Day 6 Proverbial Exhortations

Proverbs 1:10-13
[10] My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
(CEV Don’t be tempted by sinners or listen.
MSG Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don’t go along with them. TPT When peer pressure compels you to go with the crowd and sinners invite you to join in, you must simply say, “No!”)

[11] If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
[12] Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
[13] We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

Isn’t it interesting to know that one of the shortest words ever can be one of the hardest words to say, especially under the most trying circumstances.

However, the only correct response to the pressure to commit sin, to make compromises, to disobey GOD, to act out of character and Godly values is NO!

And you must learn to and feel very comfortable saying NO, in your thoughts, with your words and by your actions, to anything and everything that is wrong, ungodly and sinful.

Wise people know how to say NO unapologetically because peer, family, and societal pressure is real.
Sometimes subtle and other times heated and glaring but however way it comes, you must master how to stand strong and resist the pressure.

Do this by –
1. Establishing your heart in the right values. School your mind with the word of GOD. Pray and constantly remind yourself about what the word of GOD says.
2. Be a person of conviction and be bold and vocal about your Godly beliefs and values. Let the people around you know who you are at first contact.
3. Surround yourself with people of like minds. Be choosy about who you make friends with and the influences you come under. Be willing to stand alone if need be. It’s better to lose the world to have GOD with you than any other way.
4. Limit communication with and exposure to contrary and negative ideas and ideologies. Choose your food and don’t be force-fed by the world.

The only successful way to live in the world without being contaminated by the world is to live in it insulated but not isolated.
GOD did not design for you to live an isolated life, you are not an island. Interact but don’t be corrupted.
Make contact but don’t be infected.

Let the atmosphere around you be so thick with righteousness that no sinfulness can see through not to talk of break through.

Ephesians 5:11 AMP
Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];

Psalms 1:1
[1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Action: Examine yourself to see how well you align with the points listed above. Make actual adjustments to uphold righteousness always. Be determined in prayer to live an exemplary life