Hell

This subject is not a good one to have to study in my eyes. It is actually a very heavy study to my soul. Thinking about people having to go to this place makes me continue to share the gospel with as many people as possible. To all of those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. For those who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior have bought the lie and are going to be eternally separated from Him for all eternity and sent to this place. Now in Scripture Jesus spoke more about Hell then He ever did about Heaven. I believe the reason being is because He wanted us to know how real of a place that it was. Satan deceives people everyday right into Hell, he steals their souls for all of eternity. In Luke chapter 16 Jesus tells a story about a rich man and a poor man and some people teach that this story is a parable, but as far as I can tell it is about an actual event that happened sometime in history, because Jesus speaks about Lazarus the poor man by name. In every other parable in Scripture Jesus never used peoples names. Now another thing that I have noticed throughout the years of studying Scripture is that the LORD never mentions those by name that have went to hell. For an example, Lot’s wife, this rich man in this story, there are a few more throughout Scripture that you can research on your own. I do not believe that everyone who is named in Scripture is in heaven either though. This was just something that I noticed when I was doing some studying, so I thought that I would share it with you. In this study you will notice that Hell is a place of torment, people are in anguish, that they obviously have their senses still, for the rich man remembered his brothers, he felt pain, he was concerned about others going to this place of torment. In Scripture it is taught that Hell was created for the Devil and his angels, not for people, but it also teaches that everyone who rejects Jesus will end up there. It says that there are maggots underneath you and worms in Hell that cover you. It says that any covenant you made with the Devil will not stand. This is not all of the verses on Hell, but I believe that you will get the idea of what it is like. May God Bless You and your family that you may turn from any kind of sin that you may have separating you from the LORD and receive into your life, Jesus, the only one who can save us from this awful place. I would suggest that you read about Heaven in order to see the difference of the two places.

Hell : n. 1 the place where Christians believe that devils live and wicked people go to be punished after they die. 2 the place according to various religions where the spirits of the dead are; see Hades and Sheol.

Hades : n. 1 in Greek myths, the place where the spirits of the dead go, beneath the earth. 2 often hades, hell: used only in everyday talk.

Sheol : n. a place mentioned in the Bible where the dead are believed to go. It is thought of as a very deep place in the earth.

Job 38:16-18    Side note: This was God speaking to Job, asking him questions.

“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you walked about and explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!

Matthew 5:21-22     Side note: This was Jesus teaching about Anger.

“You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”

Matthew 5:27-30      Side note: This was Jesus teaching about Lust.

“You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye – even if it is your good eye – causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand – even if it is your stronger hand – causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

In the verse above, Jesus is not literally telling people to cut off body parts, he is using the teaching as a metaphor to describe how serious sin is in our lives, and how we need to control the parts of our bodies that tend to make us sin. For sin first starts in our minds, then drops into our hearts, then turns into an action, which in turn separates us from God.

Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury. At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.

“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.’

“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.’

“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won’t have to come here when they die.’

“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.’

“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.’

“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Psalm 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 16:10-11     Side Note: This was Jesus’ resurrection predicted far in advance.

For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 55:15      Side Note: This was King David speaking to God about his enemies.

Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

Psalm 86:12-13

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalm 139:8

If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there;

Proverbs 5:5    Side Note: This verse is speaking about the immoral woman.

Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell.

Proverbs 7:27   Side Note: This verse is also speaking about the immoral woman.

Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 9:18   Side Note: This verse is also speaking about the immoral woman.

But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

Proverbs 15:11

Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

Proverbs 15:24

The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

Proverbs 23:13-14   Side Note: This verse is not teaching you to hit your child with a rod, but it is telling you that if you do not discipline your child, that you won’t deliver his or her soul from hell. By discipline, hopefully your child will make good choices and not bad ones, which in turn will lead them to God, not away.

Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 27:20

Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Isaiah 14:9-11

“Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, All the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations. They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, And worms cover you.’

Isaiah 14:15   Side Note: This verse is speaking about the fall of Lucifer.

Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Isaiah 28:14-18

Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.” Therefore thus says the Lord God:

“Behold , I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, And your agreement with Sheol will not stand;

 

Heaven

Heaven and Hell are real places according to Scripture. This study will show you some of what the Word of God (The Holy Bible) says about this place in which God Himself dwells. Here in this world we have been taught all sorts of crazy thoughts about heaven, that we sit around on clouds playing harps all day, doing nothing. And in our churches we have been taught that all we do is sit around and sing to the LORD. Well I have news for you it is nothing like that at all. Scripture does say that we will praise the LORD and that we will sing to Him, but it also says a whole lot more. I do not understand why this subject is not spoken about more often. I don’t know about you, but I would like to see where I am going and have an educated decision about the whole thing. Now this particular study is about heaven and I suggest that you read the study on hell as well. So that you might truly see the difference between the two different places. I am not going to comment to much on this subject, because lets face it, I have not been there, but I know that I am going there. When you read about it, you will see that it is an exciting place full of all sorts of interesting things going on. All sorts of interesting creatures that are there, doing the LORD’s business. It seems to really be a beautiful place with rivers and trees, and fruit to eat, no darkness, just light. There is a lot of activity not a boring place at all. Well, I will let you explore what the Word of God (The Holy Bible) says about heaven and I hope to see you there in the future. May God Bless You and please share this with others so they will know what heaven is like also!!!

Ezekiel 1:1-28

On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened to me, and I saw visions of God. This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. The LORD gave a message to me, Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, there beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and I felt the hand of the LORD take hold of me.

As I looked, I saw a great storm coming toward me from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. The fire inside the cloud glowed like gleaming amber. From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, except that each had four faces and two pairs of wings. Their legs were straight like human legs, but their feet were split like calves’ feet and shone like burnished bronze. Beneath each of their wings I could see human hands. The wings of each living being touched the wings of the two beings beside it. The living beings were able to fly in any direction without turning around. Each had a human face in the front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle at the back. Each had two pairs of outstretched wings – one pair stretched out to touch the wings of the living beings on either side of it, and the other pair covered its body. They went in whatever direction the spirit chose, and they moved straight forward in all directions without having to turn around.

The living beings looked like bright coals of fire or brilliant torches, and it looked as though lightning was flashing back and forth among them. And the living beings darted to and fro like flashes of lightning.

As I looked at these beings, I saw four wheels on the ground beneath them, one wheel belonging to each. The wheels sparkled as if made of chrysolite. All four wheels looked the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it. The beings could move forward in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. The rims of the four wheels were awesomely tall, and they were covered with eyes all around the edges. When the four living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. When they flew upward, the wheels went up, too. The spirit of the four living beings was in the wheels. So wherever the spirit went, the wheels and the living beings went, too. When the living beings moved, the wheels moved. When the living beings stopped, the wheels stopped. When the living beings flew into the air, the wheels rose up. For the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

There was a surface spread out above them like the sky. It sparkled like crystal. Beneath this surface the wings of each living being stretched out to touch the other’s wings, and each had two wings covering its body. As they flew their wings roared like waves crashing against the shore, or like the voice of the Almighty, or like the shouting of a mighty army. When they stopped, they let down their wings. As they stood with their wings lowered, a voice spoke from beyond the crystal surface above them.

