Are you being tempted to commit an act apart from God’s design for your life?

When we read David’s instructions to his son Solomon in Proverbs 4:1-9, we recognize that the King of Israel was warning his eventual successor that he would be tempted toward foolish behavior. Wisdom would be his weapon to apply his relationship with God to his circumstances. The Hebrew word for wisdom is chokmah which is the intersection of the vertical (God’s heart) with the horizontal (street smarts). Wisdom delivers us from temptation. The key that unlocks this gateway to God’s protection is humility. When we humble our hearts to the Spirit of God, His wisdom flows through us (see Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).

Our enemy, Satan, is a schemer. However, the Bible exposes his strategy (see 2 Corinthians 2:11). Just remember the fishing analogy: (1) bait, (2) hook, (3) line, and (4) sinker. First, Satan baits us with temptation (see Matthew 4:3). Second, he hooks us in the deceit of dissatisfied desires (see 2 Corinthians 11:14). Third, he lifts the line from the water with the accusation of evil before God and others (see Revelation 12:10). Fourth, he sinks us in destruction (see 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10).

Solomon taught that Satan’s prey is our hearts, mouths, eyes, and feet: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:23-27).

Are you facing a decision where you know what is right, but you are being tempted to do the opposite? Turn to the wisdom of God in Jesus Christ. Run to Him. He will renew your heart and direct your paths toward freedom in a wise choice only He can provide.

Episode 68: Guard Your Heart Against Satan's Schemes from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.