The Return of the Nephilim – Dun, Dun Dun, Dun… – NUMBERS 13 – (Part 1of 2)

Recently, I received a thought-provoking, and challenging comment from the post, Names and Roles of Angels (Part 2). Original post link – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-gA, to which I replied in the post, Female Angels??  Giants?? – Replying to a Reader’s Comment – ANGELS [6], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-h7.

Since that post a follow-up question was asked about the reappearance of the Pre-Flood Nephilim mentioned in Numbers 13:33.  I was puzzled and intrigued by this question, and thought…

IF ALL THE NEPHILIM DIED DURING THE FLOOD, HOW IS IT THAT THEY SHOWED UP 1,000+ YEARS LATER IN CANAAN??

     noahsarkpeopledrowning    PRE-FLOOD

Store_Hulk_ClassicPOST-FLOOD

 

The Hebrew word used to describe the Nephilim occurs in only two verses of the Old Testament,

  1. Genesis 6:4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
  2. Numbers 13:33We even saw giants, Nephilim, there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

From the book of Numbers, we find that the descendants of Anak are part of the Nephilim. Ummm!!

What’s interesting is that there is no description of the Nephilim other than what the scouts, the men sent to explore the land of CanaanNumbers 13:1-2, reported back to Moses in Numbers 13:30-32.

The scouts described the people they saw as strong and huge…

30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

31 BUT the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 

 

SO WERE THESE THE SAME NEPHILIM WE READ ABOUT IN GENESIS 6?

The word Nephilim does not describe a race of people. In the Bible, races of people were classified by their founding male ancestor. So, the Anakim, not the Nephilim, were descendents of Anak.

Also the term Nephilim (giants) in Gen.6:4 has an interesting history. Nephil means fallen one, (im at the end of any Hebrew word changes it to a plural, nephillim-fallen ones.) This does not mean giant, or monstrous in size but someone who possesses super human ability in strength and intelligence, not stature. This word is taken from its root word of nephal and nephel which means to fall. In 250 BC. the Rabbis that wrote the Septuagint, which is a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, changed the word Nephillim to giant.  This is the word most translations currently have (giant in Greek gigentes implies earth born men of great stature Num.13:33 ). This was a significant change which has obscured the meaning even to today. While some contend the Nephilim were still around in the time of Numbers, the giants were not the same species of the Nephilim of Genesis 6. Since the Nephils recorded in Genesis were not Giant in size, but were “giant” in strength, intelligence and ability. – http://www.letusreason.org/Doct11.htm

 

A CONTRADICTION OF SCRIPTURE?

Since the Old Testament describes Nephilim both before and after the flood, if the Nephilim were a race, this would contradict the rest of Scripture.  However, the Bible clearly says that there were only eight survivors of the flood.  That very day Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives. With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal—domestic and wild, large and small—along with birds of every kind. Two by two they came into the boat, representing every living thing that breathes. A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them. – Genesis 7:13-16

     noahs family

All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died.  God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. – Genesis 7:21-23

    noahark

Also if you look at Genesis 10, which records the descendants of Japheth, Ham, and Shem – Noah’s sons, and there is no mention the Nephilim, post-Flood. – Genesis chapter 10 link – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2010

 

SO WHY DID THE SCOUTS REFER TO THE PEOPLE THEY SAW IN CANAAN AS NEPHILIM?

<Look for Part 2 – The Return of Nephilim – Dun, Dun, Dun, Dun… coming soon>

The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. – Deuteronomy 29:29

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Are Angels and God the Same Thing??? – ANGELS [3]

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:19

————————————

Angel followers??

Back in the 1960’s a New Age movement began calling itself, “the Age of Aquarius”.  Along with this movement came angel followers. The leaders of the movement led people to believe that angels could see all , hear all, and know all.

Ummm, do those characteristics that sound familiar to you?  Perhaps, similar to all powerful (omnipotent), all present (omnipresent), all knowing (omniscience)?

Perhaps they sound like characteristics used to describe God?

So the New Age Movement was basically saying that angels were God???

