Keep Your Faith With Wisdom

DEVOTIONAL:

As a former high school football coach, I used to teach my players the Two Rules for Winning: (1) Don't beat yourself. At least make your opponent beat you and earn the win. Don't just hand the game to them. (2) Practice the fundamental disciplines of the game. This is exactly what Proverbs does. Wisdom teaches us how to avoid defeat -- how to keep from beating ourselves. Wisdom also teaches us how to practice the basic disciplines of character. Our text provides these two rules for winning in life:

1. Do not withhold good from others.

   • "Do not devise evil against your neighbor."

   • "Do not strive without cause."

   • "Do not envy."

   
   

2. Guard wisdom. Keep sound wisdom and discretion. What does a "win" look like? Life to your soul. A beautiful ornament around your neck. You will walk safely in the way. Your sleep will be sweet. The Lord will be your confidence. God blesses the home of the just. God gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory.

So, guard wisdom and WIN!

Allan Taylor, Minister of Education

First Baptist Church Woodstock, Woodstock, GA

(Taken from God's Wisdom for Today Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes -- keep sound wisdom and discretion;

22 So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.

23 Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

26 For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," when you have it with you.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety's sake.

30 Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways;

32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, but His secret counsel is with the upright.

33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just.

34 Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.

~ Proverbs 3:21-35