What strategies help us avoid "the schemes of the wicked" in our lives? Recognizing the Warning from Psalm 10:2 “In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.” (Psalm 10:2) Psalm 10 exposes a real, daily danger: proud people plotting traps that can swallow the unsuspecting. The Spirit records this so we can prepare, not panic. Identifying What Makes a Scheme “Wicked” •Driven by pride (Psalm 10:2) •Targets the vulnerable (v. 2) •Conceals motives behind smooth words (v. 7) •Assumes God does not see or care (v. 11) Strategies That Protect Us •Stay Scripture-Saturated – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) – Regular reading equips us to spot counterfeit ideas the way bankers spot counterfeit bills—by constant exposure to the genuine. •Put on the Full Armor of God – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11) – Truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and the Word form a complete defense; leave no piece off. •Guard Your Company – “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked…avoid it, do not travel on it.” (Proverbs 4:14-15) – “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) – Choose companions whose lives reinforce obedience, not compromise. •Walk in Humility – Pride fuels wicked plots; humility draws grace. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) – Humility keeps our hearts soft, teachable, and quick to repent when tempted. •Practice Immediate, Costly Obedience – Delayed obedience leaves a window open for temptation to harden into participation. – Joseph fled Potiphar’s wife, losing his cloak but keeping his purity (Genesis 39:12). •Keep Transparent Accountability – “Two are better than one…If either of them falls, the other can lift up his companion.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) – Regular check-ins with trusted believers expose hidden sin before it grows. •Cultivate a Watchful Prayer Life – “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – Prayer surfaces schemes the Spirit sees long before we do. •Rest in God’s Sovereignty – “Though they plot evil against You and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.” (Psalm 21:11) – Confidence in God’s rule keeps fear from driving rash choices. Living the Truth Daily Start every day armored with Scripture and prayer, walk shoulder-to-shoulder with wise believers, obey promptly, and trust that God already has every wicked scheme on His radar. In His strength, we can step around the traps and keep moving forward in holiness. |
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