The angels of the Age of Aquarius were thought to be either messengers of God, or spirits of deceased humans who could impart learning and understanding from “the other side” on us “earthlings”.  They watch over every aspect of our lives, and death, everything. They loved us. Ummm…

Does this sound just a little bit too good to be true?  Maybe so, but is sure sounds appealing.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone did love you that much?  Watched over you.  Cared about every aspect of your life.  That nothing was too big or too small for them to deal with.

arbeiter_engel

       jobbigsmall

In fact, they would welcome the opportunity to help you.  They would want to communicate all their knowledge freely to you, no strings attached.  They would be willing to guide, protect, and direct you. That they would give you a “guide-book” to help you navigate through life as an “earthling”.

                   earthlingbook

If you were thinking as you read, “Hey, we do have someone who promises to do all those things”.  You’re correct, we do.  But it’s not angels, it’s GOD, the creator of everything, including angels.

Keep in mind, that the “created” will never see more, hear more, or know more than the one who created it

So are angels real, or are just another made-up human idea seeking to fill the void God has put in hearts each one of us?

                  heart

As you may know, angels (and demons) are mentioned in the Bible, and it is from this source that we will be learning about them.  Not from unstable, unfounded speculation or superstitions, but from the stable and trusted Word of God.

           OpenBible_small

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Angels ??? – ANGELS [1]

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the fortress of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  –  Psalm 27:1

 

Some time ago I asked my children, “What would you like to learn more about from the Bible?”  My son answered, “angels”.

As a result of his request, angels will be the topic of my next few posts.

When you think of angels, does this painting from the famous Italian painter Raphael come to mind?

A bit of trivia – These two angels, we typically see alone, however, they are actually part of the painting, Sistine Madonna. Raphael was commissioned by Pope Julius II, in 1512, to create an altarpiece of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child for the newly built Benedictine Monastery of San Sisto in Piacenza, Italy.  It was the last painting he did in his own hand before his death in 1520.

       cherubs                       rafael_sistine_madonna_grt

 

Or, do you think of Jacob’s Ladder, from the vision Jacob had in Genesis 28:12?
…and as he (Jacob) slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.                                                                                                  
(I was unable to determine the artist of this painting.  If anyone knows, could you please write it in the comments section?  Thanks 🙂  )

             angels_on_stairway_to_and_from_heaven

 

Or, do you think of angels as great warriors?

        warrior_angel_v3_by_designertc-d46yriu

 

Or, ever-present protectors?

        angelssurrounding

 

Or, perhaps guardian angels?

           guardian-angel

 

Or, maybe as your conscience?

         conscoienceangel

 

Or, cupid?

        Cute-cupid-valentine

 

 

When it comes to the depiction of angels, you can see that there are a variety of interpretations.

 

Let’s dive into the Word of God together, and see what God tells us about angels.

 

 

            diver

 

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So Many Choices, How Can I Choose?? – PROVERBS 5 [7 out of 7]

The person without the Spirit can’ t understand the truths that come from the Spirit of God. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

 

Verses 21-23 wrap up Proverbs 5:
21   For the LORD sees clearly what a man does,
       examining every path he takes.
22   An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
       they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23   He will die for lack of self-control;
       he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

What I particularly like about Solomon’s advice is that he is a straight-talker.  You don’t have to read between the lines to understand his message (see bold print).

Solomon points out clearly that it’s the choices we made that define the path we’re on today.  We weren’t randomly teleported to where we are now.

             star-trek-teleporter

If we take the time to reflect on our past choices, using the gift of reasoning God gave only to people, we would be able to see that, “I did _____ in this situation, choosing to do  _______, and ______ , and the result was _______.”  Hind sight is 20/20 after-all. 🙂

Each choice we make takes us down a different path.  Some great, some a learning experience, and some destructive. We’re continually making choices. We’re never stagnant.

              choosing-the-right-strategic-path

For example –  I chose to look down, although quickly, at a text while driving, and don’t see that the car in front of me slowed up to let a family of geese pass, and I hit them.

gesse            fender-bender

These warnings from Solomon in Proverbs Chapter 5, , and others we read about in the Bible, are there because God knows we struggle with all the choices that bombard us. If this was not an issue, God wouldn’t spend so much time emphasizing, and re-emphasizing the potential irreversible emotional, and physical consequences of going our own way.

I mean seriously, isn’t it hard enough trying to pick out the “right” tube of toothpaste at the grocery store?

             toothpaste

Won’t it be nice to be able to KNOW which toothpaste would give me those bright white teeth? Wouldn’t it be nice to KNOW which choice would give me a rich and satisfying life?  – John 10:10  

Thankfully, we can KNOW the “wise” choice.  Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  –  Matthew 7:13

   Enter-in-at-the-narrow-gate-copy-w

Make a choice today to follow God’s ways, and ask God into your heart, see The Cornerstone… tab in the menu.

