Proverbs 22:3

[sushilp3585]

Could you guys explain this verse? I am having a hard time understanding. I read some commentaries for this verse and still did not understand. I also watched the channel on YouTube that I usually watch for verse studies, but he does not cover this verse. Thank you in advance.

 

[sushilp3585]

Well I think that at this point, only you know the desires of your heart. So ask yourself what are the desires of your heart. Because we know that God gave to us the desires which we have for anything in this life. So if God gave you the desires of your heart then you have to take a step towards them. The way that He will fulfill your desires for you is by you surrendering all and ask for His direction in everything. I don't think God would leave you hanging if you asked for Him to make happen what should happen to be within His will. You have not because you ask not.

You may not understand it, you may not be able to see how could such things happen. You may feel like how Abraham felt! Go where?! And do what?! (I'll tell you when you get there!) ...and Abraham trusted the Lord so he went on the journey. Abraham obeyed, and now has high standing in his new station!

The Lord says, pray without ceasing. That means every little thing talk about to him, and I kid you not you will begin to be able to hear Him.

God's word comes to us in two forms. The Logos which is the written word, and through Rhemas which is His spoken word. Like for example, you ever when reading your Bible, you read a verse or passage that just seems to speak to you? It sorta just jumps off the page at you and you can immediately relate it to a circumstance in your present life? My Brother, that is called receiving a Rhema from God. That is His still small voice that speaks to you.

And when you pray, remember that, prayer is not a monologue. That is to say, it is not a one sided conversation. Prayer is a dialogue, so when I pray, I pause and listen to whatever pops into my head. Might be words, might be a scripture, but it will make sense in your prayerful conversation. That is two ways God speaks. You must believe it.

Hard at first but gets easier and you eventually pick up on little things, like...that sounds like how the Lord talks, that's not how I think. It was God speaking. Lord help our unbelief.

To answer what my heart desires, I desire to go back to the states. I do not like it here really. I do not like to be around family because they are negative and do not feel comfortable going over their houses during their "religious holidays". They refuse to understand and say "it is okay, nothing bad will happen". But if they cannot do something because their religion says they cannot do it, they expect others to respect that. I will give you an example. I went to...i guess my nephew's? wedding party (I put ? because it is a distant relative. He is my cousin from my grandfather side) and my other cousin asked me if I wanted a beer. Seeing as nothing wrong with having one beer, I asked him to bring one and they did. After I finished, they insisted that I have another. Refusing because one was enough for me since I did not want to get drunk being a lightweight, being a bit chilly outside and seeing that the wedding party was outside, they insisted that I have another multiple times. Eventually they left me alone. However these things are what irritates me about this culture. I am sure that it is like that everywhere, however and thankfully, I never experienced that.

With that in mind, I also feel that maybe God called me here to build a church as well which is another conflict because I do not really want a business. I know I am here to serve God and in time, he will work with me on that, but that is where my heart is.

In reference about you talking about Rhema, yes, I have experienced it. I also used to wait and talk with God like you mentioned but stopped after posting a question on here and suggested against it, at least the reply did. I do not remember what I prayed about but I had asked the question which I got from a post on Quora and suggested that I ask who died for my sins since Satan cannot and will not acknowledge that. However, even with asking that question, he replied to the question and it was the wrong answer (from a demon or Satan).

I do not know how to transition this statement so I will just write it as my mind speaks to me lol. I believe I have laid everything on God's feet. At least the daily things and not things in the future i.e., career, courage, etc. Things that I am called to do once I am fit to do. I do not think I am fit now because I do not know how to love, full of anger, addicted to porn, etc. I believe these things are not Godly and how can I help them when I have troubles of my own that I cannot take care of. I am reminded of a story that I just watched yesterday where a Calvery pastor admitted to watching porn and commiting adultery on the story of Saeed, the Iranian that was imprisioned for being a Christian and accused of abusing his wife. I do not want to be that sort of Pastor.

In any case, I think it is best if I write down what I pray for. Again, I do not wait and seek the Lord after my prayer like I use to. I did have some luck with it before, but that does not mean it was proper. I believe I wrote a testimony here saying that the Lord spoke to me with why I am so angry because I had the same dream over and over again like the story of Jacob, the one that was imprisoned in Egypt and help the Pharaoh translate what his dream was. Here is my prayer through out the day:

10 am prayer
Heavenly Father, hallow be your name.
Except the offering of my spirt so that you may guard my heart (before I use to say "so that you may guard the inappropriate thoughts that are murderous and adulterous (Matthew 5:21 and 27) that come to my mind and guard my words so that I do not speak your name in vein or say any inappropriate words")
May your kingdom come
Use the offering of my spirit to accomplish your will that you have planned for me

2 pm prayer
I come to pray to ask for these blessing gifts:
I ask for a changed heart so that I may be led by the spirit and not the flesh.
Secondly, I ask that you give me the wisdom of forgiving others for their trespasses and wisdom of love.
Third thing that I ask for is the strengthened of my faith (have the capability to trust God when I do not see his works like how I am now).

