Actions, Habits, Character -  OH, MY!

How do we know what words to listen to?

 Lets read a few scriptures and let them guide us.

1.      Psalm 119: 9-13 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth."

2.      Romans 10: 8" But what does it say? 'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming'' (also Deut. 30: 14 )

3.      Joshua 22:5 “ But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

4.      Proverbs 3: 1-5 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,  for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;"

5.   Proverbs 4: 21-24 “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Thought to Ponder:

Why are the scriptures telling us that living according to God’s word will prolong your life and bring prosperity?

     Could it be "Words direct thinking, which direct decisions, which direct actions, which establishes habits, which forms character and finally directs your destination?"

Stop here, look up and read Proverbs 1. It is talking about wisdom. Did you know that wisdom occurs 41 times in proverbs. Wisdom includes skill in living – following God’s design and thus avoiding moral pitfalls. 1 Corinthians 1:30 refers to Christ as “wisdom from God.” "Realize that it is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." Paul reassures us Colossians 2: 2-3 that in Christ we will find wisdom and knowledge “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Thought to Ponder:

Why did Jesus have to be a man?

     To have authority on the earth because God gave man authority (free will) on earth, however, because Adam ate from the tree, he was given the knowledge of good and evil. Remember Satan had fallen to earth, since man can choose his destiny, all Satan has to do is say a word or two in our ear to set us on the path of evil (the path of destruction, the path that takes us away from God's will for our lives.)

Thought to Ponder:

How do we tap into the “wisdom and knowledge”?

     We should accept Jesus as our Lord & Savior and keep God's word in our heart so that the Holy Spirit can direct us. The key word here is "heart." What is in your heart? Consider 1Sam 16:7 “ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Thought to Ponder:

If man looks at the outward appearance and we base our thinking and decisions in this world on these outward appearances, how does this effect our relationship with God?

Consider 1Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”

Thought to Ponder:

Who is best suited to council us in our decision making process.

     How about God himself. HIS written word will guide us in HIS will. God tells us to hide it in our hearts. So, the question becomes "How can you possibly know God's direction for your life if you do not studying God’s word, if you do not know him? 

Click here "Faith Helps Plot the Course" to go to lesson four.