Above the surface over their heads was what looked like a throne made of blue sapphire. And high above this throne was a figure whose appearance was like that of a man. From his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining through the clouds. This was the way the glory of the LORD appeared to me. When I saw it, I fell face down in the dust, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

Isaiah 6:1-13

In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Hovering around him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with the remaining two they flew. In a great chorus they sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” The glorious singing shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke.

Then I said, “My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!”

Then one of the seraphim flew over to the altar, and he picked up a burning coal with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?”

And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”

And he said, “Yes, go. But tell my people this: ‘You will hear my words, but you will not understand. You will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Close their ears, and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn to me for healing.”

Then I said, “Lord, how long must I do this?”

And he replied, “Until their cities are destroyed, with no one left in them. Until their houses are deserted and the whole country is an utter wasteland. Do not stop until the LORD has sent everyone away to distant lands and the entire land of Israel lies deserted. Even if only a tenth – a remnant – survive, it will be invaded again and burned. Israel will remain a stump, like a tree that is cut down, but the stump will be a holy seed that will grow again.”

Revelation 1:9-19

I am John, your brother. In Jesus we are partners in suffering and in the Kingdom and in patient endurance. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and speaking about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard a loud voice behind me, a voice that sounded like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write down what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were bright like flames of fire. His feet were as bright as bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was as bright as the sun in all its brilliance.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to death and the grave. Write down what you have seen – both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen later.

John 3:12-13

But if you don’t even believe me when I tell you about things that happen here on earth, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven? For only I, the Son of Man, have come to earth and will return to heaven again.

John 3:31-36

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God’s Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them.”

John 17:1-5

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone in all the earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do. And now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

John 3:6

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.

Revelation 12:1-17

Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant, and she cried out in pain of labor as she awaited her delivery.

Suddenly, I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. His tail dragged down one-third of the stars, which he threw to the earth. He stood before the woman as she was about to give birth to her child, ready to devour the baby as soon as it was born.

She gave birth to a boy who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And the child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to give her care for 1,260 days.

Then there was a war in heaven. Michael and the angels under his command fought the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle and was forced out of heaven. This great dragon – the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world – was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,

“It has happened at last – the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth – the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. And they have defeated him because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die. Rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea. For the Devil has come down to you in great anger, and he knows that he has little time.”

And when the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the child. But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle. This allowed her fly to a place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.

Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from its mouth. But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. Then the dragon became angry at the woman, and he declared war against the rest of her children – all who keep God’s commandments and confess that they belong to Jesus.

Matthew 5:11-12

“God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.

Matthew 5:33-37

“Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do no break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say, don’t make any vows! If you say, ‘By heaven!’ it is a sacred vow because heaven is God’s throne. And if you say, ‘By the earth!’ it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don’t swear, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Don’t even swear, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.

Matthew 6:19-21

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

Luke 16:8-9

“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the citizens of this world are more shrewd than the godly are. I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.

Luke 16:10-12

“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?

Luke 6:35-36

“Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don’t be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Genesis 1:1-2:4

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” Together these made up one day.

And God said, “Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water.” And so it was. God made this space to separate the waters above from the waters below. And God called the space “sky.” This happened on the second day.

And God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky be gathered into one place so dry ground may appear.” And so it was. God named the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed – bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed – bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And so it was. The land was filled with seed – bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind. And God saw that it was good. This all happened on the third day.

And God said, “Let bright lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years. Let their light shine down upon the earth.” And so it was. For God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. The greater one, the sun, presides during the day; the lesser one, the moon, presides through the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the heavens to light the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. This all happened on the fourth day.

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” So God created great sea creatures and every sort of fish and every kind of bird. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, “Let the fish multiply and fill the oceans. Let the birds increase and fill the earth.” This all happened on the fifth day.

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal – livestock, small animals, and wildlife.” And so it was. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to reproduce more of its own kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life – the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals.”

So God created people in his own image;

God patterned them after himself;

male and female he created them.

God blessed them and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.” And God said, “Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food.” And so it was. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.

This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 28:10-22

Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone for a pillow and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down on it.

At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, “I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.”

Then Jacob woke up and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God – the gateway to heaven!” The next morning he got up very early. He took the stone he had used as a pillow and set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. He named the place Bethel – “house of God” – though the name of the nearby village was Luz.

Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God. This memorial pillar will become a place of worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me.”

 

Wisdom

I prayed to God a lot before addressing this subject. For I know that I am not very wise. The one thing that I can say is that all of the Wisdom that I have in life I give the glory to God for. In this study you will see that Wisdom is always calling out to us to receive from her. Wisdom can be taught to us, it can be poured out upon us. Wisdom gives advice and correction. We have to listen to receive Wisdom. The LORD grants Wisdom. Wisdom will enter our hearts. Wisdom will save you from evil people. Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman or man. Proverbs 3:7 says “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.” Happy is the person who finds Wisdom. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her. The wise inherit honor. Learn to be wise. Don’t turn your back on Wisdom, for she will protect you. Getting Wisdom is the most important thing that you can do! If you prize Wisdom she will exalt you. Love Wisdom like a sister. Wisdom calls out and everything she says is right and she speaks the truth and hates every kind of deception. Wisdoms words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn. Wisdom lives together with good judgment, she knows where to discover knowledge and discernment. Wisdom hates arrogance, corruption and perverted speech. Good advice and success belong to Wisdom. Insight and strength belong to Wisdom. Wisdom loves all who love her. Those who search for Wisdom will surely find her. Unending riches, honor, wealth, and justice are hers to distribute. Wisdoms gifts are better than pure gold. Wisdom walks in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love Wisdom inherit wealth. Whoever finds Wisdom finds life and approval from the LORD. Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise you will be the one to benefit from it!!!

Now that you can see that Wisdom has a lot to say and a lot of other benefits that go with becoming wise, I hope that you study this subject diligently and receive all that you can from Wisdom. I tell people the difference between wisdom and knowledge is that wisdom is the ability to make the right choice with all of the knowledge that we have received on the subject. What I mean, is that, there are all sorts of knowledgeable people out there on all sorts of subjects, but they do not necessarily apply what they know into their lives. Like the guy who continues to smoke even though he knows it is slowly killing him. Wisdom would say stop, but they refuse to listen. I hope that this study blesses you and that God grants you plenty of wisdom in your life so that you can reap the benefits that Wisdom can bring into your life. May God Bless You and remember the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom!!!!!!!!!

Wisdom: n. 1. the quality of being wise; good judgment, that comes from knowledge and experience in life [She had the wisdom to save money for her old age.] 2. learning; knowledge

Wise: adj. 1. having or showing good judgment [ a wise judge; a wise decision]. 2. having knowledge or information; informed; learned [I was no wiser after reading the article.]

