God's Command is a Lamp

God's Command is a Lamp

Date: Feb. 10, 2017

Passage

Proverbs 6:12-35 (ESV)

12   A worthless person, a wicked man,
    goes about with crooked speech,
13   winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
    points with his finger,
14   with perverted heart devises evil,
    continually sowing discord;
15   therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
16   There are six things that the LORD hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17   haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18   a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19   a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.

20   My son, keep your father’s commandment,
    and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21   Bind them on your heart always;
    tie them around your neck.
22   When you walk, they will lead you;
    when you lie down, they will watch over you;
    and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23   For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24   to preserve you from the evil woman,
    from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25   Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
    and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26   for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
    but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27   Can a man carry fire next to his chest
    and his clothes not be burned?
28   Or can one walk on hot coals
    and his feet not be scorched?
29   So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
    none who touches her will go unpunished.
30   People do not despise a thief if he steals
    to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31   but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
    he will give all the goods of his house.
32   He who commits adultery lacks sense;
    he who does it destroys himself.
33   He will get wounds and dishonor,
    and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34   For jealousy makes a man furious,
    and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35   He will accept no compensation;
    he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 6:23

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

1. Seven things the Lord hates (12-19)

Evil begins with a wicked heart. Unless we repent our corrupted heart, all our body parts will become weapons of evil that harm others and eventually ourselves. The Lord hates the evil heart that causes haughty eyes, a lying tongue, bloody hands, feet that rush into evil, a false witness, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. We must repent our evil heart and offer every part of ourselves as instruments of God: eyes to read the word of God, tongue to share God's grace, hands to serve the needy, feet to visit sick people and say peace to unite brothers. (Rom 6:13)

2. The commands of God will keep you from the immoral woman (20-35)

The wise repeatedly instruct us to keep the commands of God. It would guide us like a lamp and watch over us as light. It will correct us and discipline us from the immoral woman. To commit adultery is like scooping fire into his lap or walking on hot coals. A man who commits adultery will not go unpunished. He lacks judgment. Whoever commits adultery destroys himself.

Prayer: Lord, help me repent my evil heart and hate what you hate, especially adultery. Let me use my every part as an instrument of righteousness.

One Word: Your teachings are my light

Gifts for the Temple

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Key Verse: 29:6

Then the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king’s work.

Today's Question

What are the ordinary, external ways Christ uses to bring us the benefits of redemption?

See answer and references

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT