Two Invitations
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning…Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. Proverbs 9:9,13
You’ve probably seen a cartoon with a person facing temptation—an angel on one shoulder offering good advice, a devil on the other shoulder offering evil advice. Proverbs 9 is like that.
First Wisdom invites the simple, that is, the young and inexperienced to come to a banquet. She warns them to forsake foolishness and live, receive correction and be wiser still. Begin by fearing God.
Then Folly offers “stolen water” and “secret bread.” Her seductive offer to the young and inexperienced sounds great but, without warning, brings death and hell.
We are bombarded with such choices every day. We are told, in effect, that Bad is Good and Good is Bad. The problem is that the bad often looks good, and the good looks bad. Moreover, the devil whispers, “Go ahead, can’t you see how good it is?” Ah yes, it does look good. But we recognize that voice. It’s the voice of death and hell.
We grow in wisdom as we learn the ways of God and the ways of the devil. We can resist his temptations the way Jesus resisted them, by quoting Scripture, “It is written.” Note testing, temptation, itself is not a sin—it’s giving in to it in a sinful way that’s a sin (see footnote for 1 Corinthians 10:13).
The devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.” He took Jesus to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke 4:1-12).
What does he offer us—new car, big house, bigger salary? What does the devil tempt us to try—daredevil stunts? Not taking good care of our bodies?
Be wise, learn to recognize the tricks of the devil and do not fall for them. Memorize encouraging verses to counter the lies. “For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:11).
Dig Deeper
What is your biggest temptation? Why do you think you’re weak in that area? What advice does Paul offer in 1 Corinthians 10:13?
Which of the following verses would be good for you to memorize to have handy when temptation comes: Mark 14:38, Luke 8:13, 1 Corinthians 7:2, or 1 Timothy 6:9?
How does God help us when we are tempted according to 2 Peter 2:1-10? How can you better rely on God’s help when you are tempted?
Nancy J. Baker
This devotion is part of a series on the Book of Proverbs.