October 6, 2017

WHO'S ON YOUR TEAM?

Proverbs 11:12–21

Paige Wikle
Friday's Devo

October 6, 2017

Friday's Devo

October 6, 2017

Central Truth

Surround yourself with people who will speak the truth in love, no matter what life throws your way. Seek the Lord and then biblical wisdom.

Key Verse | Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)

Proverbs 11:12–21

12  Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.
13  Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14  Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15  Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16  A gracious woman gets honor,
    and violent men get riches.
17  A man who is kind benefits himself,
    but a cruel man hurts himself.
18  The wicked earns deceptive wages,
    but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19  Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,
    but he who pursues evil will die.
20  Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD,
    but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21  Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,
    but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 11:12–21

I grew up in a home where biblical wisdom was never spoken. I clung to the world's moral standards from my family and friends. I listened to what the world told me, and God was “there” if I ever needed Him.

From the outside, I was a good girl, but on the inside I was slowly rotting away. I told myself I was alone, no one would understand, and, if I hid my pain, it eventually would go away. After hitting rock bottom and by the grace of God, I told someone about my sin and decided I was going “all in” for Jesus. At the end of high school, I lost my friends, ended a toxic relationship, and realized my need for a Savior.

When I got to college, I surrounded myself with believers who did not let me slip through the cracks, and I realized that making decisions in isolation was a dangerous thing (Proverbs 18:1). I asked a woman to disciple me, I sought relationships with girls who loved Jesus by their actions and words, and I learned how to be authentic. Those friends lovingly called me to something more than myself. 

Today, I have a lot of really wise people in my life, but I can miss the most important piece if I seek them first and only. Before you seek others, seek God first. From there, surround yourself with people who will speak the truth in love. Proverbs 11:14 tells me I will fall with no guidance, and I am safe with many counselors. Do not ask their opinion, ask them to give you biblical wisdom from Scripture (Psalm 37:30). 

So, the next time any of us are facing a decision, let us:

Ask the Lord—pray and read God's Word.
Bring it to biblical community—ask them what God's Word says.
Make a choice—glorify God and run in it.   

God speaks to us through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. 

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you go to when life gets hard or you are faced with a hard decision? Do those people have a deep relationship with Jesus? (Proverbs 15:22)

2. When someone asks you for counsel, do you give your opinion or do you give them Scripture? (Proverbs 2:6-8)

3. Is there a cloud of witnesses around you so you can run with endurance? (Hebrews 12:1)