(To read all the posts from Proverbs 5, click Proverbs 5 link under Categories in sidebar, or scroll down if viewing on mobile version)

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God – Keeping Sexual Purity “Real” – PROVERBS 5 – [6]

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.  Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor…  –  1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

————————————————————————

15 Drink water from your own well—
    share your love ONLY with your wife.
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
    having sex with just anyone?
17 You should reserve it for yourselves.
    Never share it with strangers.

18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
    Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
    Let her breasts satisfy you always.
    May you always be captivated by her love.
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
    or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

Solomon doesn’t hold anything back in these next few verses of Proverbs 5.  Can you believe this is God giving us these intimate/detailed guidelines?

That’s our Creator.    Smiley-face-1600x1200-wallpaper-775678.jpg

He tells it like it is.  He keeps it real.  He knows our hearts, He knows all people, No one needs to tell him what mankind is really like. – John 2:24-25, He knows our weaknesses.  He warns us because He loves us and wants to protect us.

Although He doesn’t force us to choose His way, He gave people freewill. He doesn’t want us to feel hopeless and confused.                                                                                                                                                  confused

The promise God gave the Israelites, 3,000+ years ago, is true for us today, as well.  Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, (pleading, begging, my add) that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!  –  Deuteronomy 30:19   

                           life or death    

What a powerful and hopeful verse!!

God wants us to be aware that our actions have consequences, both positive and negative.

  • Would I be a good parent if I didn’t tell my children that “doing” drugs is harmful to themselves and others?
  • Would I be a good parent if I told my children that having sex outside of marriage is nothing more than a “good” time, with no physical or emotional repercussions?
  • Would I be a “good” parent if I simply let the culture drive my children’s decisions, so they could experience “real life”?

If we, sinful people, know how to give good gifts (protection and warnings, my add) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him (who follow Him, my add).  –  Matthew 7:11

We might not want to believe this, but we’ve all experienced the fact that we can’t change other people.  Even if the advice, support, and guidance we’re giving them is right on target, some people would rather touch the fire to be sure it’s hot, rather than listening and heeding the advice of those who have already been burned.

                   burned hand

 As Solomon writes in the Book of Ecclesiastes, History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. There’s nothing new under the sun. –  Ecclesiastes. 1:9

I urge and remind myself, and others –

DON’T just listen to God’s word.  DO what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  –  James 1:22

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CAUTION, DANGER, STAY AWAY!!! PROVERBS 5 [4]

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18

 

AVOID THE IMMORAL WOMAN  
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
    listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment,
    and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
    and her mouth is smoother than oil.
4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
    as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
    her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 For she cares nothing about the path to life.
    She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.
7 So now, my sons, listen to me.
    Never stray from what I am about to say:
8 Stay away from her!
    Don’t go near the door of her house!
9 If you do, you will lose your honor…
    

Proverbs 5 is titled, Avoid the Immoral Woman.  You’ll also notice, throughout chapter 5 that  Solomon refers to, my son.  Although it appears that the warnings of chapter 5 are just for boys/men, it applies to girls/women, as well.  Guys certainly can be smooth-talkers and flatterers in an attempt to seduce (entice into sexual activity) girls –  v.3 lips sweet as honey and mouth smoother than oil.  But at the same time, girls may choose to dress provocatively in an attempt to seduce guys, leading to sin – But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. – Matthew 5:28

Solomon says again with emphasis in v.8 –  stayaway
Otherwise, the result – v.9a – You will lose your honor

The surest way to protect yourself from getting caught up in sexual immorality (sex outside of marriage) is, v.8 – DON’T go near the door of her/his house.

dangerkeepoutdoor

You could take that to mean, in the literal sense, don’t go “home” with them.  Or, in the figurative sense, the “door” meaning to approach in conversation, put yourself in a vulnerable position (alone, one-on-one), etc.

Both of the above scenarios are assuming that you have found yourself in a tempting situation. A situation where you suspect the person you are with, or you yourself, may be tempted to be sexually immoral.

