F4S: May 2022

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Got three solution-points and some poems for those constantly troubled by life here. 1. Revival is in the Word! 2. Revival is from the Word! 3. Revival is through the Word!

Another way of saying that is spiritual restoration come from Jesus the living Word of God. Ask. 

Who hasn't been naïve, gullible or ripped off at times? Anyone? This is what we need, believers -- a personal spiritual revival! Others need a personal spiritual awakening and that comes from the Word as well. God can still quicken, restore or raise dead Americans. Anyone really! Yes, the best kind of awakening can be had (received) by you! Can be experienced here in the USA as well.  

Q: Seriously, got some problems that you need some help with? Are you naïve, compulsive, gullible, duped, stumbling, ripped off, or impulsive? Have you been deceived at times by fake news? Has your walk been one of spiritual compromise, of tripping and or of stumbling? Need God's free forgiveness

Revival anointing can break the yoke of slavery's cruel bondage! You can believe what's really so--the Bible. 

Are you compulsive or feeling down and defeated? You can overcome, you can walk in victory. God can pour out His Spirit again! 

"And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” Nahum 1:13 esv 

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 esv

Revival Anointing, Restoration-Outpouring Can't Make Saints Or Sinners Live Right, But It Can Make It Easy To If You Want To. It Breaks The Yoke of Bondage--Yep, Christ's Yoke Is Always Much Easier On People!

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~ Jesus nkjv

Are you over burdened and weary? Do you feel fried, beat or barbequed? His outpouring can help. When Christ becomes Lord we don’t take on more than we were meant to take. His yoke is lined in love! For the righteous there is a spiritual restoration, a reviving from asleep spiritually in the light into all the way awake. It’s better than Italian espresso does! And there is an awakening from death into full life for the unregenerate!  

“..I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:27f-30 msg

I’ve got three points for what you need: Biblical Revival, Biblical Revival, Biblical Revival!

Remember what the three R's of renewal, restoration and revving believers out of sleep! Here are God's three points...

1.) Repent and experience personal revival.

2.) Receive of God's outpouring and experience personal revival.

3 ) Relay the grace and truth you've received, experiencing personal revival.

Remember, repent, repeat! 

Yep, seek and sow to the Spirit. Do them again ..your first works of passion.

Never Forget The Three R’s of Revival and Recommitment unto Jesus!

The Bible says, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works.." Revelation 2:5 

Before we can ever talk about revival in the church, every Christian must ask themselves, Am I personally revived? Am I living as a committed, on-fire follower of Jesus Christ?

Ask yourself that question right now. If your answer is that you are not a committed, on-fire follower of Jesus Christ, you exist as part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Listen to what Jesus said to the church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation. He says,

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:2–5)

In So Cal USA I experienced a revival in the early ’70s. I challenge you to let it happen in you and then in the church. Turn (to Jesus), ask, believe and receive.

Dare ya if I may, to turn and come alive from the dead! To revive sleeping saint from cold as stone slumber or lame luke-warmness.. to red hot passion for Jesus Christ!

Remember the American Jonathan Edwards? He preached to his own congregation in Northampton, Massachusetts and it had a profound effect.. and then again on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut. The message was the catalyst for repentance and the First Great Awakening in the USA. It combined vivid imagery of Hell and observations of the world with ten "considerations"...

1. God may cast wicked men into Hell at any given moment.

2. The wicked deserve to be cast into Hell. Divine justice does not prevent God from destroying the wicked at any moment.

3. The wicked, at this moment, suffer under God's condemnation to Hell.

4. The wicked, on earth—at this very moment—suffer a sample of the torments of Hell. The wicked must not think, simply because they are not physically in Hell, that God (in whose hand the wicked now reside) is not—at this very moment—as angry with them as he is with those he is now tormenting in Hell, and who—at this very moment—feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath.

5. At any moment God shall permit him, Satan stands ready to fall upon the wicked and seize them as his own.

6. If it were not for God's restraints, there are, in the souls of wicked men, hellish principles reigning which, presently, would kindle and flame out into hellfire.

7. Simply because there are not visible means of death before them at any given moment, the wicked should not feel secure.

8. Just because it is natural to care for oneself or to think that others may care for them, men should not think themselves safe from God's wrath.

9. All that wicked men may do to save themselves from Hell's pains shall afford them nothing if they continue to reject Christ.

10. God has never promised to save mankind from Hell, except for those contained in Christ through the covenant of Grace.

Did you know that we can see a lot of parallels between The revival back in Nehemiah's day and now. It was a nation that was divided, there was racial conflict, a drug culture, and things were very dark. But when things are really dark, God’s light can shine brightly. In Nehemiah 7 and 8, we see the wall finished and Ezra the priest reading from the Book of the Law, which led the people in a great revival.

Here’s how we too can have a personal spiritual revival. 

Practical Principles for you:

  1. We must understand the Word of God. As we read the Word of God, He will come to us through Scripture. Read the Bible and you will know the will of God. We get biblical principles from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit will help us know how to apply them. Immerse yourself in the Bible.
  2. We must be convicted by the Word of God. Sometimes we have a false idea of how Scripture and even church should impact us. We want to be blessed, never convicted. We want to be happy, never sad. There needs to be that conviction of the Holy Spirit, who will show you what your sin is so you can repent of it and then be truly happy and rejoice.
  3. We need to obey God’s Word. God in His Word gives us instructions for how to live. He says that if you do these things you’ll find happiness. The Lord is not going to force-feed you. His Word is in front of you, and it’s yours to enjoy, or yours to reject.

An awakening is coming to life from the dead. It’s getting right with God, being born again, and then when needed we each can enjoy a personal spiritual revival: 

May I ask you: At any time was your faith stronger before? Repent. Change your direction; do a U-turn. Repeat. Do the first works quickly and as Jesus says, “Remember from where you have fallen” (see Revelations 2:1–5).

Need Some Wise Applicable Actions?

The children of Israel had a great revival In Nehemiah's time. We've had four great awakenings in our land that spawned revival. What if we had a revival that spawned a Great Awakening? Pray -- let it happen to you and then through you to the church and to the world around you!

Lots of rebuilding happened as a result in Nehemiah's day. Did it last? Well, for a time. Revivals don’t last forever. They have a beginning, middle, and end. A revival is a little bit like an explosion, like when you start your car. But sometimes we lose sight of it and need another revival, and then we need another one. So it’s good to go back and say, “Lord, revive me again and again.” We need constant revival.

Somebody once asked the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody why he said that he needed to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. He said, “Because I leak.” When it comes to being refilled with the Spirit, being continually filled and walking in the Spirit, being controlled by the Holy Spirit.. having a passionate relationship with the Lord, we have to continually refresh our passion via believing prayer in worship, because we all have a slow leak.

Take the proper steps to re-energize our faith, believer. Yes, faith, fervor and fidelity renewed in the Lord. 

See the Restoration in Nehemiah chapter 7. You can have a personal spiritual revival. You can be restored. 

When we look back at the late 60s and the early 70s, there's a lot of parallels between then and now I've read a lot of interesting articles lately about this, noting, how similar they actually are, it was a nation that was divided back then, racial conflict, a drug culture, things were very dark, but listen to this when things are really dark, God's light can shine brightly.

Look around you in the USA. I think we're due for another great awakening that spawns a Jesus restoration. One that revives the Church - a spiritual revolution! 


Hear this description from the 1971 edition of Time, Magazine talking about the spiritual awakening (called the Jesus Movement). 

"Jesus is alive and well, and living in the radical spiritual fervor of a growing number of young Americans who have proclaimed an extraordinary religious revolution. In His name.. their message. The Bible is true, miracles happen, God really did so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten, Son, Bibles abound whether they’re the cherished covered King James Version or scruffy back pocket paper back, they're invariably well-thumbed and often memorized. There is an uncommon morning freshness about this movement, an appointed hemisphere of hope and love along with the usual rebel zeal. But their seems more sincere than a slogan deeper than the first-dating sentiments of the flower children, and what startles the outsider is the extraordinary sense of joy they are able to communicate.” 

Church historians say that was Americas last great awakening and revival. Would you like to hear a definition of real revival? 

Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented, He shows up himself.” ~ Source Unknown

What is an authentic outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Why would this be needed? Many people are still unregenerate, and some believers are in need of spiritual restoration. 

"Now 37% of GenX individuals falsely believe that Jesus Christ was not sinless or is God." ~ Jack  Graham 

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up." Psalm 71:20-21

Another word for revived is restored. Ever seen an old classic car restored? God is an expert at restoring people's lives. What exactly did David mean when he asked God to “restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12)?

- What is the meaning of Psalm 51:12?

How can I see my own soul restored?

- It's a good topic, is it really possible for me to receive spiritual or other kinds of healing or restoration by faith when my soul has been wounded or hurt?

How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)?

- How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? Does God always bring about healing and restoration after His judgment?

There is a distinction between two words that are often used interchangeably. Revival and awakening. Here's what it comes down to American needs a spiritual awakening, the church needs a revival and awakening is when God's sovereignly pours out his spirit and an impacts a culture, that's what happened in the Jesus Revolution.

That's what happened in multiple spiritual awakenings in the history of America predating us being established as a country, but a revival, That is what the church must experience. It's when the church comes back to life when the church becomes what it was. Always meant to be, it's a returning to passion.

I think many times. We overly mystify the idea of revival and we don't really need to. Because in other word, I could use to revival is restoration, restoration restoring, something to original condition. You know, if you see a cool old car, cruising down the road restored to showroom condition, you think.

Wow. That's Beautiful. Someone took time to do that. That can happen in a life as well, not just when the model first comes out, but you can keep it beautiful and keep it in perfectly restored, condition, That's what the church needs. There was man named R.A. Tori who was a friend of D.L. Moody. Anyway R.A. Torrey, (a preacher, an evangelist) traveled around and spoke a lot and led a whole lot of people to Christ.. made an interesting. 

Torrey said, “I can give a prescription that will bring a revival to any church or community or any city on earth. Here's what  R.A. Torrey says you need to do. 

1.)  Get a few Christians. They need not be many, and get them thoroughly right with God. This is a prime essential. If this is not done the rest of what I say will come to nothing. So number one, get some people who are willing to get right with God. 

2.) Let them bind themselves together in a prayer group to pray for revival until the heavens open and God comes down. 

3.) Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use as He sees fit and for winning others to Christ. 

That is all, that is sure to bring revival to any church, or community. I've given this same prescription around the world writes Torrey. It has been taken by many churches and many communities and in no instance has it ever failed. And it cannot fail!”

Sure, let's each just get out there and do some practical things that Torrey recommends because we've never needed an outpouring more than we do today!

"A revival does two things. First, it returns the Church from her backsliding and second, it causes the conversion of men and women; and it always includes the conviction of sin on the part of the Church. What a spell the devil seems to cast over the Church today!" ~ Billy Sunday

Let's review get right with God. Get together with other Christians and pray for revival. Number three: Make yourself available to God, especially in winning souls. See, we can do that. 

If all the sleeping folk will wake up,
If all the lukewarm or cold folk will fire up,
If all the dishonest folk will confess up,
If all the bitter or sour disgruntled folk will sweeten up,
If all the discouraged folk will seek n cheer up,
If all the depressed folk will look up,
If all the estranged folk will make up,
If all the gossipers will shut up,
If all the dry bones would shake up,
If all the Christian soldiers would stand up...
then we can have an awakening revival!

Look up, fess up, pray up, cheer up, revive up, believer! Lift up your voice!

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” Psalm 85:6

Now we know that an outpouring of the Spirit (a spiritual awakening that also revives) is up to our sovereign God. 

Though many committees or individuals might try.. you and I can't organize it, but we indeed can agonize for it. We can earnestly pray for it. Yes, today we can call upon the Lord to send it once again. 

Got questions about agonizing in prayer?

How does prayer work.. how does God go to work?

What is listening prayer? Are listening prayers biblical?

What is the purpose of prayer?

What are the different types of prayer? .. and what if I am a bit repetitive in prayer? 

Is there evidence that God answers prayer?

 What is a prayer vigil?

Why is daily prayer so important?

What is zealous fervent prayer (James 5:16)?

