naïve young man (13)?

What type of speech does she use to persuade him to sin (21-22)?

     Verses 13 – 20 describe the process of temptation successfully creating sin. Explain the following content:

Grabs and greets with a bold kiss (13)

Appeals to the spiritual (14)

Appeals to the physical (15)

Appeals to the sensual (16-17)

Appeals to the emotions(18)

This will be our secret (19-20)

     The appeal of temptation is wholistic; physical, spiritual, and mental. It is also very powerful as the young man sticks around to see what temptation has to offer. There is a denying of possible consequences as the intoxication of seduction to sin occurs. Suddenly the young man acts on the temptation and there is no turning back from the consequences of sin. Sin can be forgiven but, the scars on one’s person will remain throughout life.

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you live a life filled with His wisdom.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 7:1-23                                The Anatomy of a Sinner

     What are the character traits of a sinner? We don’t need to look far for a specimen because one sits in your skin! The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23) However, there are two types of sinners, redeemed and unredeemed. The sins of redeemed sinners have been taken from their rap sheet, and they have been proclaimed innocent through faith in Christ. Unredeemed sinners are living in complete rebellion against God and will experience full punishment of their sin.

What are the three qualities of the young man in this story (7)?

What quality of the young man is found in verses 21-22?

What is the young man missing in character traits?

In chapter 6 we found a long discussion from the father regarding the consequences of adultery. In chapter 7 the father shares a story that visualizes the point he was making.

What power does the young man need to prevent him from making a wrong choice?

How can he acquire that power?

Who is responsible for the outcome of following temptation?

What could he have done to not sin?

How will this experience harm him?

Is he more likely to repeat his sin because of this sin? (why)?

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

      Glorify and enjoy today as you rely on His grace in a world full of temptation.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 7:6-23                                The Anatomy of Sin

     The Bible is full of examples of people willfully rebelling against God. In fact, the Bible is the documentation of God providing the remedy for man’s sinful condition. Every human baby is born into this world in a condition of spiritual rebellion that exists until God works in the heart and removes the rebellion through faith in Christ.

     Read John 3:16. What does this verse tell us about God’s work in rebellious hearts.

     Proverbs 7 tells the story of a rebellious heart involved in temptation. Temptation happens as we go through life but it is how one responds to temptation that is the difference between life and death, as we see in this story. There are two things we can control in respect to temptation. We can keep ourselves away from the places where temptation occurs and we can choose to walk (or run if necessary) away from temptation. The young man in this story put himself in the place of temptation and willfully gave in to it.

So who is responsible for the sad outcome of this story? God? The woman? The young man? James 1:13-15 analyzes the process of temptation leading to sin. Read these verses.

Who does God tempt (13)?

Where does temptation start (14)?

What does desire created by temptation become (15)?

What is the consequence of sin (15)?

How does the story in Proverbs 7 parallel this process?

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

      Glorify and enjoy God today for His protection from sin.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

 

Proverbs 7:4-5                      Sibling and Best Friend

     There are two relationships identified in these verses that can protect you from the smooth words of temptation. Your relationship with wisdom and insight is one of family. Wisdom is to be your sister, your sibling. You have grown up with her and have shared many life experiences with her. Your parents have made wisdom an integral part of your family life. She is always there for you; that’s what siblings do.

     Insight is to be your intimate friend. Intuitive understanding and discernment are synonymous with insight. The picture is of insight controlling your thinking and behavior. Intimate friend describes the ideal spouse. The control insight has over you is not a burden but is full of happiness.

     This relationship with wisdom and insight will keep you from being tempted to go down paths leading to personal destruction. Temptations are a part of human life but the response to temptation can be grounded in a right relationship with God that gives insight from His wisdom.

What is the term forbidden woman a metaphor for (5)?

What is the term adulteress a metaphor for (5)

     Words and images are powerful tools that can affect desire. Think about the messages you are bombarded with when you watch an hour of TV. The advertisers use their smooth words and graphics to get you to buy their products.  They hope that your memory will recall the images implanted when you are making choices.

What does I Corinthians 10:31 say about temptation?  

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you live a life of wisdom and insight.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 7:1-5                            Words of Wisdom

     This chapter gives words of wisdom in a negative example. The father tells his son a sad story of personal destruction. But, before he tells the story, Dad spends some time telling his child how wisdom and Dad’s words should be applied. The first verses in chapters1-5 begin with similar introductions that involve hearing and applying learning to one’s heart, the source of passions.

What other body parts are mentioned in this passage (2-3)

What senses are found in these parts?

Why do you think they are important in keeping the father’s commands?

     The phrase, the apple of the eye, refers to that part of the eye where images are seen and sent to the brain. John Bunyan in his book, The Holy War, called it the eye gate into the city of Mansoul. The fingers are the parts of the body that bring things to the body for use and consumption. Think about what life would be like with no fingers. Fingers are the part of the body where work is accomplished.

Why is the father’s teaching as important as the eye?

Why does the father’s teaching need to always be at the child’s fingertips?

Where are the father’s commands to be written (3)?

What is the outcome of keeping these commandments (2)?

