Chris, may the Spirit grace you with the intent of my words, none to be taken as condemnation but edifying. The beast in revelation has so been misunderstood by the teaching of the carnal mind and the doctrines of man. May the Holy Spirit grace us with his words. Job 18:3 Wherefore are we (all mankind) counted as beasts (carnal minded), and reputed vile in your eyes. Psalms 49:20 (carnal) Man that is in honour (pride),and understandeth not (the Spirit), is like a beast that perish (goes to the grave). Psalms 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee (Spirit of God). Proverbs 9:1-2 Wisdom (by the Spirit of God) hath builded her house (us), she hath hewn her seven pillars: (vs) 2 She (wisdom) hath killed her beast (carnal mind).... Ecclesiastes 3:18 I said in my heart (mind) concerning the estate of men, that (the Spirit of) God might manifest (grace) them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. II Peter 2:12 But these (carnal mind) as natural brute beast, made to be taken an destroyed, speak evil of the things they understand not.... Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beast...The only mammal (beast) that buys and sells is a man. Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom (hath killed her beast). Let him (wisdom) that hath understanding (of the Spirit) count the number of the beast: for it (the beast) is the number of a man (all mankind)....The angel told John not to seal the book. Revelation was just as relevant in Johns (To-day is the day) as it is (To-day is the day). The day (one day) of the Lord that was prophesied by the prophets has been going on now for 2000 years. The beast (all mankind) is judged in Christ ( Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire) and the beast was thrown alive into the lake of fire (Christ), All mankind will eventually be judged in Christ. Gods grace be upon us.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy" ( James 3:17).
Let's consider these pillars as the practical actions or way of life that we are pursuing. We'll also look at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 (the outward expression of wisdom), the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 (the character traits of a wise person), and Peter's list of qualities in 2 Peter 1:5-8 (the spiritual disciplines of the wise Christ-follower).
Comment: I think James is speaking of our "spiritual" house; not actual construction of a house.
In our bodies we are the Temple of God. We should be mindful about what we bring into it (not defile it with other kinds of religion that do not come from the Bible).
Delight the lord at all time. Pray to the lord for understanding, knowledge. And wisdom. And he will direct the path.this world has nothing to other except pain and death.
The LORD gave Solomon great wisdom because Solomon asked for wisdom from God instead of long life, riches, honor or retribution on his enemies ( 1 Kings 3, 1 Chronicles 1). The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: ( Psalm 111:10). This means a holy reverence for God; who he is and our need for his mercy in our lowly sinful condition.
The wisest we will ever be is to believe on the record God that gave us of his Son, Jesus Christ (his sinless life, his sacrificial death on the cross to pay for our sins and his rising from the dead to ascend to the right hand of God his Father).
James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
1 Corinthians 1:17-31 shows us that God has made the wisdom of this world foolishness through the preaching of the gospel. Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Colossians 2 proclaims Jesus Christ (In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.)
Study and meditate on the word of God found in scripture with Holy Ghost guidance to increase your understanding ( Psalm 119:97-107, 2 Timothy 2:15). Also rely on teachers and preachers that are faithful to God's word.
The whole of chapter 9 in Proverbs is to show a comparison between Wisdom & Folly (= foolishness). As you must have read the earlier verses (1 - 12), you saw the traits of one who uses wisdom. Now both Wisdom & Folly are used here in the feminine gender but not to denigrate the female in any way, but in Hebrew, as in many other languages, those words are in the feminine gender. So, Foolishness is seen as Wisdom's opposite & verses 13 -18 demonstrate that.
The imagery of Foolishness is shown as 'a foolish woman'. Clearly, this woman is personified as a harlot as you can see from the following verses in this chapter. Foolishness is the display of simpleness & ignorance (v13); she sits in a prominent position to call out to the simple men to come into her chambers (v14); both the wise & simple men walk by her, but the simple ones turn in because they are attracted by her alluring calls (v15,16); she convinces them that there can be more pleasure from doing wrong or doing things in secret when no one is looking (v17). But Wisdom's final word (v18) is: "But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell": i.e. the simple can't see 'past their noses' (or, see past their heightened sinful desires) to take into account that that "the wages of sin is death" ( Rom 6:23) & all those who give in to her (foolishness), will join the throng of sinners who succumbed to the wiles of the devil.