Proverbs 1:1-7

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just and fair. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people.

Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. “You simpletons!” she cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.

“I called you so often, but you didn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you – when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you.

“I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For they are simpletons who turn away from me – to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm.”

Proverbs 2:1-22

My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose speech is corrupt. These people turn from right ways to walk down dark and evil paths. They rejoice in doing wrong, and they enjoy evil as it turns things upside down. What they do is crooked, and their ways are wrong.

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the adulterous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. Entering he house leads to death; it is the road to hell. The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.

Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the upright will live in the land, and those who have integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be destroyed.

Proverbs 3:7-8

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.

Proverbs 3:13-19

Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. By this knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the clouds poured down rain.

Proverbs 3:21-24

My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams.

Proverbs 3:35

The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!

Proverbs 4:5-9

Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don’t forget or turn away from my words. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.

Proverbs 4:10-13

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run. Carry out my instructions; don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.

Proverbs 5:1-2

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will learn to be discreet and will store up knowledge.

Proverbs 6:6-8

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.

Proverbs 7:4-5

Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. Let them hold you back from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of an adulterous woman.

Proverbs 8:1-11

Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, “I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naïve you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn.

            “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it.

Proverbs 8:12-36

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the LORD will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech. Good advice and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.

“I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me. Unending riches, honor, wealth, and justice are mine to distribute. My gifts are better than the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth, for I fill their treasuries.

“The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born – before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.

“I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth. I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with what he created – his wide world and all the human family!

“And so, my children, listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the LORD. But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come home with me,” she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise.” 

Proverbs 9:8-9

So don’t bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more. Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more.

Proverbs 9:10-12

Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding.

Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Proverbs 10:1

A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

Proverbs 10:5

A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame.

Proverbs 10:8

The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

Proverbs 10:13

Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but fools will be punished with a rod.

Proverbs 10:14

Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites trouble.

Proverbs 10:19

Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!

Proverbs 10:23

Doing wrong is fun for a fool, while wise conduct is a pleasure to the wise.

Proverbs 10:31-32

The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.

Proverbs 11:2

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:12

It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.

Proverbs 11:30

The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise.

Proverbs 12:8

Everyone admires a person with good sense, but a warped mind is despised.

Proverbs 12:15

Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 12:18

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 13:1

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a young mocker refuses to listen.

Proverbs 13:14

The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:16

Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it!

Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 14:1

A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.

Proverbs 14:3

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble.

Proverbs 14:6

A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Proverbs 14:8

The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.

Proverbs 14:16

The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence.

Proverbs 14:24

Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only folly.

Proverbs 14:33

Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

Proverbs 14:35

A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.

Proverbs 15:2

The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness.

Proverbs 15:7

Only the wise can give good advice; fools cannot do so.

Proverbs 15:12

Mockers don’t love those who rebuke them, so they stay away from the wise.

Proverbs 15:20

Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.

Proverbs 15:21

Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.

Proverbs 15:24

The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave behind.

Proverbs 15:31

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

Proverbs 15:33

Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 16:14

The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise do what they can to appease it.

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold, and understanding than silver!

Proverbs 16:20

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be happy.

Proverbs 16:21

The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it’s well presented.

Proverbs 16:23

From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

Proverbs 17:2

A wise slave will rule over the master’s shameful sons and will share their inheritance.

Proverbs 17:10

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

Proverbs 17:24

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:28

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Proverbs 18:4

A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a babbling brook.

Proverbs 18:15

Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.

Proverbs 19:8

To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.

Proverbs 19:20

Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.

Proverbs 20:1

Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise.

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king finds the wicked, lays them out like wheat, then runs the crushing wheel over them.

Proverbs 21:11

A simpleton can learn only by seeing mockers punished; a wise person learns from instruction.

Proverbs 21:20

The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

Proverbs 21:22

The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

Proverbs 21:30

Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD.

Proverbs 22:17-29

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today – yes, you – so you will trust in the LORD. I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. In this way, you may know the truth and bring an accurate report to those who sent you.

Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them.

Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Do not co-sign another person’s note or put up a guarantee for someone else’s loan. If you can’t pay it, even you bed will be snatched from under you.

Do not steal your neighbor’s property by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by your ancestors.

Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.

Proverbs 23:15-28

My child, how I will rejoice if you become wise. Yes, my heart will thrill when you speak what is right and just.

Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed.

My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags.

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother’s experience when she is old. Get the truth and don’t ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment. The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure it is to have wise children. So give your parents joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom. A prostitute is a deep pit; an adulterous woman is treacherous. She hides and waits like a robber, looking for another victim who will be unfaithful to his wife.

Proverbs 24:3

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.

Proverbs 24:5-6

A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many counselors.

Proverbs 24:7

Wisdom is too much for a fool. When the leaders gather, the fool has nothing to say.

Proverbs 24:13-14

My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

Proverbs 24:23-34

Here are some further sayings of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment. A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. But blessings are showered on those who convict the guilty.

It is an honor to receive an honest reply.

Develop your business first before building your house.

Do not testify spitefully against innocent neighbors; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for all their meanness to me! I’ll get even!”

I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one lacking sense. I saw that it was overgrown with thorns. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 25:12

Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold.

Proverbs 26:16

Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.

Proverbs 27:11

My child, how happy I will be if you turn out to be wise! Then I will be able to answer my critics.

Proverbs 28:7

Young people who obey the law are wise; those who seek out worthless companions bring shame to their parents.

Proverbs 28:26

Trusting oneself is foolish, but those who walk in wisdom are safe.

Proverbs 29:3

The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

Proverbs 29:8

Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but those who are wise will calm anger.

Proverbs 29:9

If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back. 

Proverbs 29:15

To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Proverbs 30:24-28

There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:

Ants – they aren’t strong, but they store up food for the winter.

Rock badgers – they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocky cliffs.

Locusts – they have no king, but they march like an army in ranks.

Lizards – they are easy to catch, but they are found even in king’s palaces.

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will no resent you asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.

James 3:13-18

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

Ephesians 1:6-8

So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 3:10-11

God’s purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are joined together in his church. This was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:14-19

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9

All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough.

Considering this, do wise people really have any advantage over fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others?

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 7:4

A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now.

Ecclesiastes 7:5

It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool!

Ecclesiastes 7:7

Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12

Being wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better. Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it’s important to know that only wisdom can save your life.

Ecclesiastes 7:13

Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don’t fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:19

A wise person is stronger than the ten leading citizens of a town!

Ecclesiastes 7:23-26

All along I have tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t really work. Wisdom is always distant and very difficult to find. I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.

I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.

Ecclesiastes 8:1

How wonderful to be wise, to be able to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its hardness.

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16

I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy human wisdom

            and discard their most brilliant ideas.”

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God’s way seems foolish to the Jews because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God.

            This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom. As the Scripture say,

“The person who wishes to boast

            should boast only of what the Lord has done.”

Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn’t use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God’s message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.