A fresh clean start,
new beginnings too
not just for today . . .
but, all year through.

Putting behind the past,
pressing into the goal
loving God with all . . .
your heart, mind and soul.

New beginnings,
a fresh new clean start
when Jesus becomes
the beat in your heart.

Letting Him change you,
from the inside out
pushing back your fears
giving Him your doubt.

A fresh clean start,
is waiting for you . . .
oh, the mighty things
in you God can do! 
~  Deborah Ann Belka

The Bible says, “Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.” Isaiah 52:1

“For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” Ephesians 5:14

"As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake." Psalm 17:15

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

When will you arise from your sleep?  Let the nations be aroused and come to the Lord. Focus on the Lord and remember what can happen with a national or a personal revival (see Nehemiah 8)! 

“..so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”  1 Thessalonians 5:6

“Awake, O north wind, and come, wind of the south; make my garden breathe out fragrance, let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden and eat its choice fruits!”  Song of Solomon 4:16

"Awake, my glory!" Psalm 57:8 

But how might I be awakened you might ask. Easy (click here). 

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Who needs naiveté, gullibility, compulsivity or impulsiveness with their decision making? None do. Not me, not you  -- God has a better way for you to choose.

Can you think of some people that have acted naïve, compulsive or in some other gullible it lame way? Turn, change, there can be another outpouring. You can enjoy a personal spiritual awakening or personal revival in Christ! If you don't think you can believe God for your whole nation, then believe Him for yourself! You have a part in His good plan. If He can get it to you, He can get revival anointing and truth through you! 

How about people in the Bible who struggled? Nehemiah did but believed God--he enjoy a national revival and restoration! A wall was built! 

 It would sadly appear that Josiah was naïve for a season. "He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo. There the archers shot King Josiah, who said to his servants, 'Take me away, for I am badly wounded!'" 2 Chron. 35:21-23

Pete also had to deal with these challenges as well. Impetuous Peter had been self-confident and compulsive at times, but not so much naïve that I can see. He had a zealous heart but grew in wisdom. And God used him in a big way. Religious egotistical king Saul was also compulsive--he was hatefully competitive, jealous and or envious of David's popularity. His pride and rebellion took him down. 

So who else in God’s Book was naïve? Eve in the garden of Eden was--she was deceived and Adam was not deceived but acted stupidly. She was overly trusting before her enemy who was casting doubt on God's word and goodness. Perhaps not really understanding clearly the character of who she was being tempted by. My wife Liney believes that women in general are more easily deceived than men, and that's why the Bible teaches that a elder / pastor is to be a born again spiritually mature growing man. I am not sure on "more easily deceived" because I know many men who are. 

“Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20 nkjv

“The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” Proverbs 14:15–18 nkjv

“He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is [a]impulsive exalts folly.” Proverbs 14:29 nkjv

“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” Prov. 15:2 nkjv

“Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.” Prov. 15:21

Need some more verses on this topic?

Wisdom requires listening to understand rather than merely to respond. Wisdom calls for pre-thinking before you speak or act. 

Why become hasty and miss the way that God has planned for you? Pray, seeking first God's Kingdom and will, yes, as early as you can. Be led by the Spirit even in your planning. Be thinking things all the way through early, living intentionally for God's glory.

“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” Proverbs 18:13 nkjv

“Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet.” Proverbs 19:2 nkjv

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 nkjv

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20 nkjv

Do you wonder about the difference between compulsivity and impulsivity?

Give thanks for the simple things; like a brand new morning, for the coffee she made, for time to pre-think, to inquire of the Father, to pray through on your decisions. Give thanks that God's sheep can hear His voice. Give praise for the sunshine outside your window, and the songs of those sparrows up in that tall flowering crape myrtle as well as in the oak trees. Gullible is overrated. Keep your eyes and ears open today -- 'prove all things; hold fast that which is good' (1 Thess. 5:21). Give praise for the joy you feel and happiness in your heart from the relationship with the One who thought it all up -- who gives this abundant life here real meaning. Breathe in and be empowered by the Lord to adventure some more. Pause to listen to understand rather than merely to respond. Take notice, live for the Blesser instead of for all the blessings and worship acceptably. Why waste time with any other type of adoration? ~ k  

