and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
The American love for being a rugged individual, a person who "pulls himself up by his bootstraps" or thinking a person is a "self-made man (or woman)" is not Biblical. We are not on our own. A self-made person is impossible.....
Folly of thinking we can do it all ourselves
"Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
"There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
We can lead ourselves astray (and others) when we go on ourselves without God's guidance.
It is Either/Or. Either God or the World. 100%
"The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
1 Corinthians 2:14
Even if we are Believers we can dampen the Spirit's voice. We can ignore His voice. We can even shut Him up when we refuse to follow His leading. This is a very dangerous thing to do.
"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so." Romans 8:5-7
What God says is always the right thing to do.
Where do We Start?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[a] despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
This is just the beginning. We have to be learning the Word. Grow or die.
"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" Matthew 4:4
Carry On, Forward
"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:17-18
Grow in grace -- this is the next step. You're either growing or you're dead. You gotta study the Word.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Either conform to the World or be transformed by God's word. Will you conform or be transformed?
We are not called to be combating people! People are not the enemy. Refuse to do this. Refuse to take sides. This kind of behavior is conforming to the world's ways. Grow in the Word; distance ourselves from the world. Without knowledge your faith might wobble.
Remember
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Let God drive or let the world drive. Lean on the Spirit -- now more than ever.
'But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Everyone who follows their own wisdom thinks they are right. The world is speeding up in downhill descent.
Follow God or Follow the World
Where we are:
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25
Absolute Truths -- Hold On
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
He wants you. He is the Door. He is giving you another option -- you don't have to choose to go to hell. Choose Him.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." romans 8:28
In the end the Believers will be standing.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13
Have compassion not anger toward those who don't follow Jesus. You gotta get into the Fight with the Sword.