Yet when I am among mature Christians, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to the world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world, who are being brought to nothing. No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared

for those who love him.”

But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets. No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can’t understand us at all. How could they? For,

“Who can know what the Lord is thinking?

            Who can give him counsel?”

But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God’s standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,

“God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness.”

And again,

“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless.”

Job 37:14-24   Side note: This passage is spoken by Elihu. (One of Job’s friends)

“Listen, Job; stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God! Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash forth from his clouds? Do you understand how he balances the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill? When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still, he makes the skies reflect the heat like a giant mirror. Can you do that?

“You think you know so much, so teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments. Should God be told that I want to speak? Can we speak when we are confused? We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds. Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor. We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, yet he is so just and merciful that he does not oppress us. No wonder people everywhere fear him. People who are truly wise show him reverence.”

Isaiah 5:21

Destruction is certain for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be clever.

Psalm 107:1-43

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Some wandered in the desert, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one helped them rise again. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.

Some were fools in their rebellion; they suffered for their sins. Their appetites were gone, and death was near. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He spoke, and they were healed – snatched from the door of death. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

Some went off in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the LORD’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and sank again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.

He changes rivers into deserts, and springs of water into dry land. He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands, because of the wickedness of those who live there. But he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into flowing springs. He brings the hungry to settle there and build their cities. They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest their bumper crops. How he blesses them! They raise large families there, and their herds of cattle increase. When they decrease in number and become impoverished through oppression, trouble, and sorrow, the LORD pours contempt on their princes, causing them to wander in trackless wastelands. But he rescues the poor from their distress and increases their families like vast flocks of sheep. The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are stricken silent. Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being at the right place at the right time.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works. There was a small town with only a few people living in it, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. There was a poor, wise man living there who knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought any more about him. Then I realized that though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long. But even so, the quiet words of a wise person are better than the shouts of a foolish king. A wise person can overcome weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10:2

The hearts of the wise lead them to do right, and the hearts of the foolish lead them to do evil.

Ecclesiastes 10:10

Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but the speech of fools brings them to ruin.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Because the Teacher was wise, he taught the people everything he knew. He collected proverbs and classified them. Indeed, the Teacher taught the plain truth, and he did so in an interesting way.

A wise teacher’s words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd.

But, my child, be warned: There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed.

Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!

Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the LORD and the wall around the city. At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local altars, for a temple honoring the name of the LORD had not yet been built.

Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the instructions of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local altars. The most important of these altars was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed one thousand burnt offerings. That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Solomon replied, “You were wonderfully kind to my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued this great kindness to him today by giving him a son to succeed him. O LORD my God, now you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am among your own chosen people, a nation so great they are too numerous to count! Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of yours?”

The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s reply and was glad that he had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people and have not asked for a long life or riches for yourself or the death of your enemies – I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding mind such as no one else has ever had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for – riches and honor! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”

Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord’s covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.

Some time later, two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled. “Please, my lord,” one of them began, “this woman and I live in the same house, I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house. Three days later, she also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house. But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it. Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her. And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t my son at all.”

Then the other woman interrupted, “It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine.”

“No,” the first woman said, “the dead one is yours, and the living one is mine.” And so they argued back and forth before the king.

Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead child belongs to the other. All right, bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought to the king. Then he said, “Cut the living child in two and give half to each of these women!”

Then the woman who really was the mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child – please do not kill him!

But the other woman said, “All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!”

Then the king said, “Do not kill him, but give the baby to the woman who wants him to live, for she is the mother!”

Word of the king’s decision spread quickly throughout all Israel, and the people were awed as they realized the great wisdom God had given him to render decisions with justice.

Job 28:1-28

“People know how to mine silver and refine gold. They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone. They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest, darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore. They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire.

“People know how to find sapphires and gold dust – treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon’s eye observe – for they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures; no lion has set his paw there. People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains. They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones. They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures.

“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. ‘It is not here,’ says the ocean. ‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea.

“It cannot be bought for gold or silver. Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx stone or sapphires. Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. Coral and valuable rock crystal are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above pearls. Topaz from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. Its value is greater than the purest gold.

“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? For it is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it. But Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of where wisdom can be found.’

“God surely knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens. He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity: “The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”

 

Sexuality

When I put this study together I was dating my wife and she had a co-worker that she said was gay but she was a Christian. She asked me if this could be true that her co-worker be gay and a Christian? I told her why don’t we put together every verse we could find in the Word of God (The Holy Bible) on the subject then study it together to find out what it said. So we did just that, we searched the Scriptures and pulled out everything that we could find that had to do with sexuality. Now I am not claiming that these are all of the verses on the subject in the Word of God, but there are enough to come up with a conclusion for the question asked.

We see that God created both male and female and had a purpose for each one, to come together and be united as it says in Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” We also see in 1 Corinthians 7:3 that both the husband and the wife have an obligation to each other, to fulfill their marital duties (have sex with each other). They are told not to deprive each other so that Satan cannot tempt them due to their lack of self-control.

In Ephesians 5:25 God commands that husbands love their wives as Christ loved the church. This is a sacrificial love that will die to self. This is very hard for men to do, but it can be done with the help of the Lord. Then it says in Ephesians 5:33 that a wife must respect her husband. Now I can tell you that I and my wife later on attended a marriage conference in which I would recommend to anyone, believer or not. It was Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and something that he brought up in this conference was the fact that God had to command a man to love his wife, because it is not natural for a man to love. And God had to command a woman to respect for it is not natural in her nature. All you have to do is watch the sexes and you will see that this is true. Men have to be taught how to love and women have to be taught how to respect. This is just how God made us.

Now in Romans chapter 1 the Word of God explains why God gave people over to such degrading of their bodies with one another. It says that their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts became darkened. They claimed to be wise, but they became fools exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to like mortal man. Then God’s judgment fell upon them, He gave them over to the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator. Because of this God gave them over to shameful lusts.

You will see that it says that the women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones and that men abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Then it says that men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Now the one thing that I noticed about this part of Scripture is that the men had an additional judgment that is not actually addressed to the women. It says that the men received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. The reason I believe that the men have a stricter penalty is because of what it says in the Book of Genesis. That Eve was deceived. But Adam made a choice to follow Eve instead of God and since the Word of God says in Ephesians chapter 5 that the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the church. That position of authority has been given to the man not the woman. So I believe that is why there is a stricter penalty.

Now to get back to the original question, can you be gay and be a Christian? Sexual sin is sexual sin. It does not matter if you are gay or you are having sex outside of marriage, committing adultery, etc. That fact is sin separates you from God period. You will be eternally separated from God for all eternity if you do not repent of your sins and turn to God. Just because you are gay, does not mean that God does not love you. God the Father sent His only begotten Son to die in your place on the Cross in order to make you right with Him. Jesus shed his perfect blood to pay the price for all of our sins so that we could be made right with God the Father. All we have to do is receive this perfect gift that God has provided for us and turn to God. Thank Him for sending His Son to die on the Cross for our sins and repent, which means turn the other way from our sins. Stop doing whatever separates us from Him.

