Proverbs 7:6-27: "Nothing good happens after midnight."

You can read Proverbs 7:6-27 here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+7%3A6-27&version=NKJV

Devoid: lacking, has less of, failing, in want of, in need of

Understanding: the inner man, indefinite, soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

"Nothing good happens after midnight." In this passage there is a young man, who is out wandering the streets late at night. He has no wisdom, for is he did, he would not be out wandering the streets. He is an easy target for trouble. 

He is void, empty of understanding. He is were he should not be. And what does he find? Temptation. 

Too often temptation finds us when we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet, even if we are exactly where we are to be, doing what we are to be doing.... Satan still temps us. What should we do when we find ourselves being tempted to sin? Is there a way out? Is it really possible to "pass by the harlot, and ignore the temptation." 

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God isfaithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Pastor Nathan Osborne, III shared what to do when temptation comes.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

• 1. Pray out loud. (Draw near, submit to God.) Talk to God. Tell Him what is happening. Tell Him you are being tempted and need His help. Cry out to God! 

• 2. Quote Scripture out loud. (Resist the devil.) Any Scripture. God's Word. (This is one reason why memorizing Bible verses is important!)

• 3. Change your position. (Devil will flee.) Leave the room. Turn off the computer, phone, tablet, TV, music, etc. Get up and MOVE. Get away from the area of temptation! 

Too often we place ourselves in the position to be tempted. We go searching for something to replace wisdom. We listen to the flattering words and smooth talking. We justify in our minds that we deserve to feel good. We have earned it. We have freedom to enjoy. 

Sadly, we learn too late that after giving into temptation we are still empty, and left searching for something to fill the void. The smooth talking just doesn't sound to good anymore, for we have learned the truth—no matter how good it sounds, it is sin. 

"Nothing good happens after midnight." And nothing good happens when we ignore wisdom and go searching for something else. A heart is permeated with a deep sense reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), is the strongest foundation for resisting temptation. That's where the desire to submit to God and resist the devil begins. 

"Nothing good happens after midnight." Yet, even in the darkness of temptation, God is still there and willing to help you resist the temptation. 

Proverbs 7:4, 5: Inner Circle

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words. Proverbs 7: 4, 5

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Sister: figurative of intimate connection

Understanding: the object of knowledge

Nearest kin: intimate friend

Keep: preserve, protect

Immoral: A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, stranger, profane

Seductress: something strange, i.e. unexpected calamity -- strange; harlot

Fatters: smooth talker

Words: speech

Who is in my inner circle? Who do I allow into my thoughts? Who do I spend time with getting to know? Whose company do I enjoy? Who do I allow to give me advice? 

In Proverbs 7:4, 5 there are two choices. Wisdom and the Flatterer. Wisdom gives sound honest advice. The Flatterer simply says what we want to hear, and offers wrong and misleading advice. 

Who is in my inner circle? Wisdom and understanding should be! However, since we all like to hear good things, the easy way out, and things that make us feel good—too often we exchange Wisdom for the Flatterer. 

Remember, Proverbs is all about the VERBS. If I want wisdom to remain in my inner circle, so that wisdom can help me make the right decisions in life, and bring the joys that God has planned—I must remember the VERBS. I must not only "say" but "DO". I can't just say, "Wisdom you are in my inner circle." And then ignore the advice, wise counsel and instruction wisdom gives me. 

Who is in my inner circle? Who am I listening to? Who is giving me advice? 

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, then I will not only "say", but I will allow Wisdom to be in my inner circle. 

Who is in your inner circle? Who are you listening to? Who is giving you advice? 

Proverbs 7:3: Make a Conspiracy!

Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:3

Bind: make a conspiracy, join together

Write: record, engrave

Tablet: stone tablet, table

Heart: memory

Make a conspiracy! Although this is usually a negative, unlawful, treasonous act. The idea is that I am committing to any concurrence in action; combination inbringing about a given result. Wisdom and I have committed, banded together, you have a plan to carry out—together! 

Wisdom, instruction, and knowledge need to not only be joined together on my hands—in action, but engraved in my memory!  Remember, Proverbs 7:1, 2—"in my mind". Wisdom needs to be solid and "etched in stone" in my memories.

Wisdom. Instruction. Knowledge. Get to know them. Conspire with them! Commit to them! Just think what could happen if I daily conspired with wisdom, instruction, and knowledge! WOW! 

As I conspire with wisdom, instruction, and knowledge, it will be engraved on my memory! Awesome. 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then I'll have a strong desire to conspire with wisdom, instruction, and knowledge!

Make a conspiracy with wisdom!

Proverbs 7: 1, 2: In My Mind

My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye. Proverbs 7:1, 2

Keep: observe = follow dictates of prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom

Treasure: hide, hoard, "Treasure Up"

Commands: of code of wisdom

Law: instruction

Apple of your eye: the pupil (of the eye), center

I enjoy music. Usually have music playing no matter what I'm doing. And I find that words, smells, events can easily trigger song lyrics to run through my mind. Often I am amazed that I can recall the words. "I didn't know I knew the lyrics to that song." Yet, because I had been listening to the songs many numerous times, I had "treasured up" the lyrics in my mind.

This is what I am SUPPOSED to be doing with God's wisdom and instruction. If I hear it and read it enough, it will be "Treasured Up" in my mind, so that when I find myself in a situation, I can recall God's wisdom. 

On Sept 13, 2015 I wrote about #TreasureUp (You can read it here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/09/proverbs-27-treasureup.html) 

God has "treasured up" wisdom—it's available for me, whenever I want it. And one keys to put His wisdom to good use is to "treasure up" wisdom in my heart and mind. If I want to but something into action, I must KNOW it. And in order to KNOW it, I must learn it and retain that knowledge. 

In order to accept and want to learn God's wisdom, I must have a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. For when I respect God, I'll want to learn and accept His wisdom and put that wisdom into action. 

What is in my mind for me to remember?