Verse of the Day 7/19

Proverbs 9:6Leave your simple ways, and live,  and walk in the way of insight."  English Standard Version (ESV)

For today's verse we'll turn to the book of Solomon once again to once again focus on the thought of asking the question "what is the wise thing to do" in any situation.  Today's passage begins with "leaving our simple ways behind" and ends with the foundation of wisdom being "the fear of the Lord".  This fear involves respect, reverence on honor.

The simple ways are our natural ways, to think only of self, to be selfish, to be greedy, to seek our own pleasures even if it is at the expense of others (which is often the case).  These "simple ways" are often impulse reactions.  We do something that we think will bring pleasure, which it often does in the short term, without thinking about the consequences which may bring pain, hurt and loneliness for a lifetime.

John MacArthur points out a progression of that the fear of the Lord referenced in verse 10:  "1) teaching about God; 2) learning about God; 3) fearing God; 4) knowing God; and 5) imitating God's wisdom. The fear of the Lord is a state of mind in which one's own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God's."

This fear, this reverence, this asking "what is the wise thing to do?" will lead us to leave our simple destructive ways to live the lives that  we are truly meant to live.  This will not be with our own insight but  God's working through us.

The Apostle Paul's words reflected this in Romans 12:2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.New Living Translation (NLT)

Ask the question and let God's answers change the way we think so that we might have insight for today.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Proverbs 9:6-10New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
    learn to use good judgment."

⁷ Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
    Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
⁸ So don't bother correcting mockers;
    they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
    and they will love you.
⁹ Instruct the wise,
    and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
    and they will learn even more.

¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.