When I speak on this subject I speak with compassion, because I was once caught up in sexual sin. I was an adulterer, I was a fornicator, I was sexually immoral, I was caught up in sexual perversion. I was a sex addict.

In the Scriptures below you are going to see what the penalties were in the Old Testament. Now we do not live under the Old Testament, for when Jesus came and died on the Cross, he blessed us with the New Testament. That is what we live under today. But if you do not repent, Scripture teaches that you will be judged by the laws of the Old Testament on Judgment Day.

I pray to God that whoever reads through this study gets a true understanding of who God is and how He feels about this subject. It says that sexual sin is the only sin that directly affects your body and we know that it does with all of the sexual diseases out there today. Do not lose hope if you fail miserably in this area of your life, I struggled with lust for years but the LORD took it away. I know of people that the LORD has even miraculously healed of sexual diseases. Whether God immediately takes away these desires of sexual impurity away from you or whether you repent and then struggle as I did, He has a purpose in all of it. The main thing is that you repent of any sin in your life and get right with God so that the healing can begin. I believe that you will see for yourself the answer to the question posed earlier. It is quite clear that people who are not sexually pure will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. To be a Christian is to be Christ like and when we are not sexually pure and doing what the Lord has told us to do in His Word, we are outside of His will. May God Bless You and I hope that the LORD grants you repentance!!!

Sexual: having to do with sex or the sexes or with the drives, desires, etc. related to sex.

Genesis 2:18-25

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

I Corinthians 7:1-16

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this command ( not I, but the Lord ): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. To the rest, I say this ( I, not the Lord ): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Ephesians 5:22-33

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the LORD. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church– for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about the Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Galatians 5:16-21

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Romans 1:18-32

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator- who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a deprived mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. “Everything is permissible for me”- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”- but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”- but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 10:6-8

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did- and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

Numbers 25:1-9

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor.” Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them- through the Israelite and into the woman’s body. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.

Side Note: There were a 1,000 leaders that were added to the number of the 23,000 that were destroyed that day. Numbers 25:4 “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”

The Law

Forbidden Sexual Practices

Leviticus 18:1-30

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say this to your people the Israelites: I, the LORD, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the LORD, am your God. If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD. “You must never have sexual intercourse with a close relative, for I am the LORD. Do not violate your father by having sexual intercourse with your mother. She is your mother; you must never have intercourse with her. Do not have sexual intercourse with any of your father’s wives, for this would violate your father. “Do not have sexual intercourse with your sister or half sister, whether she is your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was brought up in the same family or somewhere else.” “Do not have sexual intercourse with your granddaughter, whether your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would violate you. Do not have sexual intercourse with the daughter of any of your father’s wives; she is your half sister. Do not have intercourse with your aunt, your father’s sister, because she is your father’s close relative. Do not have sexual intercourse with your aunt, your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative. And do not violate your uncle, your father’s brother, by having sexual intercourse with his wife; she also is your aunt. Do not have sexual intercourse with your daughter-in-law; she is your son’s wife. Do not have intercourse with your brother’s wife; this would violate your brother. “Do not have sexual intercourse with both a woman and her daughter or marry both a woman and her granddaughter, whether her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter. They are close relatives, and to do this would be a horrible wickedness. “Do not marry a woman and her sister because they will be rivals. But if your wife dies, then it is all right to marry her sister. “Do not violate a woman by having sexual intercourse with her during her period of menstrual impurity. “Do not defile yourself by having sexual intercourse with your neighbor’s wife. “Do not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. “Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin. “A man must never defile himself by having sexual intercourse with an animal, and a woman must never present herself to a male animal in order to have intercourse with it; this is a terrible perversion. “Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the people I am expelling from the Promised Land have defiled themselves. As a result, the entire land has become defiled. That is why I am punishing the people who live there, and the land will soon vomit them out. You must strictly obey all of my laws and regulations, and you must not do any of these detestable things. This applies both to you who are Israelites by birth and to the foreigners living among you. “All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and the land has become defiled. Do not give the land a reason to vomit you out for defiling it, as it will vomit out the people who live there now. Whoever does any of these detestable things will be cut off from the community of Israel. So be careful to obey my laws, and do not practice any of these detestable activities. Do not defile yourselves by doing any of them, for I, the LORD, am your God.

Punishments for Disobedience

Leviticus 20:10-24

“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. If a man has intercourse with his father’s wife, both the man and the woman must die, for they are guilty of a capital offense. If a man has intercourse with his daughter-in-law, both must be put to death. They have acted contrary to nature and are guilty of a capital offense. “The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have committed a detestable act and are guilty of a capital offense. If a man has intercourse with both a woman and her mother, such an act is terribly wicked. All three of them must be burned to death to wipe out such wickedness from among you. “If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he must be put to death, and the animal must be killed. If a woman approaches a male animal to have intercourse with it, she and the animal must both be put to death. Both must die, for they are guilty of a capital offense. “If a man has sexual intercourse with his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, it is a terrible disgrace. Both of them must be publicly cut off from the community. Since the man has had intercourse with his sister, he will suffer the consequences of his guilt. If a man has intercourse with a woman who is menstruating, both of them must be cut off from the community, because he exposed the source of her flow, and she allowed him to do it. “If a man has sexual intercourse with his aunt, whether his mother’s sister or his father’s sister, he has violated a close relative. Both parties are guilty of a capital offense. If a man has intercourse with his uncle’s wife, he has violated his uncle. Both the man and woman involved are guilty of a capital offense and will die childless. If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has violated his brother, and the guilty couple will remain childless. “You must carefully obey all my laws and regulations; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you will vomit you out. Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is because they do these terrible things that I detest them so much. But I have promised that you will inherit their land, a land flowing with milk and honey. I, the LORD, am your God, who has set you apart from all other people.

Note:   These are the sexual laws that apply to all of us whether we are believers or not, this is God’s law that you will be judged by on the Day of Judgment if you are not following the ways of the LORD. In Galatians 5:18, where it says “But if you are led by the Spirit, then you are not under the Law.” This means that you are not breaking God’s law and that you are living a holy life. Which is only possible by repenting from any sin that you are committing or have committed in the past and ask the LORD to forgive you for your sins in Jesus’ name. The word repent means to change your mind about what you are doing or have done and to turn the other way from it. For it says in Romans 3:23 that “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” This is why Jesus came to this earth and died on the Cross, that we should be forgiven for our sins through believing that he died for ours sins and bore the punishment for us, to reconcile us to a relationship with the God of this universe, through him. Remember if you repent and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and follow his ways that you are not under the law. For you would be able to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of your flesh. May God bless you through his word and cleanse your heart, and I hope that this study helped clarify what the Bible says about sexuality and how the LORD views it.