What have you heard about the Brooklyn Bridge? It has a history of being “sold” by con artists. George C. Parker sold  the bridge several times in the early 1900s, luring in potential buyers with seemingly official documentation. Parker would promise that the buyers would make a fortune by controlling the traffic on that bridge. Police had to remove new “owners” when they attempted to erect toll booths.1 

God doesn't want any of his kids to be duped by greedy liars, Rinos, or Liberal crooks (they're often one and the same) to their family's hurt. God doesn't want that to happen to towns, cities, or nations either. Acting stupid or gullible will cause people pain. Naiveté and impulsiveness like with money, schooling or politics is simply foolish.

The many corrupt in the Gov aren't the only ones out to rip you off. 
Christians need to prioritize and get involved in local and national politics because politics is about policies and policies are about the people we care about. If you opt to remain in your comfort zone and not love your family or people then just bury your head in the sand with some religious excuse if you like. Soon we’ll each give an account. Do I love any human, any church, any city, or any nation more than I love God? Nope. Do I care more about who is in the White House than who is in God's house and (more importantly in His) family? Nope.

We must not be quick to believe what your government says just because it's your government saying it.


Q: What kind of person might be fooled into “purchasing” the Brooklyn Bridge?  

Q: What contributes to someone’s being naïve?  

Q: How does someone become less naïve? 

Week 16: Proverbs: Naiveté and Impulsiveness  

Wisdom requires thinking things through and living intentionally.  

Being wise takes intentionality and discernment.  

Q: Based on these passages, what does it mean to be “simple,” and how can we avoid  it? 

Q: What is the opposite of acting foolishly, or as the simple, according to Proverbs?   

These passages all talk about the behavior and mindset of “the simple.” This phrase has  a specific definition in Proverbs. It doesn’t mean people who choose to live a simple life,  such as a farmer or a minimalist, but those who are naïve and foolish, even gullible.2 “The simple believe everything” while the prudent have discernment (14:15). Have you  ever met someone who believed everything he or she heard? Or read on the Internet?  The simple don’t have sense or prudence (8:5). They jump right into things without  thinking. They “inherit folly” (14:18). Because they are naïve and don’t think things  through, folly comes naturally to them as a result. Because they don’t think before they  speak, folly “pours out” of their mouths (15:2). They even enjoy folly because they don’t  know any better (15:21).  

We often think of people who are naïve as innocent, but there comes a point when they  should know better. For Solomon, not knowing better is not an excuse. Those who are  simple have chosen foolishness over wisdom. They do know better; they have chosen  not to listen. Wisdom has been calling them, begging them to learn prudence and sense  (8:1–5), but they have turned away (1:32).  

According to these proverbs, the simple are those who have not made the time and  effort to become wise. They don’t give thought to their steps (14:15) or take time to be  cautious (14:16), and they reject reproof and correction (1:30). They’re quick tempered  instead of taking time to cool down and think (14:17), are complacent, and don’t make  any effort to make things better (1:32). Prudence and sense are things that we have to  learn (8:5); they don’t just come naturally. The truth is that it takes time and effort to  become wise. It’s not easy. It takes studying God’s Word, listening for His voice, and  seeking godly counsel within your church community. Becoming wise also takes learning discernment, self-control and intentionality. If you want to be wise, you can’t just let life  happen to you; you need to choose to follow God’s wisdom.3  

Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident. Jesus said that if we want to be His disciple, we  must take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24–26). We must turn away from  the world to follow Him. You don’t “stumble upon” the path to discipleship. And it  doesn’t happen just by attending church or praying the prayer of salvation. It’s an  intentional decision to go against the flow.  

The “simple” aren’t following Jesus; they’re just going along with whatever feels good in  the moment or whatever everyone else is doing. They aren’t “counting the cost” (Luke  14:25–33) and making the hard decision to trade the things of this world for the  kingdom of God (Matthew 13:44–46). Gaining true wisdom requires making the  intentional choice to follow God’s wisdom rather than the wisdom of the world (1  Corinthians 1:18–25). Going with the flow or following the crowd will only lead to folly. 

Q: How can we develop discernment, or learn to think critically, so we don’t just  believe everything we hear?  

