Devotionals

Destruction from the Lack of Instruction

(If you can't see the full title because you're reading from a phone, it is "Destruction from the Lack of Instruction.")

When we lack knowledge in a certain area, it comes as no surprise that we mess up in that area. For instance, if you absolutely suck at math and you know almost nothing about it, you won't perform well on a math test that's put in front of you.

Now, consider that bit of information in the context of your spiritual life. If you don't know how to avoid sin, put on the full armor of God, what to do in the midst of temptation, or how to put God first, you'll likely struggle in your spiritual life because you've never been taught how to do these things.

Don't be discouraged; all of us face spiritual struggles. A spiritual journey is a walk with God to obtain knowledge and grow along the way. We may face setbacks as we learn, but God is faithful. We're all still growing, and we'll keep growing in Christ as we face trial after trial because of a lack of knowledge (or a test of the knowledge that we have).

In Proverbs 5 (NKJV), the effects of a lack of instruction are illustrated through a metaphor, as a father instructs his son not to fall head-over-heels for an immoral woman. It's easy to recognize the metaphor: a lack of instruction leads to sin. Sin, in this passage, is described using the imagery of an immoral woman. Verses three and four say, "For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword." The last half of verse six continues the metaphor, saying "Her ways are unstable; You do not know them."

Sin, on the surface, appears innocent and sweet. It promises that you will receive all of your desires without God and that you will achieve happiness. It will lure you in, only to leave you feeling bitter and empty inside. Not only will you feel as though there is no hope for you or that you are too far gone to be saved, but you'll also find yourself in a downward spiral because you were lured into the sweet appearance of sin.

Now, consider that you have been taught about sin. You've read the scriptures, you generally know what to do, but you've been straying from God lately. The enemy takes this and uses it against you, appearing to you as desirable, and causes you to fall into sin. You ignored your knowledge in pursuit of finding pleasure for yourself.

God's people in Biblical times faced similar situations. Solomon, one of the wisest people in the Bible, witnessed it and faced similar situations. In verses eleven through fourteen in Proverbs 5, he writes:

11 "And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed,

12 "And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!

13 "I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!

14 "I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation."

Solomon tells us what happens when we run toward sin. We are utterly consumed with it, and it is then that we realize what we've done. We inch closer to the cliff of total ruin and remember all that we've learned, yet didn't put into practice. When we ignore what knowledge that we do have, we fall quickly into pits of despair.

Solomon warns us, though, explaining in the following verses the importance of being steadfast, protecting ourselves against the enemy, and pursuing righteousness.

Proverbs 5:15-23 (NKJV)

15 "Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well.

16 "Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?

17 "Let them be only your own, And not for strangers with you.

18 "Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth.

19 "As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love.

20 "For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress?

21 "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths.

22 "His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin.

23 "He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."

My personal conviction is that Solomon meant for believers to guard themselves in telling them to "drink from our own cisterns," not allowing for any sin to catch us off guard by taking from our "cisterns." In other words, be careful what you allow into your life; those things might taint your spirit! This can include music, certain books and movies, websites, social media, and even people or places.

The last few verses outline what happens when we are steadfast and knowledgeable about what we are to do to protect ourselves. We remain blessed, rejoiceful, satisfied, and loved. However, when we don't, we're no better than the wicked man: tangled in the cords of sin and left to die because of a lack of instruction.

To conclude, simply remember this fact: a lack of instruction will lead you to sin that appears sweet, but leaves you tangled and spiritually dead. It's easy for the enemy to lead us to snares of evil, but when we protect ourselves and guard our hearts, we'll remain safe from the enemy.

Does that mean that we won't face trials sometimes? Tests of our knowledge, setbacks, disobedience, etc.? Absolutely not. We'll face trials just as the wicked do, but because of our knowledge, we won't fall down as quickly as the wicked will.

Today, I encourage you to grow your knowledge of Christ. Rid yourself of the bad influences in your life, and indulge in the peace that God is offering to you. Don't allow the enemy to catch you off guard! If you happen to find yourself in a downward spiral of despair because of sin, know that it isn't the end.

There is hope.

There is peace.

Run to God, get back on track, and grow your knowledge so that you're better prepared for the enemy's next attack.

Remember that while sin may enchant you, it can only bring short-term pleasure. Only God can bring long-term pleasure.

God bless,

N.B

Note: Check out our prayer book! From now on, we'll be adding prayers to go along with these devotionals, the Bible Verses book, and many of our other books! Today's prayer for this devotional is titled "Learning and Avoiding the Snares of Sin." Join us in prayer as we all learn and grow in Christ.

Matthew 18:20 (NKJV): "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." God hears us, and though we may not be able to physically gather, God sees and recognizes that we come together to pray to him.