Self-counsel. It will get you into trouble every time. Left to ourselves, we can rationalize just about anything…even sin. Here are some examples of self-counsel that did not end well.
Daily Devotion
Daily Devotion
Road Rules: Bold and Brazen
Here’s how the Proverbs describes the action of a wicked person in contrast to the person who is upright.
Road Rules: Man Plans. God Establishes.
During a tough economy, his company was making money hand over fist. While others were struggling, he was thriving. His success was not surprising. The shrewd businessman had a long string of profitable years. He was wealthy…and he liked his money. The only thing he liked better than the money was making more money.
Road Rules: Integrity’s Security
One problem with the consequences of sin is that you never know when the consequences will show up. The apostle Paul says that the sins of some people are clear and evident, “going before them to judgment” while “the sins of others appear later” (1 Timothy 5:24). But whether the consequences of sin show up now or later, make no mistake, “your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Road Rules: Destroyed by Duplicity
Several years ago, a southern governor announced his presidential campaign, which was widely endorsed by conservative Christians. They felt they had their candidate until…news came out about the governor’s year-long affair with a former television reporter from Argentina. It turned out that the conservative governor was leading two lives.
Road Rules: Right Plans
Plans are like nouns; they involve people, places, and things. Our personal plans always impact others. The time spent carrying out a plan means time away from people in your life. The money invested in a plan leaves a smaller amount to invest in other things. The energy you put into one thing means less energy for something else. Today’s passage says it this way:
Road Rules: Treasure of Righteousness
Have you ever heard of Bernard Lawrence Madoff? Maybe you know him better by Bernie Madoff. He confessed to his sons on December 10, 2008, that the asset management arm of his securities investment firm was a giant Ponzi scheme or, as he put it, “one big lie.” That “big lie” cost his clients $65 billion. But before it was exposed, the “big lie” provided a lavish lifestyle for the Madoff family.
Road Rules: God’s Prevailing Plans
God made our hearts to dream. Big dreams! Great things! Let’s be honest. What Christian says, “I want to barely be saved, live a go-along-to-get-along Christian life, and make it into heaven by the skin of my teeth.” The true believer wants to do meaningful things for a great God.
Road Rules: Light of Dawn
When we belong to God and have been declared righteous by our trust in the finished work of Christ, he directs our paths. Sometimes, the paths may not be fully illuminated at first. The way may seem confusing. Fear covers the trail like dense fog.
Road Rules: Supreme Pursuit
We established in yesterday’s passage that the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. Fear of God is not cowering in a corner; it is a reverent awe. We acknowledge that God alone is God, and we worship him; that is, we honor him as worthy of our praise and gratitude in every area of our lives. From the position of reverent awe, we strive to acquire wisdom.
Road Rules: Living in Awe
Lives are at stake. Fools on the road ignore the rules of the road. And that is how it is with all of life. When you ignore life’s road rules, you will end up doing some foolish and dangerous things.
Our passage today reminds us that the beginning of true knowledge and understanding begins with a proper awe and reverence for God.
Road Rules: The Proverbs
Road signs…they are everywhere. Did you know 500 federally approved road signs are in use today? They tell us when to stop, slow down, and yield. Some tell us to change lanes or take an exit. Others tell us the road we need to take is closed, or the road we don’t need to take is now open.