4:30pm
Forgive me for my sins as I forgive my trespassers (I ask for forgiveness of what my sins are that day)

6pm
Father, you know that my flesh is stronger than my spirit. Therefore I ask that you not let me be tempted and ask that you deliver me from the evil one.

That is what I pray everyday. Any suggestions?

 

[Edward]

To answer what my heart desires, I desire to go back to the states. I do not like it here really. I do not like to be around family because they are negative and do not feel comfortable going over their houses during their "religious holidays". They refuse to understand and say "it is okay, nothing bad will happen". But if they cannot do something because their religion says they cannot do it, they expect others to respect that. I will give you an example. I went to...i guess my nephew's? wedding party (I put ? because it is a distant relative. He is my cousin from my grandfather side) and my other cousin asked me if I wanted a beer. Seeing as nothing wrong with having one beer, I asked him to bring one and they did. After I finished, they insisted that I have another. Refusing because one was enough for me since I did not want to get drunk being a lightweight, being a bit chilly outside and seeing that the wedding party was outside, they insisted that I have another multiple times. Eventually they left me alone. However these things are what irritates me about this culture. I am sure that it is like that everywhere, however and thankfully, I never experienced that.

With that in mind, I also feel that maybe God called me here to build a church as well which is another conflict because I do not really want a business. I know I am here to serve God and in time, he will work with me on that, but that is where my heart is.

In reference about you talking about Rhema, yes, I have experienced it. I also used to wait and talk with God like you mentioned but stopped after posting a question on here and suggested against it, at least the reply did. I do not remember what I prayed about but I had asked the question which I got from a post on Quora and suggested that I ask who died for my sins since Satan cannot and will not acknowledge that. However, even with asking that question, he replied to the question and it was the wrong answer (from a demon or Satan).

I do not know how to transition this statement so I will just write it as my mind speaks to me lol. I believe I have laid everything on God's feet. At least the daily things and not things in the future i.e., career, courage, etc. Things that I am called to do once I am fit to do. I do not think I am fit now because I do not know how to love, full of anger, addicted to porn, etc. I believe these things are not Godly and how can I help them when I have troubles of my own that I cannot take care of. I am reminded of a story that I just watched yesterday where a Calvery pastor admitted to watching porn and commiting adultery on the story of Saeed, the Iranian that was imprisioned for being a Christian and accused of abusing his wife. I do not want to be that sort of Pastor.

In any case, I think it is best if I write down what I pray for. Again, I do not wait and seek the Lord after my prayer like I use to. I did have some luck with it before, but that does not mean it was proper. I believe I wrote a testimony here saying that the Lord spoke to me with why I am so angry because I had the same dream over and over again like the story of Jacob, the one that was imprisoned in Egypt and help the Pharaoh translate what his dream was. Here is my prayer through out the day:

10 am prayer
Heavenly Father, hallow be your name.
Except the offering of my spirt so that you may guard my heart (before I use to say "so that you may guard the inappropriate thoughts that are murderous and adulterous (Matthew 5:21 and 27) that come to my mind and guard my words so that I do not speak your name in vein or say any inappropriate words")
May your kingdom come
Use the offering of my spirit to accomplish your will that you have planned for me

2 pm prayer
I come to pray to ask for these blessing gifts:
I ask for a changed heart so that I may be led by the spirit and not the flesh.
Secondly, I ask that you give me the wisdom of forgiving others for their trespasses and wisdom of love.
Third thing that I ask for is the strengthened of my faith (have the capability to trust God when I do not see his works like how I am now).

4:30pm
Forgive me for my sins as I forgive my trespassers (I ask for forgiveness of what my sins are that day)

6pm
Father, you know that my flesh is stronger than my spirit. Therefore I ask that you not let me be tempted and ask that you deliver me from the evil one.

That is what I pray everyday. Any suggestions?

No wonder you're having so many difficulties. Look up these scriptures and read them.

We know that the heart is deceitful above all things. Jerimiah 17:9
We are not to allow ourselves to be conformed to this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2

And we are supposed to guard our hearts, as you have already pointed out.

