Sabbath: Words of Wisdom
Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 20:1-30; Cor. 12:14–26; Jer. 9:23-24; Proverbs 21:1-31; Matt. 25:35–40; Proverbs 22:1-29.
Memory Text: Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? (Proverbs 20:6, NKJV).
To some degree (a great degree, actually), we are all products of our environment. Though heredity plays a big role, the values we hold come to us from what is around us — our home, our education, our culture. From infancy we are impacted by what we see and hear.
Unfortunately, what we see and hear isn’t always what is the best for us; the world around us is fallen in every way, and it cannot help impacting us negatively. Nevertheless, we have been given the promise of the Holy Spirit, and we have God’s word, which points us to something higher and better than the world does.
This week we will look at various proverbs and the practical truths they express, truths that if taken to heart and followed can, indeed, help us overcome the negativity of this fallen world and prepare us for a better one.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 21.
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There is a school of thought which places a high premium on experience. In this experience is made a test of true religion. Experience may be valuable up to a point, but is often misunderstood or misinterpreted and therefore unreliable.
In an experience credit may be misdirected or a feel good outcome may give the impression that God’s blessing or favor supports an activity. For instance in a thrilling moment at a major awards ceremony a celebrated movie star may attribute credit and give thanks to God for an award recognizing a profane film. Did God really have a part in the film or the performance of the actor?
Not every good story is a testament to God’s blessing. We cannot trust our senses if only for the reason God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).
When experience is set above God’s word the arch deceiver capitalizes on such an approach and arranges circumstances so as to make an experience appear favorable only to mislead (1 Peter 5:8). Our story cannot be our guide; for it is often biased by the culture or environment which informs our views and values.
Among the last deceptions as the Second Coming draws near will be an emphasis on experience which sets the stage for the eager acceptance of counterfeit miracles (Revelation 13:13; 19:20). Our anchor ought to be in the word of God and only when experience fits it should it be trusted. The question that must be asked of every story or experience is: what is written in God’s word?
Excellent point Hugh.
There's a Brazilian Adventist song that says:
"Don't say that you know Him if you forget Him in every corner
Don't say that you meet Him in your waves of faith rather than in the Word
For if I have the Word I have the truth. In "Thus says the LORD" not on "I think so..."
The truth doesn't have anything to do with us. Why trust in ourselves?
The truth has everything to do with us. It is the truth that sets us free, it is by walking in truth that we become more Christlike and so on. What i'd like to say is that, Truth is not truth because we say it is, and if we believe it or not believe it is still truth! And that is because Jesus is Truth personified. So we can't trust in ourselves but in the man Christ Jesus.
The more I learn about the importance of God's word the more I become so displeased with myself. I do not trust my thoughts feeling or emotions. I must look to God for guidance and understanding. His word is what I want to hide in my heart each day. May God continue to cause the Holy Spirit to lead us into ALL truths.
The movies that we watch, the schools and universities that we go to, the social networks and followers that we attract and the gossiping friends at church that we associate with are a reflection of ourselves.
when I read the word of god, it impact a positive role in my life day by day and night by night, I should say ever day of my life. Without the word of god I am nothing. Gods words teach me how to be wise, it guides me and make me want to tell others about the sweets words of god. Sometimes, I wonder, how some person don't take a time out or make a sacrifices to just read the bible that god wrote of his own words and look in their life what they are doing. The words of god is not only to read, but believe and store is words in your heart and he/she will live eternal live forever, when you meet with him, just read is words and do what he says and you not go wrong if you are wise.