July 18, 2023

“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”prov 28:26 nkjv... It seems a bit of mystery to me that the author of this verse [Solomon] was it seems, walking with the heart of a fool, yet he was one whom the Bible said was (except for Yeshua) the wisest man of all… could we be like him in some ways? Perhaps Solomon was, in his early days truly faithful… but there is the issue of 700 wives, many who had him following their pagan idols… in the end, whom he built pagan altars for.

I think its possible to know truth and not live it, to say and write wise things, but not practice it yourself… what do you think? The basis of wisdom (Torah) itself is useless to the fool who brushes aside the Torah, and thinks the grace of the “new covenant” has nailed it to the cross… Not so, as Yeshua said so in Mat 5:17… as He [as Yahweh] said His Word was forever settled too Ps 119:89. The New Testament also tells us that unless we have a love for the truth, Yahweh Himself will send us a strong delusion, that we would believe the lie… resulting in our destruction. 2 thes 2:10-12 nkjv... Let us not miss the serious message here.

I want to challenge us to let the truth of Yahweh’s Word help us overcome the wickedness and deceptions of our own hearts… His Word tells us:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” phil 2:12-13 nkjv… this is done by “His Word of Truth in us, and the faithful ministry of the Holy Spirit bearing witness to that truth.” But it does not work to our benefit if WE turn our ear [hearing attention and obedience] from hearing the law [Torah]… noted in prov 28:9 above.

I have seen many articles, read many books by “prominent” theologians, and heard many passionate preachings… etc., If one’s ear is turned away, what then? Matthew 7:1-21 is where Yeshua defines much of personal conviction to discipleship and [belief by living and doing] that we need to study and learn from. In verses 21-29 He delivers the best "cause and effect" lesson one could experience… if one takes the lesson seriously.

Dr Daniel Botkin, Gates of Eden Minsitries, has written an outstanding teaching that is of immense value to the “hearing ear.” It is core to understanding the simple point I want to make. We are our own worst enemies… because of our deceitful hearts, and the deceptions that enslave us to our self-constructed hypocritical prisons… I hope you will conclude this devotional by carefully reading Dr Botkin’s short teaching… at this link.

Shalom, John