How do you protect yourself from a seductress?  First of all you must realize that the seductress is not a flesh and blood woman.  She is a word that comes to appeal to your inner desires.  Humans are vulnerable because we want things that we see, we covet many things that we don't posess and we want to demonstrate our worth to others.  These desires make us easy prey for the seductress.  She knows how to appeal to these desires.  People who are devoid of wisdom and understanding cannot see the danger!  This is why God begs us to form a close bond with Him and His word.  He knows that it will protect us from the enticing trap of those who seek to seduce.  We gain power to resist the seductress when we pursue God's wisdom on a daily basis.  We must ask God to "Give us this day our daily bread (the ability to apply His word)".  When we acquire wisdom and understanding, the words of the seductress fall on deaf ears!

There is a voice crying out to the naive in the midst of all the Corona noise.  A naive person is someone who lacks wisdom or the ability to judge prudently.  This is the meaning of "simple" in this Proverb.  What makes "simplicity" so tragic is the fact that "wisdom" continues to cry out to those that are in love with being "simple"!  These verses highlight God's love for us, even in the midst of our stubborness.  Many are so in love with "their own way", that even a life-changing pandemic is not enough to cause them to turn and listen to the voice of God.  A naieve person can only be transformed when they choose to turn and consider that voice crying in the streets!

We are captivated by the lifestyles of the rich and famous.  Wealth, fame, and power are magnetic and motivate the decisions and pursuits of men.  However, there is something that is more valuable than all of the things on this earth that your heart may desire;  wisdom.   Why is that, you may ask.  The pleasures and convenience's of wealth, fame and power are temporary.  Wisdom will provide for you today and tomorrow!  If you set your affections on things that are temporary, you will discover in time that you are unfulfilled.  You have been designed for higher pursuits.  True riches, joy and peace are found as you acquire wisdom. (see Colossians 1:1-3)

Life is filled with many challenges. We are often takem advantage of because we lack the wisdom to deal with people who are extremely shrewd (see Mark 16:7-9).  The wisdom that we need to win is available to us.  God's word has been "refined as silver"( or purified) to Protect and empower us to overcome our challenges.  The word "pure" in this verse, literally means to goldsmith or to melt away impurities!  Think about that for a second. Every word has been DESIGNED by God to meet OUR needs! When we trust Him, we are protected. Before we can trust Him, we have to spend time with His word.

There are many voices in the world vying for our attention. God has given us the abilty to find the one voice that will feed our soul and enable us to live an abundant life.  In order to posess this wonderful blessing, we have to expend some effort.  Read your Bible and ask God to speak to you!  He has promised that "If you learn from me, you will find rest for your soul" (Matthew 11:29).  "Bread" (in verse 13) represents everything we need for sucess, wisdom, peace, joy and power.  You cannot have the blessing if you are lazy (sleeping instead of seeking )!

The discovery of truth liberates and empowers people!  When someone tells you their version of the "truth", you only know what they "know".  However, when you pursue truth and find it, no one can take it from you.  A lazy person will not search diligently and he robs himself of wisdom, joy, and liberty.  Now you know why evil people easily deceive and dominate many.

When America decided to take prayer out of schools, it started a process of decay that has led to corruption throughout our government. This is exactly what this verse predicts! The only way back is wise leadership that will root out corruption and reestablish law and order. We MUST pray FOR our leaders, and that corruption is exposed and dealt with justly. What an amazing Proverb this is!

We make foolish and hurtful decisions when we lack wisdom.  True wisdom comes from God and there is no way to acquire it apart from a relationship with Him. Israel suffered greatly because they did not understand The scores of prophecies (parables) in the Bible about how and when their Messiah would come to them  (Luke 19:43-44). God wants to reveal the secrets of life to us, but we must be willing to humbly come to Him.  If we behave foolishly, like Israel, we too will suffer.

Carefully consider this verse from I Cor 2:7-8
"but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory"

We live at a time when men love themselves and pleasure more than they love God. However, it is a time of great opportunity! The evil around us serves as a stark contrast to the love we show our neighbors. We are called to good works and they will shine brightly in the midst of darkness. Bless somebody today.

There is nothing wrong with hard work.  Being industrious is a virtue that typically produces many benefits.  Labor, as it is used here is something completely different.  The Hebrew term used here implies sorrowful or wicked labor.  The best way to understand this is to examine the behavior of the 5,000 people that Jesus fed in John chapter 6.

 After this miracle, the people "labored" to find Jesus, even to the point of crossing a sea to another country!   Note carefully what Jesus said to them, 
"...you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life..." -John 6:26-27 

In other words, what you labor FOR determines if your work will ultimately produce fulfilling and lasting results.  If your goal is to pursue wealth for the sake of comfort and the pleasures of life, sorrow is in your future.   The question we need to ask ourselves is, what do we work for and why?  There is a reason that there is something called a "rat race".