AUGUST 21 - Watch Where You're Going
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:3; Psalm 97; James 3
3-Year Bible Devotional Book Now Available on Amazon.
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“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” —Proverbs 22:3
“O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” —Psalm 97:10
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” —James 3:17
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You’ve probably seen one of those videos where someone walks into a pole while looking at their phone. Funny, sure—but it’s also a reminder: when you’re not paying attention, you can end up somewhere you never meant to be. Life is like that, too. Proverbs 22:3 tells us that wise people watch out for danger and steer clear of it. God doesn’t want us just stumbling along, getting hurt because we didn’t think ahead.
And in James 3, we learn what real wisdom looks like—not just being smart, but being peace-loving, sincere, and kind. When we truly love God, as Psalm 97 encourages, we learn to hate the things that hurt us and others—especially evil. God gives us the tools to stay on track, but we have to choose to use them.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Look Before You Leap: Are there areas in your life where you’ve ignored warning signs and suffered because of it? How can you practice wisdom by paying closer attention?
2. Real Wisdom Check: According to James 3, godly wisdom isn’t just about knowing stuff—it’s about how we treat people. Which of the qualities in James 3:17 do you want to grow in?
3. Hating Evil, Loving God: Psalm 97:10 says if you love God, you should hate evil. What does that look like in your daily life—at school, online, with your friends?
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BOTTOM LINE
Living wisely means being alert to the world around you, choosing God’s way over your own, and letting His wisdom shape your thoughts, actions, and words.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to see the danger in paths that lead me away from You. Give me the courage to turn around when I need to and the wisdom to walk with integrity, peace, and love. Teach me to hate what is evil and hold on to what is good. Thank You for guiding and protecting me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