Naturally, it is ok to interact with people in a conversation, or hang out at friend’s houses.  But, for your own “protection”, and accountability,  it’s a good idea to hang out in a group versus one-on-one.

strength in numbers

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Is “Sex” Glamorized in Our Culture? – PROVERBS 5 – Introduction (b) [2]

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.  –  Hebrews 13:4

 

 

Many people may think that the Bible is just a book of rules,     Rules-ROH                        or a storybook for kids.       storybook for kids

Unfortunately, because of these, and other, misconceptions, people don’t think that the Bible pertains to them and the struggles that they face everyday, in the “real” world.

One of the greatest struggles people face today is sexual sin.  I believe people do realize that some of their sexual “choices” are wrong.  And do sense that their choices are not healthy emotionally or physically.  Yet, because our culture, media, etc. tends to glamorize “sex”, the “envelope” is continually being pushed, “My people have become lost sheep.  Their “shepherds” have led them astray and turned them loose in the mountains.  They have lost their way and cannot remember how to get back to the fold.” – Jeremiah 50:6

As a mom, I feel the pain and heartache God expresses for people, through the prophet Jeremiah. Unfortunately, people take what they believe is an “innocent taste”, while failing to realize the long-term implications of their choices.                                  

                   apple                      adam and eve

For example, from “puppy love” in the 70’s, on shows like the Brady Bunch                                         – Marcia Brady and Davy Jones

ht_davy_jones_brady_bunch_nt_120302_wblogTO

            wolf                         50

<see my post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-cJ&gt;

With these sexual “experiences/opportunities” becoming more and more common place, , it is easy for people, ourselves and our children, to be led further and further from God’s Ways. For those who guide these people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion. – Isaiah 9:16

God tells us, and I take this to heart

You MUST WARN each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God (His ways, His guidance, His grace, His mercy, His protection, His love… – my addition) – Hebrews 3:13

On the surface our culture’s obsession with “sex” may seem alluring, in reality it’s all an illusion.

GobletIllusion_500     A goblet?  Or two people looking at each other?

 

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Love is in the Air!!! – PROVERBS 5 – Introduction (a) [1]

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like those who do not know God and His ways. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

 

We are currently in the month of February.  A month often associated with Valentine’s Day. The day when sentiments of amor especial entre buenos amigos (special love between good friends) are exchanged,

                     dora-valentine-boots

and intentions of “like” are bravely shared with another.     givingvalentine

And this year, on Valentine’s Day, the movie, “Fifty Shades of Grey”, will be released taking “like”, to a whole nother level.  From the innocence of exchanging valentine cards, to a young woman’s “innocence” stolen by lust and perversion.

Are both of these examples of love?  Is one “good”, and one “harmful”?  Does God, our Creator, have any thoughts on the subject of love?

We will be looking at Proverbs 5 for wisdom on the dangers of sexual immorality.  But before we do, let’s look at the way God defines “love” in the Bible.

 

“LOVE” IS DEFINED IN FOUR DIFFERENT WAYS IN THE BIBLE

  • STORGE  –  this type of love refers to natural, familial love, parents, children, and extended family members.
  • PHILOS  –  this is the type of love a person would have for a friend.                                          Philos is part of the words philosophy (“love of wisdom”) and philanthropy (“love of humanity”). It describes loving another person like they were your brother or sister.  Philos love can be a bit persnickety (a bit fussy).  It could be equated with the phrase, a “fair-weather friend” – A friend who is only a friend when circumstances are pleasant or profitable. But at the first sign of trouble, these “friends” take-off.  Since phileo love involves feelings of warmth and affection toward another person, we do not have phileo love toward our enemies. However, God commands us to have love for everyone.  This love is called agape love.
  • AGAPE  –  this is the type of love of God has for His son, Jesus, and all people.                       Agape is a sacrificial love.  Agape love is based on our behavior and actions.  It is act of our will, a choice we make. It is not based on how we feel towards another person/people.  Although positive feelings can follow after we show this kind of love to others.                                                                                                                                                              When we have agape love, we seek to put other’s well-being ahead of our own. Agape love is the love that God commanded all people to have towards all people.  Because of our sinful nature, this type of love does not come naturally to us.  This kind of love can only be given to us by God, For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.  –  Romans 5:5
  • EROS  –  this type of love means to have a desire for or longing for.                                                   Eros is part of the word erotic.  It is referred to as erotic/selfish love, and is focused primarily on sensuality and self. Eros love is based on the “feelings” we have for another person. Eros is often the first stage of a romantic relationship, and is based on the physical traits.                                                                                                                                                                       Erotic love, in and of itself, is not sinful.  However, because erotic love focuses on sensuality and self, erotic love can quickly become porneia  –  the Greek word for “sexual immorality” (the root of our word pornography).  Porneia covers the gamut of sexual sin (adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, etc.)                                                                                                                                                              When eros love is shared between husband and wife, it can be a wonderful thing.  In fact, the Bible has an entire book about the blessings of erotic, sexual, love within marriage.  It can be found in the Song of Solomon, in the Old Testament.   Unfortunately, when eros takes place outside of marriage, it becomes distorted and sinful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Bible calls this form of eros, sexual immorality, and warns us – flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.1 Corinthians 6:18  When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures… – Galatians 5:19

