Set Your Heart on the Right Path

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Set Your Heart on the Right Path

Date: Feb. 12, 2024

Passage

Proverbs 23:19-35 (ESV)

19   Hear, my son, and be wise,
    and direct your heart in the way.
20   Be not among drunkards
    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21   for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and slumber will clothe them with rags.
22   Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23   Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24   The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25   Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.
26   My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.
27   For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    an adulteress is a narrow well.
28   She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.
29   Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
  Who has wounds without cause?
    Who has redness of eyes?
30   Those who tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try mixed wine.
31   Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
32   In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33   Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter perverse things.
34   You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35   “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.
  When shall I awake?
    I must have another drink.”

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.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 23:19

Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.

Saying 16 teaches us to set our hearts on the right path and live wisely. Many start off well in seeking God, but they can stumble because of very simple desires for alcohol and pleasure. The teacher expands on these in Sayings 17, 18, and 19.

Saying 17 teaches us to honor our parents. When we remember our father and mother and think of all the sacrifices they have made for us, we want to make them happy. We want to live nobly and honorably to make them proud. Remembering our parents (and shepherds) and honoring them protects us from sinful ways. It’s also a reflection of how we fear God and remember his grace.

Saying 18 warns us against adultery. Though we know adultery is wrong, the temptation to give into adultery is far stronger than us. We must repent and decide not to even look lustfully at another person. Committing adultery is like falling into a pit of destruction that ruins our lives and our family.

Saying 19 describes a drunkard’s life so well. Many great people give into the overwhelming temptation to drink alcohol to relieve their stress and tragically end up addicted (35). Their lives and families are devastated.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who saves me from every temptation. Lord, lead me on paths of righteousness for your name’s sake (Ps 23:3).

One Word: One Word: Set my heart on the right path

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references