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Proverbs 28:26 - Trust In The Lord.

Proverbs 28:26 (NIV) He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Prov 28:26 (CWR) He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who trusts in the Lord is wise.

INTRODUCTION

For many people, the rugged individualist is a hero. We admire the bold, self-directed men and women who know what they want and fight for it. They are self-reliant, neither giving nor asking advice. What a contrast to God's way. A person can't know the future and can't predict the consequences of his or her choices with certainty. And so the totally self-reliant person is doomed to failure. The wise person depends on God. [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   "Follow your heart," the world advises. Computer mogul Steve Jobs added, "There is no reason not to follow your heart" Rihanna, a recording artist, says, "I always believed that when you follow your heart ... you can never lose." Singer Paula Abdul suggests, "Break the rules, stand apart, ignore your head, and follow your heart." Some even warn that if you don't follow your heart, you'll live a false life and never find happiness.
   But the Bible advises differently. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool," the wise Solomon wrote. Jesus said, "Out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts" (Mark 7:21). In Jeremiah, God says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (17:9). Answering the question, God continues, "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind" (v. 10). Rather than the source of inner wisdom, the heart is most often the seat of worldly desires.
   Thankfully, there's another option! "Whoever walks wisely will be delivered," Proverbs continues. What does it mean to walk wisely? First, you must recognize that God knows your heart and motives better than you do - and that He is the source of all wisdom. In fact, Paul calls Christ "the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). To walk wisely, then, is to trust Christ, following His example.
   For those who choose the wisdom of Jesus, God has a promise: deliverance! The Hebrew word for "delivered" means to be smooth or slippery and gives the idea of escaping. When you walk wisely, following Christ's example, you escape sin and its effects. While your own heart may lead you into sin, Christ's example will lead you toward righteousness.
   Are you wrestling with a decision right now in your life? Don't follow your heart - follow Jesus.
   Dear Jesus, I trust Your wisdom. Help me follow Your ways and deliver me from sin. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

Three Steps to Make Wise Decisions
   We tend to make decisions frivolously, but the Bible gives a simple, workable plan on how to handle things differently. Whether it's about career, marriage, finances, health, children, or the future, here are three principles from God's Word for making wise decisions.
   1. Pray for guidance.
   Before you do anything else, get God's perspective on the issue. Proverbs 28:26 says, "A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God's wisdom are safe" (TLB).
   Have you ever made a foolish decision that you thought was the best thing to do at the time? We all get impressions, but they are just that - impressions. They are not from God. They are from what you ate last night or just ideas that pop into your mind. You need something greater than simply intuition, gut feeling, or "I think." You need absolute truth on which to base your decisions. You need God's guidance, and you get that by praying and asking God for it.
   2. Get the facts.
   According to the Department of Labor, 90 percent of all new businesses fail within the first year, and of those that make it, 90 percent fail within the following five years. Why? Those businesses are based on what I call uneducated enthusiasm. They've got a great idea, but they don't get the facts before they make decisions.
   There is no contradiction between faith and fact, and it is wise to find out all you can before you make a decision. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:16, "Every prudent man acts with knowledge" (ESV), and in Proverbs 18:13, "What a shame - yes, how stupid! - to decide before knowing the facts!" (TLB).
   3. Ask for advice.
   Talk to somebody who's made a similar decision. Talk to friends who know your weaknesses. Learn to ask for advice! Proverbs 24:6 says, "The more advice you get, the more likely you are to win" (GNT).
   It is wise to learn from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others. You don't have time to learn everything from personal experience. You don't have time to make all the mistakes in life. Life is too short to learn everything by trial and error. But you can learn from others' successes, and you can learn from others' failures. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 14:12 - There Are Ways That Seem Right But Lead To Death.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240702-1037.html

Proverbs 3:5, 6 - Trust in The LORD And Lean Not unto Thine Own Understanding.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240328-0852.html

2 Corinthians 5:7 - Live By Faith And Not By Feeling.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211217-0839.html

Psalm 107:20 (ESV) He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Devotional pending.

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/