< The information on the four types of love was adapted from types of love.org and gotquestions.org >

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Are You Attempting to “Do Life” on Your Own???? – PROVERBS 4 [1 OF 1]

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

___________________________________________

Click on this link http://biblehub.com/nlt/proverbs/4.htm to read Proverbs 4.

Many of the verses may seem similar to what we’ve learned in Proverbs 1-3, (See Categories in sidebar to read previous posts).

I’ve highlighted a few key verses from this chapter below.

 

6   (IF YOU) DON’T turn your back on wisdom,

              turn-from-god                                    

      (THEN) for she will protect you                                                                               

                          keep-calm-and-i-ll-protect-you

       (IF YOU) Love her, and (THEN) she will guard you.

                  angelssurrounding

  Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
     And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

8   IF you prize wisdom, (THEN) she will make you great.
     (IF YOU) Embrace her, and (THEN) she will honor you.

  guy with trophy                       boy hugging bible

14  DON’T do as the wicked do, and                                                                                                    DON’T follow the path of evildoers.
15  DON’T even think about it;
      DON’T go that way. Turn away and keep moving.

                                         guy walking

18  The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
       which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19  BUT the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
     They have no idea what they are stumbling over. (They don’t even realize that they are on a           destructive path because the path is not lit with knowledge and guidance from God’s Word)

              car-on-dark-country-road          VS.        lighted path

23  Guard your heart above all else,
      for it determines the course of your life.   

                         castle with heart

26   Mark out (set goals, have a plan) a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27  DON’T get sidetracked; (following the latest fads or people’s “great” ideas)
keep your feet from following evil.

                       straightpath

There is no good reason for us to attempt to “do life” on our own.  God loves us and wants us to have a rich and satisfying life – John 10:10

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:1

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Which Way to Turn? Which Way to Turn??? – PROVERBS 3:21-32 [6]

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

 

21  My child, DON’T lose sight of common sense (applying experience, knowledge) and                  discernment ( good judgement based on experience and knowledge = wisdom)
Hang on to them,
22    For they will…
        1. Refresh your soul.
            They are like jewels on a necklace.
23    2. They keep you safe on your way,
        3. Your feet will not stumble.
24    4. You can go to bed without fear;
        5. you will lie down and sleep soundly.

25  You DON’T need be afraid of sudden disaster
      or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the
26   1. Lord is your security.
       2. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

27   DON’T withhold good from those who deserve it
       when it’s in your power to help them.

28   If you can help your neighbor now, DON’T say,
       “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

29  DON’T plot harm against your neighbor,
      for those who live nearby trust you.

30  DON’T pick a fight without reason,
      when no one has done you harm.

31  DON’T envy the oppressor (someone who dominates or inflicts stress on someone)
       or copy their ways.
32  Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but
      1. He offers His friendship to the godly.

In the above verses you will see a series of DON’T(s), and the results of heeding those warnings. (See words in bold print for DON’T(s), and underlined numbers for the results).

Remember these principles when faced with making a decision that falls into the “gray” area.  Recalling AND Applying God’s Word will clear the “debris”, and enable you to see the “wise” choice.  (As you may notice, the “wise” choice is in the murky water.  Look closely.   It’s often hard to see until it’s been filtered out with God’s Truth, leaving the “wise” choice clearly visible.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                  glasses1

                                    grayarea                                                              

Now that we know all the positive results that come from following God’s guidance, hopefully the next time we find ourselves at a crossroads, we’ll have a good idea which path to choose.

                                    crossroad                                      be lucky tote good bet idea

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