On Felicity and Adverstity

   "Beware of beholding too much the felicity or misery of this world; for the consideration and earnest love or fear of either of them draweth from God. Wherefore think with yourselves, as touching the felicity of the world, it is good; but yet none otherwise than it standeth with the favour of God. It is to be kept; but yet so far forth, as by keeping of it we lose not God. It is good abiding and tarrying still among our friends here; but yet so, that we tarry not therewithal in God's displeasure, and hereafter dwell in hell with the devils in fire everlasting. There is nothing under God but may be kept, so that God, being above all things we have, be not lost. 
   Of adversity judge the same. Imprisonment is painful; but yet liberty upon evil conditions is more painful. The prisons stink, but yet not so much as sweet houses where the fear and true honour of God lacketh. I must be alone and solitary; it is better so to be, and have God with me, than to be in company with the wicked. Loss of goods is great; but loss of God's grace and favour is greater. . . . It is better to make answer before the pomp and pride of wicked men than to stand naked in the sight of all heaven and earth before the just God at the latter day. I shall die by the hands of the cruel man; he is blessed that loseth this life, full of mortal miseries, and findeth the life full of eternal joys. It is pain and grief to depart from goods and friends, but yet not so much as to depart from grace and heaven itself. Wherefore there is neither felicity nor adversity of this world that can appear to be great, if it be weighed with the joys or pains in the world to come."

Reformer and Martyr John Hooper , Bishop of Gloucester, in a letter penned on January 21, 1555 from inside Queen Mary's prison, shortly before he was burned to death on February 9. Taken from Five English Reformers, by J.C. Ryle, pages 69-70.

In Fierce Combats Against the Devil. . .

"But I, God be praised, have learned out of the Holy Scriptures, and by experience in my trials, temptations, and fierce combats against the devil, that this article of Christ's humanity is most sure and certain; for nothing has more or better helped me in high spiritual temptations, than my comfort in this, that Christ, the true everlasting Son of God, is our flesh and bone, as St. Paul says to the Ephesians, chapter 5: 'We are members of his body, of his flesh and bone; he sits at the right hand of God, and makes intercession for us.' When I take hold of this shield of faith, then I soon drive away that wicked one, with all his fiery darts." -- Martin Luther, from Tabletalk,#186.

Get Wisdom -- Post 7

Proverbs -- Chapter 7

I spent less time perusing this chapter than any of the previous six. I spent less time not because the chapter is less important, but I think because its message is more readily plain to me -- Stay away from loose women.

Solomon reminds us in vs1-2 that we must treasure the truth for it is our life. The truth he has in mind on this occasion is the truth regarding the relationship between men and easy women. The remedy for us men is not found in resisting their enticements. The remedy is found in not being around to be enticed. This is exactly what we see in the New Testament in regard to such situations. The way we fight sexual temptation is not to resist, but to flee (1 Co 6:12-20). This is quite a startling picture. The idea of sin-fighting is normally of a warrior standing fast and fighting with all his might against the enemy of his soul (The Apostle Peter says our fleshly lusts wage war against our souls --1 Pe 2:11. That sounds a lot like Pr 7:27). The fight is often waged by prayer (See Ep 6:10-20 and Mt 26:36-46, for examples). But when the issue is sexual temptation, the idea is of the warrior running for his life. This is how God means for us to battle this particular enemy, like Joseph did (See Ge 39).

The simple truth is that the strongest most mature Christian man, if he repeatedly puts himself under the influence of seductive women, will lose that battle. Some men, if even in the situation once, will lose. You know yourself. Act accordingly, and er on the side of safety.

The picture of the victim in Proverbs 7 is of a man who tries to resist but refuses to flee. The woman continues to pursue him (v10-20). She is persistent, and so wears him down, which she could not have done if he were not occupying her space (v6-9). Now weak and worn, he breaks -- "All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter" (v22).

I believe that the seductress is alluring because of powerful desires residing within men, and because of the craftiness of some women. The truth is that men want to be loved on and made to believe that we are physically desirable. Steve Camp wrote a song years ago that says, "When you're crying for love, you're crying for God". True. But our corrupt and twisted hearts, when they won't find rest in Him, will seek for it elsewhere, most often in the arms of a woman.

In addition, seductive women are seductive for a reason. Solomon says they are "wily of heart" (v10). They prey on our weaknesses. And they have powerful weapons that appeal to all of our five natural senses. We see their beauty (v10). We taste their kisses (v13). We smell their perfume (v17). We hear their words (v21). Then we touch their bodies (v22).

Make no mistake men, these women are often "compelling" and "persuasive" (21). They are crafty, and work to cause our senses to overwhelm our minds. So what's the answer? Stay away from them. Do not hang around and so become impressed with them. Flee. Avoid them. They war against your soul.

Get Wisdom -- Post 5

Proverbs -- Chapter 5

We should notice again, from v1, that we receive wisdom from outside ourselves. We do not become wise by looking within. This is also true in salvation. Our problem is not outside of us so that we can solve it by looking within ourselves. Our problem is within (sin) and the solution is without (Jesus). This runs contrary to popular ways of thinking.

We also realize that humility is required to become wise or to be saved from God's wrath. To receive what comes from outside of us includes our acknowledging that we are missing something that we cannot produce. God gives wisdom (See 2:6); and God grants salvation (Jon 2:9; Ep 1-2:10; Ja 1:18, etc).

Much of this chapter is a warning against sexual immorality. God speaks to us of its causes, consequences, and cures. I want to mention only one of the cures because of it's prevalence throughout Scripture, and that is the recognition of the final judgment of God (v21). Later, in Ec 12:13 -14, Solomon puts it this way, ". . .Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Jesus spoke regularly of this (See Mt 10-12 for examples).

As I think of the warnings of Father given in Proverbs 5 my mind turns to the weakness of men, the power of sluts, and the cost of giving in. But I also think of the provision of God (vs18-21; See also Mt 5:27-30 & 1 Co 10:12-14). Being attentive (vs7-8), being disciplined (v23), loving our spouses (vs15-19), and fearing God (v21) are all required for a successful battle against temptation.