Read Online The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs by Debbi Bryson - Free Book Online
Authors: Debbi Bryson
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described in the proverb, we are become trapped and snared. Whether it’s the chocolate cake on the counter or the R-rated movies on your TV, or the bottle of alcohol in a cupboard, it only takes one moment of weakness for us to “cross the street.” It’s like a magnet; the closer we get, the harder it is to resist.
What’s God’s advice? “Flee . . . youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22, NKJV ). Shake the magnetic pull by turning around and walking away.
Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!
One final word to us as mothers and friends: sometimes we allow something questionable in our homes or lives because we feel it will never tempt or trap us. But we must remember that a weak friend or a vulnerable teenager might use our liberty as an excuse to cross a dangerous line they can’t easily resist. I urge you to adopt Paul’s advice in Romans 14:21: “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.” That is truly love and wisdom in action.
One Year Bible Reading
Exodus 21:22–23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23
February 6
Seduction
The topic of today’s proverb is seduction. It is a warning call not to be swayed and lured by temptation. Look down that path before you step one foot in that direction. Oh, the grief that would be spared if we thought through where that path of temporary pleasure would end up. Stop and ask yourself what kind of damage it would do to your marriage, to your kids, to your Christian witness, to others who have looked to you as an example.
Listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.
Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.
PROVERBS 7:24-27 ( NKJV )
So now let’s look honestly at two emotional paths that can lead us as women to a crash landing of sexual sin.
At your office, emotional affairs start with sharing personal information and negative feelings about your husband with a man in the office. Then you meet for coffee, then for dinner—and then danger!
You bump into an old boyfriend and exchange e-mails. Stirring up old emotions can open a can of worms and lead to a secret life and fantasies. It starts as an escape and becomes a trap.
Let the red flag of wisdom stop you before you even get started.
Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!
Men are visual. Whether it’s our intent or not, they notice when a woman’s clothes give hints of sensuality. It’s not fair to them to be careless. Just between you and me, there are a lot of women who need to lean over in front of the mirror before they go out wearing certain tops. A skimpy blouse, a short skirt, tight pants—they send the wrong message.
You don’t have to look frumpy to be discreet. Let’s have some honest discussions with the young girls in our life. And let’s do a little wardrobe reality check ourselves.
One Year Bible Reading
Exodus 23:14–25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27
February 7
There’s No Excuse
Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an
What’s God’s advice? “Flee . . . youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22, NKJV ). Shake the magnetic pull by turning around and walking away.
Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!
One final word to us as mothers and friends: sometimes we allow something questionable in our homes or lives because we feel it will never tempt or trap us. But we must remember that a weak friend or a vulnerable teenager might use our liberty as an excuse to cross a dangerous line they can’t easily resist. I urge you to adopt Paul’s advice in Romans 14:21: “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.” That is truly love and wisdom in action.
One Year Bible Reading
Exodus 21:22–23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23
February 6
Seduction
The topic of today’s proverb is seduction. It is a warning call not to be swayed and lured by temptation. Look down that path before you step one foot in that direction. Oh, the grief that would be spared if we thought through where that path of temporary pleasure would end up. Stop and ask yourself what kind of damage it would do to your marriage, to your kids, to your Christian witness, to others who have looked to you as an example.
Listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.
Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.
PROVERBS 7:24-27 ( NKJV )
So now let’s look honestly at two emotional paths that can lead us as women to a crash landing of sexual sin.
At your office, emotional affairs start with sharing personal information and negative feelings about your husband with a man in the office. Then you meet for coffee, then for dinner—and then danger!
You bump into an old boyfriend and exchange e-mails. Stirring up old emotions can open a can of worms and lead to a secret life and fantasies. It starts as an escape and becomes a trap.
Let the red flag of wisdom stop you before you even get started.
Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!
Men are visual. Whether it’s our intent or not, they notice when a woman’s clothes give hints of sensuality. It’s not fair to them to be careless. Just between you and me, there are a lot of women who need to lean over in front of the mirror before they go out wearing certain tops. A skimpy blouse, a short skirt, tight pants—they send the wrong message.
You don’t have to look frumpy to be discreet. Let’s have some honest discussions with the young girls in our life. And let’s do a little wardrobe reality check ourselves.
One Year Bible Reading
Exodus 23:14–25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27
February 7
There’s No Excuse
Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an
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