Proverbs 3:7
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Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
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Here are three simple steps to guaranteed prosperity and success (3:8)! These are the means to grow in favor with God (3:5-6). There is nothing complicated here. If a man can reject the love of His own opinions, humble himself before the Sovereign of the universe, and hate sin and worldliness in his life, he will be great in the sight of God and men!
These three fundamental steps are connected. You will not fear God until you crush your pride and despise your wisdom: a proper view of the Almighty will help! And you will not despise sin and this world until you fear the LORD (Ps 4:4). Reader, here are the simple, yet precious and true, means to a successful life (Ps 111:10; 112:1-3; 128:1-6).
Pride is arrogant and haughty presumption your thoughts have value and deserve hearing. Though in diapers and nursing like a baby gerbil yesterday, you believe your ideas have merit. You cannot avoid a common cold, but you pontificate on moral matters. You were born with this curse, and it is fed by the devil, who lost his place in heaven for pride.
You know nothing, and the sooner you learn this fact, you are on the road to wisdom (I Cor 3:18-20). Apart from God's revelation, you do not know where you came from, where you are going, what you are, or why you exist, let alone what you should do! You struggle to keep the grass cut, and yet you question the Word of God? Fool, get down!
You are a pitiful, weak, helpless creature. Two fingers squeezing your nose will end your life (Is 2:22). Jehovah God, Lord of heaven and earth, is the independent and eternal sovereign Creator of the universe. You should tremble before Him and His word (Is 66:1-2). He can and will suffocate you, if you persist in rebellion against Him. Think Flood!
But His mercy and grace are visible to anyone looking (Matt 5:44-45; Acts 14:17). His benevolence is obvious! You are still alive, aren't you? And Scripture declares He can and will forgive those who confess and repent of their pride and rebellion. It is because of this forgiveness we are in reverent awe of Him and desiring to please Him (Ps 130:4).
With your pride eliminated, and your life dedicated to pleasing the blessed God, you will despise and reject sin. You will be perfect and eschew evil, like Job (Job 1:1). You will cut off evildoers from your house (Ps 101:2-8). You will love righteousness and hate sin (8:13). You will hate wicked men and their profane ambitions (Ps 15:4; 139:21-22).
In which of these three areas are you weak, reader? Correct your deficiency today!
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