“The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 13:14).
TEXT — Proverbs 13:1-17
Message
The counsel that comes from a truly wise person is always precious. If there is any strand of truth that runs through the whole book of Proverbs, it is wisdom – its virtues and the peril of the neglect of it. To be sure, the wisdom spoken of here is not the worldly type that is carnal and devilish. It is wisdom from above. It emanates from the fear of God; it seeks His glory and the good of men. It produces only good fruits. The moral fragrance of such wisdom spreads through today’s text. For instance, it takes wisdom to heed sound parental instructions, control the tongue, exercise diligence and discretion, resist the get-rich-quick temptation, be humble and keep to God’s word.
Truly wise people draw insight from God’s word as from a fountain that is not depletable. They derive such spiritual and moral vigour that enable them to keep steady on the narrow way that leads to eternal life. They are equipped for victorious living. Thus, they are spared the sad experience of getting trapped in the snares of death. Life is full of ups and downs from which none may escape. However, there are so many “snares of death”, which those who foolishly walk in their own ways and forsake God’s word fall into. These are “foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9).
As you pursue your goals today, would you rather put a premium on “the principal thing” (wisdom from above) and be guided by it than to rely on carnal wisdom? True wisdom leads to ultimate victory, peace and fulfilment. Humbly ask it of God this moment and He will give it to you.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Inspiring