Q: What is the cost of becoming wise?  

Q: Why is it hard to go against the flow? How can we help each other do it?  

The simple are easily enticed by the temptations of the world. 

Q: Why is the simple man easily persuaded by smooth talk?  

Q: What are the differences between the two women depicted in Proverbs 9?  

Both of these proverbs personify wisdom and folly as women calling out to the simple  on the streets, trying to persuade them to come into her home. Of course, this is a  metaphor for wisdom and folly, not literally talking about adulterous women (though  adultery is certainly addressed in other proverbs). The image is of the enticement of  folly versus wisdom. Folly often seems enticing. Folly uses “smooth talk” and “seductive  speech” (7:5, 21). It is “wily” or “cunning” (NASB) or “crafty” (NIV) and dressed to entice  (7:10). Think about when you were young, and friends tried to pressure you into things  you knew you shouldn’t do. They would say things such as “Come on, it’ll be fun!” or  “Your parents will never find out” or “Everybody’s doing it.” They “dressed up” the sin  to make it look good, not telling you that it may cost you your life (7:23). These 

enticements don’t change much as we get older. “If it feels good, do it!” or “What  happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” A fool is easily drawn in by this smooth talk and fooled  by the “dressing up” of the sin. The wise know how to resist or say no. They know to  think about the consequences versus the fleeting pleasure of sin.  

Solomon gave us some vivid imagery to describe what happens to those who are fooled  by these enticements. The young man follows her “as an ox goes to the slaughter”  (7:22) or as a stag or a bird are caught in traps (7:22–23). These last two are images of  being hunted, which is exactly what happens when it comes to enticement to sin. Peter said that Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter  5:8). We are his prey. He is always trying to trap us in sin through his “schemes”  (Ephesians 6:11). The animal that gets caught in a trap is the one that is not looking for  traps. That’s how these proverbs describe the “simple” or the fool.4 It’s not necessarily  that they aren’t smart; it’s that they aren’t wise. Because they don’t know the Lord and  His wisdom, they don’t know to look out for the traps of the Devil, or even how to. 

Speaking of being caught unaware, Jesus spoke about the days of Noah and the days  before His Second Coming. People were just eating and drinking and living their lives; they had no idea what was coming (Matthew 24:37–39). But Noah, who walked with  God and heard His voice and believed it, built an escape. Noah wasn’t caught unaware,  

but only because he knew God and listened to His voice. The way to keep ourselves  from being trapped by sin is to listen to God’s voice, follow His ways, and to always keep  our eyes open looking for Satan’s traps. Peter said to “be sober-minded, be watchful” (1  Peter 5:8). The world is a spiritual battlefield; we have to look out for traps and  landmines (Ephesians 6:10–18). 

Proverbs 9 tells us that both wisdom and folly cry out to the simple with the same  phrase, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here” (9:4, 16). There is a stark contrast  between the kind of women they are. Wisdom’s house is strong and offers a great feast  she has worked hard to make herself (9:1–2). Folly offers stolen water and bread eaten  in secret (9:17). She says it’s sweet and pleasant, but it really leads to death (9:18). This  image of sin is used over and over in Scripture, from the very beginning with Adam and  Eve. Sin looks good but leads to death (Genesis 3:6). The key to wisdom is to know  whom you are listening to. Are you listening to the voice of wisdom (God) or the voice  of folly (Satan’s enticing schemes)? Those who fear the Lord, the wise, trust in His voice  and are not easily enticed by the schemes of the Devil.  

Q: What lies does our culture tell us about sin? How can sin be enticing?

Q: Describe how you could be caught unaware by sin and suddenly find yourself in a  trap. How can you prevent being caught in that trap? 

Q: Why is it sometimes difficult to hear the voice of God over all the competing voices  in the world that cry out to us to “turn in here”? 

Impulsiveness leads to folly. 

Q: What warnings do these verses provide about doing things hastily?  