God Bless YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Lazy People

As you will read in the Scriptures below, the Word of God (The Holy Bible) has a lot to say about lazy people and none of it is good. The LORD in Scripture gives a parable about some different stewards (Workers) that the land owner gave money to invest and to grow while he was away on business. Well when the land owner came back to see what kind of dividends he would receive, the first guy he gave 10 coins to told him that he now had 20 coins. The second guy who he gave 5 coins to now had 10 coins and the third guy in which he gave a coin to still had the same coin. When the land owner asked him why, he told him that he knew that the land owner was a hard man to work for and that the owner reaped where he did not sow. So he thought that he would bury the coin until he returned. So the land owner rebuked him for his bad decision and told his men to take the coin from the one guy and give it to the guy who now had 20 coins.

This illustration is to show us what the LORD thinks about excuses and our ungodly opinions. He is basically telling us that whatever He has given us will be taken away in the future and given to those who are diligent at their work. We come into this world with nothing and we leave this world with nothing from here. Now on the other hand, according to Scripture we could be storing our treasures in heaven. In Scripture it talks about two different judgments, one for unbelievers and one for believers. Now many scholars believe that the judgment for believers is going to be a rewards ceremony, but it could also be a lack of rewards for those who do not do what they should have done with what God had given them. May God Bless You and give you a diligent heart to be a good steward and the wisdom to use what He has given you to further His Kingdom!!!

Lazy: adj. not eager or willing to work or try hard [ a lazy person ].

Proverbs 6:6-11

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 10:4

Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.

Proverbs 10:5

A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame.

Proverbs 10:26

Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.

1Thessalonians 5:14

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy, Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from any Christian who lives in idleness and doesn’t follow the tradition of hard work we gave you. For you know that you ought to follow our example. We were never lazy when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so that we would not be a burden to any of you. It wasn’t that we didn’t have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Whoever does not work should not eat.”

Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to such people- no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living. And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs to be warned.

Romans 12:11

Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Authority

In our society today we have a lot of problems with authority. The people tend to reject authority because of the abuse of the authorities in charge. But when we rebel against authority in general we are actually rebelling against God Himself. For the Scriptures clearly teaches us that God is the one who actually establishes the authority in the first place. If you study Scripture you would see that God would actually raise up wicked people to judge his people all of the time throughout the Old Testament, the reason being, is because His people had rejected God’s authority to rule over their lives and they did things their own way. So in order for God to correct them, He would raise up an outside kingdom to come and conquer His people to show them that He was in charge and so that they would get back into line with Him. They would not repent of their sins and the more they sinned the more they destroyed themselves. So by God raising up this outside kingdom they would be conquered, then they would start seeking the LORD again. They knew God and His commandments but over time they would slowly fall away from doing what they were suppose to do and slowly started fulfilling the lust of their flesh in all sorts of ungodly behavior. It was not until they were extremely sinning would God send His judgment. That is what people do today also. They either believe in God and test Him to see how far they can push their sin or they do not know God and just suffer the consequences of their sin and learn from their mistakes. The one thing that I have noticed as a child of God, is that , God does not always send His immediate judgment. In most cases God actually is quite gracious with us, then He will be merciful, but the further we push it the judgment comes. This is how I explain the difference between grace, mercy, and judgment (aka: justice). Justice is when you stole a Nissan Sentra and got caught and they gave you prison time for stealing it. Mercy is when you stole a Nissan Sentra and got caught and they only gave you probation for 5 years. Grace is when you stole a Nissan Sentra and got caught and they did not give you prison time, but let you go and told you since you need a car that they were going to give you a Corvette. This is the difference between Grace, Mercy and Justice.

Now according to Scripture it says that God uses the authorities to deal with the lawless. These are the people who do not care about the laws and do whatever they choose to do. Well, as you can tell we are living in times that are lawless. The people tend to do whatever pleases them and they do not think that there are going to be any consequences for their actions. They do not understand that they will reap what they sow, or as the world puts it Karma (What goes around comes around). When people do not believe in a higher power such as God, they tend to think that they are God and can do whatever they please without any of the consequences. It does not take very long to figure out that this is not true. Life has a funny way of showing us this. I should know I did not come to Christ until I was 31 years old and believe me I took the road of hard knocks.

When God uses His authorities to deal with the lawless, this is where the rubber hits the road. People either do one of two things, they either get right with the LORD, or they harden their hearts and choose to continue down that road of hard knocks. This is where God gives us the choice of what path we choose to go down. My brother was this guy most of his life and continued to harden his heart and chase the dope bag. This continued to land him in jail and prison a whole lot of times, then finally on his last prison term he got right and decided to get on the right path. He has been out of the system for over 8 years now and has his own business. He will be the first one to tell you that he now has favor with the LORD, compared to where he used to be.

Now to conclude about authority, you will see that God the Father has given all authority to Jesus Christ and He will be coming in the future with the final judgment. Until then, he has put certain spiritual laws into effect so that we can learn and obey. Such as the reaping and sowing. He has also given us a conscience so that we know right from wrong and according to Scripture it tells us if we sin enough that our consciences become seared shut, that means that pretty soon we do not feel bad for doing what is evil. This is where the death penalty comes in for a serial murder for an example. If this person does not have any remorse for the things that they have done then they have clearly chosen to go to Hell for all eternity. We do not have to feel sorry for these people they have made their choice and now they will have to be eternally separated from God for all of eternity. God does not want people to go to heaven that do not want to be there. That is why God gives us a choice. I would suggest that you read the studies on Heaven and Hell to know the difference of where people choose to go. May God Bless You through this study and I hope that you get in line with God’s authority before He uses His authorities here on earth to judge you, and if this does happen remember to repent before the final judgment comes for all eternity!!!

Authority: n. 1  the right to give orders, make decisions, or take action  2  a person or agency that has the right to govern or the power to enforce laws.

Romans 13:1-5

Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience.

Ephesians 1:10

And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.

Ephesians 1:22

And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him authority for the benefit of the church.

John 3:35-36

The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them.

John 17:1-5

“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone in all the earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do. And now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

Matthew 8:5-13

When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and racked with pain.”

Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

Then the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed! I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this or that,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites – those for whom the Kingdom was prepared – will be cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go on home. What you have believed has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

1 Peter 3:22

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him.

Esther 9:29-32

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen’s full authority behind Mordecai’s letter to establish the Festival of Purim. In addition, letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes. These letters established the Festival of Purim – an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.) So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records.

Proverbs 29:2

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

Matthew 7:28-29

After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority – quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Matthew 20:20-28

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left?”

But Jesus told them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

“You will indeed drink from it,” he told them. “But I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 21:23-27

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and other leaders came up to him. They demanded, “By whose authority did you drive out the merchants from the Temple? Who gave you such authority?”

“I’ll tell you who gave me the authority to do these things if you answer one question.” Jesus replied. “Did John’s baptism come from heaven or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves, “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe him. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed, because the people think he was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t answer your question either.”

Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his companions went to a town of Capernaum, and every Sabbath day he went into the synagogue and taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority – quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

A man possessed by an evil spirit was in the synagogue, and he began shouting. “Why are you bothering us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One sent from God!”