ALICE NGBE, this particular book of the bible is full of proverbs, most of the things spoken are hidden, 'stolen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant' Example, gossip, lie, adultery, cheat, etc. are sins people enjoy doing and are done in secret, but the bible is advising us to flee because it can lead us to destruction, I believe I tried explaining further thank you
I see and hear many talk about the "fear of the Lord" that fewr is actually reverence, or awe. Some say it is dread and real fear. I think they both miss the point. YHWY does not want us to dread or fear Him. In His love for us, He wants us to fear the consequences of the choices we make for sin. Those consequences take us towards eternal damnation, but more importantly, takes us away from Him.
'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.' this statement is very powerful,
the joy in sinning that takes us to death. anything that is sin is a stolen stuff, lets all of us reflect on bad things we enjoyed doing and now it has landed us in the difficult situation we are in now. lets come to Jesus for He loves us all, it doesn't matter what we've been through. shalom
On the subject of the fear of the Lord: easily understood is having the deepest respect for Him and all His ways. Our God is a consuming fire. He is a jealous God, not to be mocked. Don't be concerned of a person that can take your life, but be VERY concerned with Him that not only cantake your life, but can banish you to hell. He demands the deepest respect, which is the fear of the Lord.
On the subject of fearing God; I've heard many apologizing and trying to deny that our fear should be of dread and terror, like the word really means; but instead water down the meaning to some vague conviction of "hurting God's feelings." But anyone who really knows what its like to be in life danger, or ready to perish for his sins; knows the FEAR of falling into the hands of the living God.
When I started reading the Book of Proverbs I had expect a list of everyday good advice but the Book isn't easy reading.
Humility,against pride,
Kindness against envy,
Abstinence against gluttony,
Chastity against lust,
Patience against anger,
Liberality against greed,
Diligence against sloth.
Let's consider these pillars as the practical actions or way of life that we are pursuing. We'll also look at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 (the outward expression of wisdom), the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 (the character traits of a wise person), and Peter's list of qualities in 2 Peter 1:5-8 (the spiritual disciplines of the wise Christ-follower).
Comment: I think James is speaking of our "spiritual" house; not actual construction of a house.
In our bodies we are the Temple of God. We should be mindful about what we bring into it (not defile it with other kinds of religion that do not come from the Bible).
9:12 For thyself - Thou dost not profit me but thyself.
9:14 At the door - Watching for occasions of sin.
9:15 Go right - Who are going innocently about their business.
Delight the lord at all time. Pray to the lord for understanding, knowledge. And wisdom. And he will direct the path.this world has nothing to other except pain and death.
The wisest we will ever be is to believe on the record God that gave us of his Son, Jesus Christ (his sinless life, his sacrificial death on the cross to pay for our sins and his rising from the dead to ascend to the right hand of God his Father).
James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
1 Corinthians 1:17-31 shows us that God has made the wisdom of this world foolishness through the preaching of the gospel. Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Colossians 2 proclaims Jesus Christ (In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.)
Study and meditate on the word of God found in scripture with Holy Ghost guidance to increase your understanding ( Psalm 119:97-107, 2 Timothy 2:15). Also rely on teachers and preachers that are faithful to God's word.
"fear of the LORD", "kowledge of the holy"
The imagery of Foolishness is shown as 'a foolish woman'. Clearly, this woman is personified as a harlot as you can see from the following verses in this chapter. Foolishness is the display of simpleness & ignorance (v13); she sits in a prominent position to call out to the simple men to come into her chambers (v14); both the wise & simple men walk by her, but the simple ones turn in because they are attracted by her alluring calls (v15,16); she convinces them that there can be more pleasure from doing wrong or doing things in secret when no one is looking (v17). But Wisdom's final word (v18) is: "But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell": i.e. the simple can't see 'past their noses' (or, see past their heightened sinful desires) to take into account that that "the wages of sin is death" ( Rom 6:23) & all those who give in to her (foolishness), will join the throng of sinners who succumbed to the wiles of the devil.
I would appreciate any help in understanding these versus.
Thanks
Donna
the joy in sinning that takes us to death. anything that is sin is a stolen stuff, lets all of us reflect on bad things we enjoyed doing and now it has landed us in the difficult situation we are in now. lets come to Jesus for He loves us all, it doesn't matter what we've been through. shalom