Proverbs 1:23-31
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
This passage is a sober warning against not heeding the wisdom of God. God is offering us wisdom and instruction, is willing to make known to us His thoughts (verse 23). Sounds like a wonderful offer, but instead we often reject and ignore God's advice (verses 24-25), for that avoids having to heed God's reproof (verse 23). God in His justice and kindness will give us what we want, but woe to us who want the wrong thing! When we turn away from God's wisdom and despise his reproof (verses 29-30), we end up suffering the consequences of our poor choices. But that itself can be healing as we experience the bad fruit of our choices (verse 31). Sometimes we need to "play out the tape" (i.e. see the end result) of our fantasies so we can learn the connection between our desires and their consequences.
God, save me from my evil desires.
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
This passage is a sober warning against not heeding the wisdom of God. God is offering us wisdom and instruction, is willing to make known to us His thoughts (verse 23). Sounds like a wonderful offer, but instead we often reject and ignore God's advice (verses 24-25), for that avoids having to heed God's reproof (verse 23). God in His justice and kindness will give us what we want, but woe to us who want the wrong thing! When we turn away from God's wisdom and despise his reproof (verses 29-30), we end up suffering the consequences of our poor choices. But that itself can be healing as we experience the bad fruit of our choices (verse 31). Sometimes we need to "play out the tape" (i.e. see the end result) of our fantasies so we can learn the connection between our desires and their consequences.
God, save me from my evil desires.