You may wonder what impulsiveness, or hastiness has to do with naiveté. It may seem like an abrupt shift in topic. But remember what Proverbs said about the “simple" (naïve) – they don’t take the time to think things through. They just let life happen to them often making bad and destructive decisions instead of being intentional about their choices and learning discernment. Do you first inquire of God, do you at times bathe it all in prayer before deciding? Impulsiveness goes hand in hand with that description. Each of these proverbs addresses different ways in which people might act hastily or impulsively:  

• A hasty temper, reacting in anger (14:29; 29:11) 

• A hasty answer, without really listening to the question (18:13) 

• Walking or moving hastily so you get lost easily (19:2) 

• Hastily working rather than being diligent (21:5) 

• Hastening to become rich; get-rich-quick schemes (28:20) 

• Being hasty with your words, not thinking through how to say things (29:20) 

Q: What consequences accompany the behaviors listed in the verses above? 

Impulsiveness is acting or reacting without any thought to the consequences.  Psychological research tells us that people are typically more impulsive when they’re  young and grow more discerning as they mature.5 But Scripture tells us that wisdom is related not to age but to the fear of the Lord (1:7). Young people who know God’s Word have more wisdom and insight than their elders who don’t (Psalm 119:99). Plenty of  older people are quick to anger, hasty with their words, or gullible about get-rich-quick  schemes. It’s not about age, it’s about spiritual maturity (Jeremiah 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:12). It’s about having the discernment to know what God would want you to do and the self control to do it.  

When we take time to think through our decisions instead of acting hastily based on our  desires or feelings in the moment, we avoid making a mess of things. We think through 

a healthy way to work through conflict instead of exploding in anger, which only makes  more conflict. We work diligently for our money instead of losing everything in get-rich quick schemes. We think through how to say things to people so our words don’t hurt others, even by accident. These are all signs of wisdom and maturity, thinking through  our words and actions. In everything, asking ourselves what Jesus would do. 

Q: How have you seen others’ impulsive behavior/words hurt themselves or others? 

Q: What are some practical steps to not being impulsive or acting hastily?

God's kind of wisdom is about inquiring and hearing from Him regarding His will for you. It's about living intentionally. Yes, living wise takes prayer time, intentionality and spiritual discernment. 

Need some verses addressing naiveté and impulsiveness? These are real problems that even reborn believers struggle with.

Have you been compulsive or duped and ripped off before?

"I'll make up for the years.." and "I will restore to you the years.."

"The Lord says, 'I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts...'"

"And I will compensate you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust—my great army which I sent among you. 'You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame." Joel 2:25-26 kjv, tlb, amp

If you’ve ever stood in line to check out at a grocery store, you’ve been targeted for impulse buys right there. Delicious chocolates and candies surround you as you patiently wait to  make your sensible purchases. If you get tired of perusing the delicacies, you may find  entertainment by reading the shocking (and often far-fetched) claims on the covers of  tabloids. Sales of these items depend on the naiveté and impulsivity of consumers.  

Some of us have a tendency to live our lives that way; we make decisions on momentary  feelings and motivations, we consume sensational information as truth and don’t do the  work of taking the time to discern. Wisdom requires that we slow down, think things  through, and make choices that reflect our purpose.  

CHALLENGES: What kinds of things have enticed you personally? I mean things that you know aren’t wise choices that follow what God wants for you? Be honest with yourself about your temptations.  Think through specific times you have been enticed by sin and how you could have  responded differently. Come up with a game plan of your own so that you will know  how to respond next time.  

PRAY: Pray for God to reveal to you any way you are being impulsive or naïve, any way  you aren’t thinking things through or letting life happen to you or responding to  situations without thinking. Think specifically about your relationships. Pray for the Lord  to give you wisdom to know how to live with intentionality and discernment.  

ACT: Memorize Scripture. The way to combat naiveté and impulsiveness is to stop and  think about what God would have you do or say in each situation. This takes knowing  God’s Word. Choose a topic that tends to be a source of temptation for you. Then, using  a concordance (there are plenty online if you don’t own one), look up a few verses  related to that topic. Then spend this week memorizing them so that when you are  faced with that temptation, you can respond with wisdom instead of acting hastily or  without thinking.

Thank you Prestonwood and Ms. Shelley Reeves for all the editing. Do feel free to write me for 5 attributions, anyone.  Facebook.com/shareJesus