Jesus cut him short, “Be silent! Come out of the man.” At that, the evil spirit screamed and threw the man into a convulsion, but then left him.

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news of what he had done spread quickly through that entire area of Galilee.

Mark 10:35-45

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“In your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you,” they said, “one at your right and the other at your left.”

But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

“Oh yes,” they said, “we are able!”

And Jesus said, “You will indeed drink from my cup and be baptized with my baptism, but I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

When the ten other disciples discovered what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Advice

People tend to take advice from people whom they respect in one way or another. Many times people do not take advice from someone in which they believe judges them in some way. Often the person doing this is actually judging the other person unfairly. They have not even tried to connect to this person or already have some kind of preconceived judgment about this person due to what kind of car they drive or what they do for a living for an example. What I have found in life, is that we tend to hang out with those who either have similar interests or similar financial status. In either case we tend to take advice from these people. Now I can tell you that I am a mechanic and I do not go to other mechanics for medical advice. If I have a legal matter I would choose an attorney over a buddy on the issue. When it comes to life, I consult the Word of God (The Holy Bible).

There is an acronym for Bible and it is this Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I personally believe that there is a lot of wisdom in this acronym. You are going to see throughout this study that the Scriptures have a lot to say about the benefits of taking good advice and it also lets you know what is going to happen if you take the advice of the wicked and the fool. I would suggest if you have benefitted from this study to also read the studies on Wisdom and Understanding. I hope that the LORD opens your eyes and your ears to receive from this study and May God Bless You!!!

Advice: opinion given as to what to do or how to do something

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. “You simpletons!” she cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.

“I called you so often, but you didn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you- when anguish and distress overwhelm you.

“I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They rejected my advice and paid not attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For they are simpletons who turn away from me- to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm.

Proverbs 6:20-23

My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way of life 

Proverbs 7:1-5

Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey them and live! Guard my teachings as your most precious possession. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. Let them hold you back from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of an adulterous woman.

Proverbs 8:1-9

Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, “I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naïve you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn.

Proverbs 8:12-16

I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the LORD will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech. Good advice and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.

Proverbs 10:17

People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray.

Proverbs 10:31

The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

Proverbs 12:1

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

Proverbs 12:5

The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

Proverbs 12:15

Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 12:26

The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 13:10

Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise.

Proverbs 13:13

People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble; those who respect it will succeed.

Proverbs 13:14

The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:7

Only the wise can give good advice; fools spout only foolishness.

Proverbs 15:22

Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.

Proverbs 18:15

Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.

Proverbs 19:20

Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.

Proverbs 20:5

Though good advice lies deep within a person’s heart, the wise will draw it out.

Proverbs 20:18

Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.

Proverbs 23:9

Don’t waste your breath of fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.

Proverbs 25:11

Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.

Proverbs 29:18

When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.

Psalm 1:1-3

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

End Times/False Apostles

I believe that everyone is pretty sure that we are living in the end times. Even people who do not believe in God, think that the world as we know it is coming to an end. In this particular study you will see what the Bible has to say about the end times and false apostles (People who claim to represent God). It will tell you how to figure out the difference between the true child of God and the false one who claims to be a child of God. In 1 John 4:1 the word tells us to test the spirits, that means to see if the person claiming to be a child of God truly is. In verse 2 it says that every spirit that confesses that Jesus came in the flesh is of God and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus came in the flesh is not of God. In 1 Corinthians 12:3 it says that no one can say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit. Now in order to have the Holy Spirit you have to be a child of God. As you can see there are ways to test the spirit of a person to see who you are really dealing with. You see we have been warned in Scripture that the Evil One is going to try and trick us into believing a lie so that he can steal from us. So be diligent in keeping an eye out for false teaching and greed. According to Scripture it says that Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. We do not have to be paranoid about every person who claims to be a Christian, the one thing that I have noticed myself, is that you will just seem to know that there is something wrong in your spirit about that person who claims to be a child of God and is not. If they are not truly a child of God and you are, then their deception will eventually show itself. For the Word of God tells us that your sin will find you out. There are some clear cut signs about these people according to Ephesians 4:18-19, it says that their hearts are hard, that they have lost their sensitivity, that they live for sensuality and are greedy for more and more. In Titus 3:10 it tells us how to deal with these kinds of people. It tells us to warn them once, then twice, and if they do not listen to the correction, we are to have nothing to do with them at all. I hope that this study helps give you discernment about the last days and that God gives you wisdom of how to recognize these kind of people and what to do with them in your life, so that you will not be deceived by them, but will live out the rest of your days as a wise child of God. May God bless you and remember what the Word of God tells us, some of these people are among you in your own congregations. As long as you recognize them and rebuke them when necessary you will not be deceived. Satan is here to kill, steal, and destroy and he does his best work right inside churches where he sends his very own people to get the young Christians discouraged into not going back to church due to some offense from some supposed Christian, which was actually really a child of the Devil. Test the Spirits!!!!!!!! For a better understanding of the Christian walk and how the Devil works in our lives read the blog on Walking with the Lord.

I John 4:1-4

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

I John 2:18-26

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is a liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist- he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father: whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us- even eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

II Peter 2:1-3

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

II Corinthians 11:7-15

Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do! And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Ephesians 4:14-19

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves; and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Philippians 3:18-19

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

I Timothy 4:1-3

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

I Timothy 6:3-5

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

II Timothy 3:1-8

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth- men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

James 3:13-16

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Titus 3:9-11

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, then warn him a second time. After that. have nothing! to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

I Corinthians 12:3

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 1:6-10

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.

Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: if anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God’s curse fall upon that person.

Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.

 

 

Judging Others

This study was a very convicting study when I put it together. I grew up in a family that judged everything and had an opinion about everything. Even, all the people we hung around were very similar. When I first starting putting this study together I was not sure what to expect. What came out of it was I believe that everyone should read it and be convicted by it. I know that it helped me not be so judgmental towards others and to truly accept them for who they are. I have found out throughout the years that the LORD wants us not to condone (accept) peoples sin as the right thing to do, but to understand that all of us sin against God and each other. Whenever we sin (Miss the Mark), we offend God and it usually has some kind of negative effect upon others in our lives. As you will see by reading this study, that we all miss the mark considerably and I hope that you get something out of it. As a Christian I am to judge everything, but in a spiritual sense, not judge the person, but judge the spirit that is upon that person at the time of the offense. I tell people that the enemy (the Devil) uses all of us from time to time, to offend others and make bad decisions, but remember even when this happens and someone offends you, that God let it happen for some reason, whether we understand it or not. One thing that I have found to be true in my life, is when something keeps on happening repeatedly in my life, it is not usually the result of others being mean to me, it is usually some kind of lesson that the LORD Himself is trying to teach me and I am just to stubborn or ignorant to understand. This is usually when I will humble myself before the LORD and ask Him to give me understanding, so that I can learn the lesson and get onto the next step in life. Well, I hope that the Holy Spirit reveals a whole lot of different truths to you and that this study will help you look at your fellow brothers and sisters in a better light. May God Bless you and may you not be so quick to judge!!!

