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Read Proverbs Chapter 5
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\u201cThough the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, in the end she\u2019s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double edged sword.\u201d Proverbs 5:3-4 CSB
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I can\u2019t help but think of the Southern analogy, \u201cBless your heart.\u201d I\u2019m from the north. I moved to the south over 25 years ago. I learned quickly when someone told me, \u201cBless your heart,\u201d it had a double meaning. I didn\u2019t understand it can be a passive aggressive way of insulting someone. Typically in the north, we\u2019re a little more direct. For instance, I recently spent the weekend with college friends, some I hadn\u2019t seen in almost 32 years. My one girlfriend told me I \u201cmarried up\u201d. And she\u2019s right, I definitely did. I knew exactly what she meant, no hidden agenda.
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Words can have so many different meanings. Especially when you look behind the obvious meaning. The forbidden woman in this verse means \u201cto turn aside; to be a foreigner\u201d. She is using her words to draw you away from the path you should take, trying to convince you to follow her into bitterness.
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Advertisements do this all the time. The ads for exercise equipment, filled with beautifully toned bodies, leading you to believe if you use whatever machine they\u2019re selling, you\u2019ll have the same results. All of the food commercials, tempting and persuading you to eat unhealthy things. During political campaigns, there are countless messages trying to persuade you to vote for their candidate.
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It can be difficult to decipher all of the different messages we receive from so many different sources. Recognizing the truth in a statement can be tricky. It is always wise to consider the source. Who is giving the message? What are their motives? How will this truly affect my life? Asking questions can help lead you to the truth. Trusting your instincts, if it doesn\u2019t feel right it probably isn\u2019t right. How does it compare to what scripture says? If it doesn\u2019t line up with scripture, discard it. Ask a trusted friend what they think. Someone who will tell you the truth, not just agree with you.
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Bottom line: Be discerning. Don\u2019t believe everything you hear. Look beneath the surface to find the truth. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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