This is not something that you can pray to God to do for you. If you are the Bride of Christ, you have made yourself ready. Revelation 19:7

So how do we guard our heart and make ourself ready?
Easy, stop sinning. Stop watching porn. You are working against yourself.


What you think about is what you become. What you think about and dwell or meditate upon, starts dripping into your heart and makes up who you are. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)

So a continual reading of His word every day and thinking about those things will drip into your heart and it will overflow the contents of your heart cup (your cup runneth over!) purging out the evil desires and moving closer towards having a pure heart towards God.

21 days for a heart purge is what Iv'e heard. If you commit to not watching porn for 21 days and inputting the word of God into you at the same time, at the end of 21 days the porn addiction will be gone. You would have been transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Not watching it alone is not enough or else it will still be in your heart. You must replace what is in your heart from new thoughts and meditations about our Lord and his word. You have to purge your heart Brother. And pray more.

 

[for_his_glory]

So do you think I am not giving all of my hurt? This is not to attack you to say that I have done that, which I believe I have. I am just trying to truly understand what piece is missing. Also, if it is not too much of trouble, could you paraphrase what you prayed that day? That way, I sort of have a template. Thank you for your response and pray that I get similar results as you did. By the way, and I do not know if this is appropriate to say or not, but if you guys would have told me to share my story to get this help sooner, I would have shared lol. However, better late than never.

My friend, in no way am I saying you are not giving your all as how would I even know. It could be that you are not giving Him time to answer you possibly as we always want things in an instance and it doesn't always happen that way.

There was no certain prayer, but just me finally getting down on my knees humbling myself surrendering to Christ years of hurt, anger and pain from everything I had been through that I suppressed all my life. It was basically just talking to Him and He talking to me when I was done as I kept silent to hear Him speak. All I know it was daylight when I got on my knees and it was dark outside when we were done so I was on my knees for quite as I was determined to put my mind to rest.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

New International Version
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

I believe there are tons and tons of meanings to this verse. The passages of the bible are meant to be one verse solves many things in life through guidance.
Bible versions help with understanding.
I believe in the natural sense, that it means be honest in all types of dealings. To be simple minded is to be like a child, a child is honest most of the time, and makes themselves known as doing something wrong, although there are exceptions to that rule.
We should take refuge in Christ, the danger is lack of spiritual precepts and Godly direction.
I see both sides of this verse as something of good quality.

 

[sushilp3585]

No wonder you're having so many difficulties. Look up these scriptures and read them.

We know that the heart is deceitful above all things. Jerimiah 17:9
We are not to allow ourselves to be conformed to this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2

And we are supposed to guard our hearts, as you have already pointed out.

This is not something that you can pray to God to do for you. If you are the Bride of Christ, you have made yourself ready. Revelation 19:7

So how do we guard our heart and make ourself ready?
Easy, stop sinning. Stop watching porn. You are working against yourself.


What you think about is what you become. What you think about and dwell or meditate upon, starts dripping into your heart and makes up who you are. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)

So a continual reading of His word every day and thinking about those things will drip into your heart and it will overflow the contents of your heart cup (your cup runneth over!) purging out the evil desires and moving closer towards having a pure heart towards God.

21 days for a heart purge is what Iv'e heard. If you commit to not watching porn for 21 days and inputting the word of God into you at the same time, at the end of 21 days the porn addiction will be gone. You would have been transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Not watching it alone is not enough or else it will still be in your heart. You must replace what is in your heart from new thoughts and meditations about our Lord and his word. You have to purge your heart Brother. And pray more.

Couple of things I do not understand. First of all, when you say "continual reading of his word everyday", what exactly do you mean? I do bible study between 30-60 mins depending on how long the bible study is everyday. Also, if I am to do extra read of the Word of God, what verses would I read? Also, what do you mean by meditating the Word of God?

 

[sushilp3585]

My friend, in no way am I saying you are not giving your all as how would I even know. It could be that you are not giving Him time to answer you possibly as we always want things in an instance and it doesn't always happen that way.

There was no certain prayer, but just me finally getting down on my knees humbling myself surrendering to Christ years of hurt, anger and pain from everything I had been through that I suppressed all my life. It was basically just talking to Him and He talking to me when I was done as I kept silent to hear Him speak. All I know it was daylight when I got on my knees and it was dark outside when we were done so I was on my knees for quite as I was determined to put my mind to rest.

When you say you listened for an answer, was it just after you prayed like how Edward said it a couple posts back when he replied to my first reply to him?

