It was a person’s actions that defined them. It was up to them to choose what kind of man they’d be; where to draw the line and how to conduct themselves, so that their integrity shone through.”
–Andrew Weston (Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail)
“Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it.”
–James 1:22 (CEV)
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Until we die we will be influenced by our parent’s teaching, or a parent-figure. Hopefully, it is for good. Some may run from it and by doing so are being influenced though in a negative way. Read and ponder these verses from Proverbs 6 carefully; keep in mind as you read the concept of your heavenly Father giving you His instructions.
20 — My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother.
21 — Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck.
23 — When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you.
24 — For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (NKJV)
Bob Beasley tells us that “God’s lessons need to be fixed in the learner’s heart if they are to be effective. We must internalize them by contemplation and memorization, and then apply them to all the situations we encounter in our daily walk.” I might also add that we are to be learning throughout life. New lessons, new training that fit current life experiences. Training is continuous throughout life.
Learning, training, discipline–they help us avoid the pitfalls of sin. They keep us alert and help us make wise decisions. They warn us of dangers along the pathway of life. We need to incorporate God’s Word into every aspect of our lives to help guide us through the treachery and deceitfulness of sin that is offered to us by the world. When we internalize, practice and obey God’s truth, we can more readily recognize the lies of the enemy.
“The Word of God in the mind and heart is like a guide who leads us on the safe path and protects us from attacks. It’s also like a friend who talks to us and counsels us along the way.” (Warren Wiersbe) The more of the Word that is in us, the more easily the Holy Spirit can aid us for He acts upon the Word that is in us. Wiersbe also points out the negative, “If the Word is not in us there is a gradual erosion of the spiritual life, from light to darkness, and with this erosion comes a deterioration of Christian character.”
The Word of God is like a lamp. A light that cannot be carried with us “will be useless to a man who has to find his way home in the dark on an uneven road” (J.L. Flores). This light comes from the Holy Spirit using the Word of God in our lives. Wherever we go we are to walk in the light of His Word. It reminds me of the song that was learned back in my early Sunday School days as a child, “”While walking in the light of God, I sweet communion find; I press with holy vigor on, And leave the world behind” (J.W. VanDe Venter). This light comes from a source outside ourselves; it comes from the Holy Spirit using the Word of God in our lives. Wherever we go we are to walk in the light of His Word!
Look again at verses 22 and 23:
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. (ESV)
Notice, there is a lamp, a light to help guide our way. Dan Dick writes, “As we grow in our Christian lives, the commandments and laws of God are like lamplight to our eyes. They guide us and warm us, and fill us with that little something extra which makes our travel easy.” Get in the practice of not only speaking to God in conversational prayer, but also focusing your mind on the concepts and precepts of God’s Word. Let them filter through the issues, confrontations, battles, storms, and everyday experiences that come your way each day.
A true warrior lives his training! Get this! Read these verses again. This instruction “is a keeper, a guide, and a lamp to those only who keep it.” (Flores) It is one thing to know and another to put what you know into practice. We must always be learning, in training, and therefore, always putting it into practice and action.
“Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it.”
–James 1:22 (CEV)
——————————
Until we die we will be influenced by our parent’s teaching, or a parent-figure. Hopefully, it is for good. Some may run from it and by doing so are being influenced though in a negative way. Read and ponder these verses from Proverbs 6 carefully; keep in mind as you read the concept of your heavenly Father giving you His instructions.
20 — My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother.
21 — Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck.
23 — When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you.
24 — For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (NKJV)
Bob Beasley tells us that “God’s lessons need to be fixed in the learner’s heart if they are to be effective. We must internalize them by contemplation and memorization, and then apply them to all the situations we encounter in our daily walk.” I might also add that we are to be learning throughout life. New lessons, new training that fit current life experiences. Training is continuous throughout life.
Learning, training, discipline–they help us avoid the pitfalls of sin. They keep us alert and help us make wise decisions. They warn us of dangers along the pathway of life. We need to incorporate God’s Word into every aspect of our lives to help guide us through the treachery and deceitfulness of sin that is offered to us by the world. When we internalize, practice and obey God’s truth, we can more readily recognize the lies of the enemy.
“The Word of God in the mind and heart is like a guide who leads us on the safe path and protects us from attacks. It’s also like a friend who talks to us and counsels us along the way.” (Warren Wiersbe) The more of the Word that is in us, the more easily the Holy Spirit can aid us for He acts upon the Word that is in us. Wiersbe also points out the negative, “If the Word is not in us there is a gradual erosion of the spiritual life, from light to darkness, and with this erosion comes a deterioration of Christian character.”
The Word of God is like a lamp. A light that cannot be carried with us “will be useless to a man who has to find his way home in the dark on an uneven road” (J.L. Flores). This light comes from the Holy Spirit using the Word of God in our lives. Wherever we go we are to walk in the light of His Word. It reminds me of the song that was learned back in my early Sunday School days as a child, “”While walking in the light of God, I sweet communion find; I press with holy vigor on, And leave the world behind” (J.W. VanDe Venter). This light comes from a source outside ourselves; it comes from the Holy Spirit using the Word of God in our lives. Wherever we go we are to walk in the light of His Word!
Look again at verses 22 and 23:
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. (ESV)
Notice, there is a lamp, a light to help guide our way. Dan Dick writes, “As we grow in our Christian lives, the commandments and laws of God are like lamplight to our eyes. They guide us and warm us, and fill us with that little something extra which makes our travel easy.” Get in the practice of not only speaking to God in conversational prayer, but also focusing your mind on the concepts and precepts of God’s Word. Let them filter through the issues, confrontations, battles, storms, and everyday experiences that come your way each day.
A true warrior lives his training! Get this! Read these verses again. This instruction “is a keeper, a guide, and a lamp to those only who keep it.” (Flores) It is one thing to know and another to put what you know into practice. We must always be learning, in training, and therefore, always putting it into practice and action.