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

       Glorify and enjoy God today as you live a life filled with His wisdom.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 7:1-4                            High Value Words                 

     Chapter 7 starts with a familiar type of fatherly advice for the child; take Dad’s words to heart. The verbs keep and treasure up describe the words of the father as having high value to the child. Think about the things you consider valuable. When homes are destroyed by fire or weather the victims frequently lament the loss of pictures. Why? Pictures are irreplaceable as they capture moments in time that cannot be repeated.  People only have their memories to remind them of those moments without the pictures.

     Do you consider the words of your parents as being of great value? When you are young and inexperienced in life parents seem to be an irritating block to fun. Their words frequently bring negative responses from the child. But, it is important to remember that God has created the family to be a place where parents instruct children so they can grow up strong in the Lord.

List the 8 commands of the father to his child in verses 1-5:

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

      Glorify and enjoy today as you treasure and keep the commandments of your Heavenly Father.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:24-35                  Don’t Get Burned

     California is a state that is noted for its wildfire problems. Thousands of acres burn each year. People who live in these areas know the risks of living in a fire prone region but feel the benefits of natural beauty outweigh the risks. Then suddenly, wildfire strikes and they escape only with their lives.

These verses use the metaphor of fire to describe the consequences of adultery. If you play with adultery, you will get burned.

Answer the question in verse 26 and explain the consequences of the action:

Answer the question in verse 27 and explain the consequences of the action:

Verse 29 explains the fire metaphor. What does it mean in regards to adultery?

What is the metaphor in verses 30-31? Explain it:

     Verse 26 at first reading may appear to approve paying for the services of a prostitute but, in context of the surrounding verses, it is comparing the personal cost of the sin of adultery. People who sell themselves may have no one else involved with them; people who have families carry the consequences of this sin to the family.

     This comparison does not minimize the sin of adultery.

What is the only emotion involved in adultery according to verse 34?

Can restitution ever be made for this sin (35)?  

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you  respond?

      Glorify and enjoy God today as your relationships honor Him.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:24-35                 Discipline, or Dishonor and Disgrace

     The prefix dis is a common term today. To dis someone means to show disrespect for them in words and/or actions. The last passage of chapter 6 uses metaphors to describe the ultimate form of disrespect towards oneself and others, adultery. There are at least three people involved in an adulterous relationship; two are married and one may or may not have a spouse. It is important to remember that women are not the only source of temptation in adultery; women can be tempted by the evil man (24). The female adulteress reflects the culture of Solomon’s day. The point is that it takes two people to commit this act that destroys families.

What does the person who commits adultery lack (32)?

How does this person destroy himself (33-35)?

Is there any way to undo the damage done by adultery (35)? Why?

     The big picture concept of adultery includes pre-marital adultery. Society used to view sexual intimacy outside of marriage as wrong. Now it seems to be expected, if you base your lifestyle on the relativism of popular culture and not Scripture. The discipline of saving oneself for the commitment of marriage to that special person God has created for you brings honor, respect, and deep trust to the family.

Give an example of how our culture makes adultery acceptable.

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

     Glorify and enjoy today as you are respectful in your relationships.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:23                            A Proverbs Principle

     Today we are going to look at a Proverbs Principle found in verse 23: The reproofs of discipline are the way of life. This is true for every human who has ever lived. To understand this statement we need to know what the keywords mean. Reproof means to reprimand in order to correct behavior. Discipline has two aspects. Discipline can be used by a parent to respond to bad behavior in a child (you are grounded!), It can also mean personal control of behavior.

     Discipline is a guide for life. The sluggard is an example of one who is undisciplined. His world falls in around him as a reproof but he does not respond. The consequence of his undisciplined lifestyle is abject poverty and want.

     What happens if you decide not to do your homework because you would rather watch TV? You are undisciplined in your time management and in your responsibility. The reproof will come when your teacher asks for the homework and it is not there. You will also have to answer the reproof of your parents for the bad grade. Hopefully, the humiliation of failing will cause you to change your behavior and be a successful

student.

     The following are the areas of life this chapter covers. Give a positive and negative discipline example.

Money

Time

Relationships

Behavior

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you live a life of faithful discipline.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:20-24                      Life Coaches

     Hiring a life coach has become popular with trendy celebrities. These people feel the need to have another person help them accomplish goals by providing methods and assistance. Thus, a new profession has developed to help people feel good about themselves.

     These verses present the original life coaches given to each person, Mom and Dad. Setting limits and providing education are the methods used to prepare a child for adulthood. There are specific roles given to parents in these verses.

What is the father’s role (20)?

What is the mother’s role (20)?

How does the child respond(21)?

     The phrase keep your father’s commandment has several dynamics. In the physical realm it means obey Dad. Spiritually it refers to obeying God’s Word. However, in the context of this passage it seems to refer to intimate relationship with someone else’s spouse. The act of adultery seems very specific in the rest of the chapter. Dad and Mom are teaching the child how to manage relationships.

Where are Dad’s commandment and Mom’s teaching to be kept (21)?

What do they do for you (22, 24)?

What metaphor is used to describe the commandment and the teaching (23)?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you obey His commands.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!