 

Matthew 7:1-6   Side note: This was Jesus speaking to his disciples.

“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrites! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

“Don’t give what is holy to unholy people. Don’t give pearls to swine! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”

Luke 6:37-42   Side note: This was Jesus speaking to his disciples.

“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving- large or small- it will be used to measure what is given back to you.”

Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher.

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Matthew 15:10-20

Then Jesus called to the crowds and said, “Listen to what I say and try to understand. You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do.

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”

Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be rooted up, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”

Then Peter asked Jesus, “Explain what you meant when you said people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”

“Don’t you understand?” Jesus asked him. “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body. But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands could never defile you and make you unacceptable to God!”

Mark 4:22-25           Side note: This is Jesus speaking.

“Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand- and even more, besides. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.”

Romans 1:18-2:11

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.

That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.

When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

You may be saying, “What terrible people you have been talking about!” But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?

But no, you won’t listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning – for the Jew first and also the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good – for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Romans 14:4

Who are you to condemn God’s servant? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you, something so evil that even the pagans don’t do it. I am told that you have a man in your church who is living in sin with his father’s wife. And you are so proud of yourselves! Why aren’t you mourning in sorrow and shame? And why haven’t you removed this man from your fellowship?

Even though I am not there with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. Concerning the one who has done this, I have already passed judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus. You are to call a meeting of the church, and I will be there in spirit, and the power of the Lord Jesus will be with you as you meet. Then you must cast this man out of the church and into Satan’s hands, so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved when the Lord returns.

How terrible that you should boast about your spirituality, and yet you let this sort of thing go on. Don’t you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected? Remove this wicked person from among you so that you can stay pure. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sanctified for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not by eating the old bread of wickedness and evil, but by eating the new bread of purity and truth.

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. What I meant was that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don’t even eat with such people.

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

1 Corinthians 6:1-8

When you have something against another Christian, why do you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter, instead of taking it to other Christians to decide who is right? Don’t you know that someday we Christians are going to judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we Christians will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disagreements here on earth. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why do you go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments? But instead, one Christian sues another – right in front of unbelievers!

To have such lawsuits at all is a real defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? But instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your own Christian brothers and sisters.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks of them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now! What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Drinking/Drugs

I want to address drinking and drug addiction in our society and how it affects so much of our society today. I grew up in a house that was this typical situation back in the 1970’s. My mom and dad were alcoholics, my brother and sisters were into the drug scene and I was the youngest one watching all of the drama unfold. Because of the alcohol abuse by mom and dad they would have these big blow out physical fights and of course us kids would get scared and my brother and sisters would try and protect mom which would of course, cause dad to turn his abuse onto the kids. Well, my brother and sisters would tell me to run and go hide. I would hear everybody screaming and yelling and be scared to death myself. When I got older my brother and sisters really got into the drug scene and they started dealing drugs, of course they were also using the same drugs that they dealt

Now needless to say, this is where the addiction comes in. Both my brother and my sister were addicted to the drug (Meth), and as everybody knows, this drug is extremely addictive and destructive. I watched both my brother and sister lose everything that they worked for their entire lives. My brother led a life of crime which turned out to land him in prison a few times and my sister has completely lost everything in her life, including isolating herself from her family due to the addiction over the drug.

The Word of God (The Holy Bible) clearly teaches us a lot about dealing with addiction and I would like to address it. In Proverbs 20:1 it says whoever is led astray by drinking is not wise. We all know the devastating effects of drinking and drug abuse. And we all know that it does have the effect of altering our decision making. We know that it is not a wise thing to do, but what we are typically doing is trying to escape our immediate situation, at least for a short time. In Proverbs 23 it says that your eyes will see strange things and your heart will utter perverse things. What this means is that your perception of reality has been altered and what you see is not necessarily the truth, and then what comes out of your own mouth is not right, you say things that are not true, because your perception of reality is altered, this totally effects all of our emotions and let’s face it, life is hard enough, without causing ourselves more problems. But this is where the addiction comes in, it also says “When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” Just like the drug addict that has to get their next fix. Different addictions, but the same mentality. They have to get back to trying to cover up their misery. In Proverbs 31 it says to give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. In this portion of Scripture you see the reasons that people drink and do drugs. They are perishing, this means that they feel like they are dying in their souls. They are bitter of heart, this means that they have some kind of issue in their heart that eats away at them all of the time. They drink or do drugs to forget their poverty, this either means, literally their poverty here on this earth as in they are poor, or it means, something that they are lacking in their very soul, something that they are in need of. The last reason that they drink or do drugs is because of their misery and they want to forget it. They have some kind of misery in their soul that plagues them. This can be all sorts of issues that just have never been resolved and continue to act as a heavy weight in their soul, such as depression, abuse (physical/or mental), lack of love in their lives (not receiving it or knowing how to love others), violence (either towards them or towards others), there are so many different kinds of miseries that we go through as people on this planet and every single one of them can be traced back to sin. Sin is when we miss the mark, that is, we do not do what is right. Either by committing some kind of evil or not stepping in when we see evil happening. We can sin either way.

Now let’s address how to beat addiction. Now in James 1:5 it says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NKJV). What this verse is saying is that if we are going to get a foothold on conquering our addiction, we need to pray to God for wisdom, for it tells us that whoever is led astray by these addictions is not wise. In our society we see a lot of very intelligent people make really stupid decisions and we think that these people are smart. Well, to your surprise I will agree with you. But just because someone is smart, this does not mean that they are wise. My own father was one of the smartest guys I have ever met, but he was not wise when he was led astray by drinking and this caused all sorts of issues in his life and his sin effected a whole lot of people. This is the difference between intelligence and wisdom, you can know what to do and not do it, but having wisdom, you will apply the knowledge into your life and watch God bless you for it. In Proverbs 23 it says to buy the truth and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. We lack a lot of things in our lives and all of them are addressed in the Bible. We need to ask God to give us each and every one of these things, wisdom, instruction, understanding, to show us the truth and impress it into our hearts so that we walk in the truth and not in the lie, that has kept us in bondage for so many years, just destroying our lives. I would like to invite you at this point to check out the wisdom and understanding studies in this website to further your progress in beating these addictions. I tell people to find a promise of God in Scripture and to stand on it, if God said it, then it is true!!!! But always remember that God always gives two or three other Scriptures to back up what He says, this is how you interpret Scripture. If you cannot find a lot of other Scriptures on a subject, then I tell people, that I believe that God did not think that we needed to know much about that subject. I hope that this study has helped you in some way and I know that if you pray to God for wisdom and do not doubt that He will give it to you, then stand back and get ready to receive it. May God Bless You and have a blessed day!!!!

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 23:23-35

Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

Proverbs 31:4-7

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

Isaiah 5:20-23

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!