The Book of Proverbs
Part 10
The Scheming & Cunning Heart
God Hates the Scheming Heart
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty [Arrogant] eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
-Proverbs 6:16-19
God Hates the Cunning Heart
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings [About wisdom] as the apple of your eye… 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” 5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman, [or any slick salesperson] from the wayward woman with her seductive words.” [Cunning Heart]
-Proverbs 7:1-5
A “Wise” heart can smell deceit
“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool [Schemers] comes to ruin.”
-Proverbs 10:8
The Greatest Safeguard is always to be looking at God
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [The basics of life that you NEED] will be given to you as well.” [Marketing = convince people of their need for a product then sell it]
- Matthew 6:33
“Herod [Antipas] [Herod the Great’s son] had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying [Repeatedly] to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John [Respected] and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; YET he liked to listen to him. [Marital disagreement. Herod liked John. Herodias HATED him] 21 Finally the opportune time came. [There is always an opportune time for schemers] On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. [Dance of the Seven Veils???] The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. [Have you found yourself a part of someone else’s scheme?] 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
-Mark 6:17-29
HEROD THE GREAT
Tried to kill Jesus after the Magi brought their gifts to see “The one Born King of the Jews”
Note: I am NOT putting any of the Mom’s names in this chart except for Herodias [The Scheming mom]
See video for visuals of lineage.
Beware of Schemes
1. “Set-ups”
Get to know the hidden tactics that are constantly being used against us, as Satan does not change his tactics too often. He doesn’t change his tactics because they work.
2.“Fear Marketing”
Ie. Political Ads
3. Impatience
“Act NOW” schemes or you will lose out. “Closing the Deal”
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
4.Peer Pressure
Be willing to
“Swallow your pride”
vs
“Saving-face”
5.Vulnerability
Where are you vulnerable, weak, blind, inexperienced, Naïve, Weary, Tired?
The following can make you Vulnerable and Susceptible to being taken advantage of:
Poor Health (Emotional, Relational, Physical [Sleep, Medication, etc.], Mental, Financial)
“When I am weak, then I am Strong.”
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
-2 Corinthians 12:10
“When I am weak, then I am _____.”
“Sometimes you need to lose a battle in order to win the war”
Do not be afraid to say no, or wait.
You may lose face, but you will not be suckered in.
We are never free from someone trying to con us.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
-Isaiah 40:29
Comments