Godliness Guards The Path Of The Blameless, But The Evil Are Misled By Sin

PROVERBS 13:6
“Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:6‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/pro.13.6.nkj

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We all have choices to make and can choose both good and evil.
However, blameless living safeguards your life.
At times our circumstances can lead us to tell that little white lie that seems like it will make all the difference. But the truth is, their is no such thing as a “little white lie”.
A lie is a lie regardless of one’s motives, even if it is said to be kind, or to protect someone’s feelings, or to receive that government benefit that will make all the difference to your financial situation.
Even if it will make the difference between whether you can put food on the table for your family or not, it remains a lie.
We justify ourselves, even convincing ourselves that God made that extra provision; but the truth is, when one lies regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem, we become separated from God and will be left to our own devices to succeed.
He doesn’t actually leave you, for He promised He would never leave us (JOHN 14:15-18), but His Spirit retreats down into our spirit and remains silent within.
It feels like we are alone in the wilderness.
But He never leaves us, and remains silent, separated from our flesh, quietly doing a good work from within to convict a change of heart.
Furthermore, it opens a door to the devil.
He is legalistic, and no matter what our intent, he will use sin to get in and torment.
Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬
The devil has access to a Christian’s soul through his sinful flesh.
He cannot touch one’s spirit, for the Holy Spirit joins with the believers spirit and is made perfect.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬, ‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
To suffer for Christ brings honour to the whole body, but to suffer because of sin brings shame upon the whole body (1 CORINTHIANS 12:26).
The devil is never far away, he is looking, listening, and setting discreet traps for you, and he will pounce on your every mistake.
Therefore, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
You may believe your actions were good, but if they are technically sin, they will let the devil in and you will suffer for it.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭19‬ ‭NKJV
When we trust God and walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit, He will make away, even where there’s no way. Walking in the flesh may bring some temporary successes, but because of our sinful nature, ultimately we are destined fall (GALATIANS 5:16-26).
Every good choice opens doors for other opportunities of good, while evil choices set the pattern for more evil.
From tiny acorns comes mighty oaks; your little white lie will cause you to lie and lie again, simply to cover up your previous lie. Like a snow ball rolling down hill, it will get bigger and bigger, gaining power until it comes to crashing end.
Telling yourself your lie was to keep the peace or simply to save someone’s feelings is lying to yourself.
We are so good at justifying ourselves, but sin is sin and it will let the devil in.
Therefore, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, “”Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
But be warned, ““The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Our deceitful heart being a part of the flesh will operate to satisfy the lust of the flesh; it will fill your mind with lies to justify your selfish ambitions and those little white lies may even seem to come from God.
But the truth is, God never lies or makes excuses for sin; not even in lack or hunger or pain.
If one is tempted into sin, it came from within. Therefore, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Jesus said, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:30-34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, fix your thoughts on things not of this world, but things above,and seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all, not some, but all will be added to you.
Each decision you make to walk with God will bring a greater sense of order to your life.
It opens the door for God to help. But every decision to disobey opens the door to the devil and will result in torment, confusion and destruction.
Right choices reflect your integrity.
Obedience safeguards and brings security.
Therefore, put your trust in God. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.