Sweet Poison

January 21, 2016

Sweet poison

Proverbs 22:2

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].

Matthew Henry concise commentary

We are partial in judging ourselves and our actions.

Miyagi’s commentary

Have you ever wonder why people are so quick and ready to justify their actions?  And isn’t it true what today’s Scripture says that “every man’s way is right in his own eyes?”   How should we judge our own actions?   Should it be based on the world’s standard or God’s standards?  

People do what they do because in their own eyes, it is right.  But if the Holy Spirit were to examine one’s heart and motive, the story may be different.  Proverbs 3:5 tells us to “trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”  Ever heard people give others the advice to “follow your heart?”  Well, that really depends on what is in the heart.  Not every heart is following Jesus.  And not every heart is pure.  So really, if one is following his heart, what is he really following?  Trusting in the Lord is better than “following your own heart” because the Lord Jesus is pure and holy and righteous in all His ways.  These seemingly good advice such as “follow your heart” is actually poison to the soul.  It sounds good.  It is pleasant to the ears.  And may even make you feel nice and fluffy inside.  But it is the advice from hell.

The analogy that  best illustrates this is rat poison.  Rat poison is 99% rat food and 1% poison.  It looks like rat food, smells like it and tastes like it to the rats.  But it is the 1% poison that is going to kill the rat.    People are the same way.  They may say nice things that sounds good to the ear and acceptable by all, but a person with discernment, wisdom and understanding will examine those words through the Scripture and the help of the Holy Spirit and know exactly where it came from.

If a lie is said long enough, frequent enough and loud enough, eventually it will be believed as the truth.  Phrases like “follow your heart” or “be number one” or “take pride in your work” are phrases you hear all the time.  And because they are spoken and heard so many times, one tends to accept it as truth.  But a closer examination of these phrases will show that it is nothing but poison to the soul.

Summary conclusion:

The devil comes as the angel of light.  He comes across as a person who means well and may even have a noble agenda (to fool the masses).   In politics, you see it all the time.  People say nice things and everyone claps.  Then months down the line, the truth comes out.  And it is shocking because everyone had believed the lie.  So beware and be wise and be not gullible to what everyone is saying.

Psalm 19:14 AMP

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Verses 11-14 God's word warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way, and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping God's commandments. Religion makes our comforts sweet, and our crosses easy, life truly valuable, and death itself truly desirable. David not only desired to be pardoned and cleansed from the sins he had discovered and confessed, but from those he had forgotten or overlooked. All discoveries of sin made to us by the law, should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray. His dependence was the same with that of every Christian who says, Surely in the Lord Jesus have I righteousness and strength. No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance. May our hearts be much affected with the excellence of the word of God; and much affected with the evil of sin, and the danger we are in of it, and the danger we are in by it.

Miyagi’s commentary

So if we check our words and actions to make sure that it is pleasing and acceptable to God, we do well.  And if we do the same with the words we hear people say, we will not fall victim to the lies from the pits of hell.  

Summary conclusion:

Don’t believe and accept everything you hear so readily.  Some of these things that people swallow is really “sweet poison.”

The big picture:

The Bible tells us not to judge… that is not to judge by the world’s standards.  Righteous judgement is call discernment.  And it is encouraged by the Lord for us to exercise.  This is why it is important to pray, meditate and study (the Word of God).  When we do this, we won’t be so gullible to believe the lies like the masses.  

The Byword:

If you trust in the Lord with all your heart, you will save yourself from   consuming “sweet poison.”

Miyagi