 

[Edward]

Couple of things I do not understand. First of all, when you say "continual reading of his word everyday", what exactly do you mean? I do bible study between 30-60 mins depending on how long the bible study is everyday. Also, if I am to do extra read of the Word of God, what verses would I read? Also, what do you mean by meditating the Word of God?

I just mean read it everyday. For yourself and alone though. Still you do your corporate study but this is one on one, just you and God there.

Meditating on the word of God is thinking about it, what you just read, what it seemed to be saying to you, how it could apply to your life in some fashion. Now in scripture it says that the Holy Spirit is our teacher and will lead us into all truth. So if you don't understand what you just read, ask the Holy Spirit, what are you trying to say to me Lord? That's how I read it, prayerfully.

 

[sushilp3585]

I just mean read it everyday. For yourself and alone though. Still you do your corporate study but this is one on one, just you and God there.

Meditating on the word of God is thinking about it, what you just read, what it seemed to be saying to you, how it could apply to your life in some fashion. Now in scripture it says that the Holy Spirit is our teacher and will lead us into all truth. So if you don't understand what you just read, ask the Holy Spirit, what are you trying to say to me Lord? That's how I read it, prayerfully.

So am I supposed to read certain scriptures pertaining to my sins like pornography? Or just the Word in general along with my morning bible study and group bible study?

 

[JLB]

So pertaining to my anger issue, it is saying to stay away from anger?

Also on the flip side you can draw near to the One Who is peace, and ask him to deliver you from anger; from the root of anger.


You may have received “anger” as a seed from a parent in which it has grown into a “tree” producing fruit; anger fruit.


Draw near to the Lord and ask Him to uproot anger out of you. Be persistent in this and find scripture that deals with this issue. Tell him you don’t want this in your life, that you turn away from this behavior and turn to Him for help. He will help you and deliver you.


He delivered me from many things in my life including anger. This is how I was able to receive healing n many areas of my life.


I am lost without Him. He is my life.







JLB

 

[Edward]

So am I supposed to read certain scriptures pertaining to my sins like pornography? Or just the Word in general along with my morning bible study and group bible study?

Read the whole thing front to back and let the Holy Spirit teach you as you read, and you will read many scriptures that pertain to different aspects of your life. Have you ever read the whole thing? I'm guessing no.

Before I had ever read it cover to cover even once, I had the thought, one of these days I'll be standing in front of Jesus and I get the feeling that He is going to ask, so, did you read My book? My letter of instruction to you?
...and that scared me. I think it would be mighty embarassing to have to answer Him, no I did not. I've read it cover to cover 3 times now, and it takes about one year to do it. That works out to 3 chapters a day +-. and there's an hour easily each day reading it and meditating on it. I like to read in the morning. The house is quiet, I'm fresh from sleeping. It's a good time.

This reading has nothing to do with any other of your bible studies, or looking up a passage when the pastor says to or any of that. That don't count. I read it straight through in a year and then, I started again. I wasn't done, I was starting!

Reading hack tip for the bible is, if you're not grounded in the old testament then you will have trouble understanding the new testament. Dive into Genesis real good and you'll see what I mean!.

 

[WIP]

Every year beginning on January 1, I read or listen to the Bible from cover to cover. Admittedly, this year I chose to read only the New Testament instead. One thing that I have discovered is every time I do this, I find something new that catches my attention. It seems the learning never stops.

Have I found answers to all my questions, troubles, etc.? No, but I truly believe God lets me know what I need to know, when I need to know it.

 

[for_his_glory]

When you say you listened for an answer, was it just after you prayed like how Edward said it a couple posts back when he replied to my first reply to him?

In my case yes, it was after I was done talking to Him and just laid their quietly hoping for Him to speak to me. It wasn't that Jesus took my past away, but that He taught me how to first love myself and move from my past and start living a renewed life in Him.

 

[sushilp3585]

In my case yes, it was after I was done talking to Him and just laid their quietly hoping for Him to speak to me. It wasn't that Jesus took my past away, but that He taught me how to first love myself and move from my past and start living a renewed life in Him.

So how did you know it was Him? How did you test? I do not know if you recall my earlier posts last year when I asked something similar to this. I had started doing that but, as I said before, I stopped because something that was supposed to be, said it was not. 1 John 4. Now, I know someone might say read the rest of the verse, I have and believe it is the same thing that I had done before. I use to ask who died for my sins, not to confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. Is there a difference?

 

[sushilp3585]

Read the whole thing front to back and let the Holy Spirit teach you as you read, and you will read many scriptures that pertain to different aspects of your life. Have you ever read the whole thing? I'm guessing no.

