Keeping Guard

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

KEEPING GUARD

Prov 24:8-9

8 He who plots evil will be known as a schemer. 9 The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker.

NIV

It would seem there is a difference between being known as a schemer then just having an occasional thought about foolishness or even sin itself. What Christian can say they have never had a thought about something which is considered sin? What Christian can say they have never put that thought to action? But sin is not at the core of our thoughts or desires as this person who plots evil. Although James talks about a person being drawn away by our own evil desires.

James 1:13-15

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

NIV

But again this is being drawn or dragged or enticed by temptation, not plotting to do evil. This plotter, this schemer has folly in his heart all the time. It would appear this type of mocker is even detested by the men of the world. That is how evil his plotting can be. We have just seen this type of plotter shooting hundreds of people enjoying a music festival. We have seen this type of person in history, such as Adolf Hitler plotting the extinction of the Jewish people. We have seen many such men that are so evil the world itself scorns them. But those types also serve another form of evil. That is because those who refuse to accept Jesus see themselves as good people in comparison to this type who plot evil and are known as schemers. What we need to consider is if we might plot any kind of evil or wickedness or sin. That is not our desire. That is not what our life is about. We desire to do that which is pleasing to God. Yet we fail to accomplish that plan all the time. We fall short of perfection and yield to some temptation, if it be so slight as to be impatient or be upset, or get angry or be not being forgiving. Whatever the temptation is, it’s aimed right at us. We could be tempted by fame and fortune. We could be tempted by stuff, material goods, money. We could be tempted by sensuality. It would seem there are as many temptations possible that it might take a book to list them all. Well in fact we already have a book listing them all and it was inspired by God. Yet let us continual assess out heart. Let us always allow God to examine the direction of our heart. Yes, we fail to be perfect, but let us not get trapped into being a plotter of sin. Let us not be deceived into believing our heart is bent toward evil all the time. Yes that is what God said about the people of the world before the flood. But if we have been given a new heart, if we have been born again, if we asked Jesus into our heart, if the Holy Spirit dwells within us, then how can our heart always be bent toward evil all the time? This is not to say we do not have sinful thoughts and that we are enticed into some sin from time to time. But that is not our desire all the time, every moment of every day as this one who plots evil. We have been changed, the old has passed away and we have become a new creature in Christ. So let us not be worried, or concerned that we could be anything like this plotter of evil, this schemer, this doer of folly. But let us also be on guard against the likes of such people, so as to not get drawn in by them. Some of these who plot evil have hidden themselves in sheep’s clothing, appearing to be Godly, but only having a form or godliness. They too are schemers of folly and we should be on guard again all forms of schemes for they all come from the father of all lies. Let us keep guard. Keep guard against anything that would entice us, and anyone who would try to deceive us.