Before I had ever read it cover to cover even once, I had the thought, one of these days I'll be standing in front of Jesus and I get the feeling that He is going to ask, so, did you read My book? My letter of instruction to you?
...and that scared me. I think it would be mighty embarassing to have to answer Him, no I did not. I've read it cover to cover 3 times now, and it takes about one year to do it. That works out to 3 chapters a day +-. and there's an hour easily each day reading it and meditating on it. I like to read in the morning. The house is quiet, I'm fresh from sleeping. It's a good time.

This reading has nothing to do with any other of your bible studies, or looking up a passage when the pastor says to or any of that. That don't count. I read it straight through in a year and then, I started again. I wasn't done, I was starting!

Reading hack tip for the bible is, if you're not grounded in the old testament then you will have trouble understanding the new testament. Dive into Genesis real good and you'll see what I mean!.

Read the whole bible, got it. However, do you pray to the Holy Spirit before you begin to read or ask while you are reading? I would think it would take more than an hour since you might have to wait a bit for the holy spirit to reply, especially if it is hard for you to recognize it and have to test it. I am not concerned about the time, just want to make the most out of it. Or, is it better to read first, take notes on what you do not understand, and after you are done, ask the Holy Spirit to clarify what you do not understand?

By the way, no I have not read the whole bible. I just started in Matthew. Before, I had started on Genesis and went about maybe 1/4 of Leviticus and stopped doing everything. When I came back to the Lord, I started on Matthew because I wanted to know who Jesus was and did since I am to imitate him and apply to us more than the Old Testament.

 

[Edward]

Read the whole bible, got it. However, do you pray to the Holy Spirit before you begin to read or ask while you are reading?

Yes, and yes.

 

[sushilp3585]

Yes, and yes.

I am still not understanding lol. Could you please clarify what you are saying yes and yes to please.

 

[Edward]

do you pray to the Holy Spirit before you begin to read or ask while you are reading?

Yes, pray for understanding before you read. And ask while you are reading when you don't understand something.

We have a responsibility to seek and understand what the will of God is in our lives and in the moment. That's how the model prayer begins, our Father which is in Heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your Kingdom come, your will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven...

What is His will in your situation? And that's why He gave us His book and expects to learn these things!! It's in there!

I would think it would take more than an hour since you might have to wait a bit for the holy spirit to reply, especially if it is hard for you to recognize it and have to test it.

It progresses to more than an hour pretty quickly. Learning more motivates one to righteousness, and the Holy Spirit may just answer you instantly so be listening! A thought will come to you, or a scripture pops into your head...don't immediately reject what comes to you. Write it down maybe and ponder it...does it answer your question? Does it agree with every scripture in the Bible?

The Holy Spirit is like anyone else so to speak in that, He has his own way of talking. Everybody speaks a certain way and thinks a certain, grammattically speaking. So does the Holy Spirit. I've learned that, hey I don't talk like that that sounds like something the Lord would say! And it gets easier.

The thing is...don't read the Bible with your carnal mind. Read the Bible from your spirit! Spiritual issues must be discerned spiritually, the carnal mind can never accept the things of God. And the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a helper and a tutor, so actually, we don't need any man to teach us. You want understanding? You have not because you ask not.

But remember that an increased input of the word of God may not be enough! What I mean to say is, you have to stop watching porn completely. You're trying to change your heart so watching porn is planting toxic seeds into your mind and heart. Urges to watch may come but resist the devil and he will flee. IOW, it'll pass, be patient and pray for the grave to be able to overcome it.

 

[for_his_glory]

So how did you know it was Him? How did you test? I do not know if you recall my earlier posts last year when I asked something similar to this. I had started doing that but, as I said before, I stopped because something that was supposed to be, said it was not. 1 John 4. Now, I know someone might say read the rest of the verse, I have and believe it is the same thing that I had done before. I use to ask who died for my sins, not to confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. Is there a difference?

I didn't have to test it as the loving warmth, calmness and peace that came into my heart while hearing Him talking to me and what Jesus told me was confirmation enough to know I knew His voice. A spirit that does not confess Christ as Lord and Savior could never speak the words Jesus spoke to me.

 

[for_his_glory]

I use to ask who died for my sins, not to confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. Is there a difference?

You no longer have to ask who died for your sins as you know it was Christ Jesus.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

[for_his_glory]

sushilp3585 let me ask you a question.

You say in your profile that you are a Christian. How did you become a Christian?