Considering Proverbs 5:21-23

²¹ For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

²² His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

²³ He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

The ways of man are contrary to the ways of God, but in Jesus Christ we have forgiveness and a path forward by which we can learn how to do that which is pleasing to God. Even in this, we will make mistakes. However, a heart that sincerely searches for the right way and sincerely wants to do what is right is pleasing to God even when that person makes mistakes.

God knows those who love Jesus. Those who are covered by His blood are seen as perfect, just as Jesus is perfect. God knows who will live forever already, and in some sense of time those who will live eternally already live with the Father and Son because both inhabit eternity. So, it is no small thing if God can see us according to the finished work that Jesus does for us. We should strive to see our fellow servants in like manner.

However, we do know that there are many among us who are not of us. We know there is corruption within the church. We know that there will be a great apostasy. We know that the ways of Satan are already at work.

We also know that we should not judge anyone or anything before their time. We know that we should not fall into the paths of the Accuser. We know that we should not beat our fellow servants. We know that God has ordained all things and what is written will be fulfilled.

We also know that vengeance belongs to God. We know that “those who kill with the sword must be killed with the sword” and “those who lead into captivity must go into captivity.”

Whether we are concerned with corruption of the “strange woman” within our church, our nation, or our world, we do not give into the temptation to overcome evil with evil. It helps if we know that those who plot wicked plans will be taken by their own devices.

When God chastises a nation or His people, He often sends and enemy to do so—and that enemy is going to be wicked. When the task is done, God is perfectly justified in destroying that enemy. We see this theme throughout the Old Testament and in Revelation. As mentioned in recent writings, the wicked will turn in on themselves.

As Christians, we want to make sure that we are not standing in the house of the “strange woman” or in the house of the wicked in general. We do not want to get caught up with the temptation of so-called righteous indignation, therewith many destroy others and justify themselves in so doing.

Instead, we trust in Jesus, we continue to seek Him more fully, we learn how to be a better example of Christianity so that some might be converted and saved, and we wait as those who destroy are destroyed. Though many sincere Christians will suffer and die should we live to see the chastisement of God come in full measure by way of the Great Whore of Mystery Babylon, the beast, and the false prophet, those who are faithful are given peace. Those who are faithful to the end are raised from the dead and given power over their enemies when Jesus returns.

It is worth repeating that those who are blood thirsty will have their day when the false christ appears, and many will think this is their Lord. They will think this is their Lord because they are already deceived by the “strange woman” and Satan. That is why we are instructed to “come out of her.”

It is worth repeating that the “strange woman” exists spiritually within all of Christendom, just as the body of Christ in Spirit exists within all of Christendom. Neither are exclusive to a single denomination or church. We are of her when we do what she does—when we do what Satan does.

In these things, our churches are rebuked in Revelation 2-3.

According to my understanding, these things include (in basic terms):

• Exalting man over Jesus, including exaltation of religious leaders and our favorite denomination over the ways of Jesus.
• When we accuse and slander others within the faith and without the faith, therewith we justify destroying others while remaining blind to our own faults.
• When we abuse the blood of Jesus either by forgetting mercy or by excusing sins because we are “forgiven” or because of “grace.” Calling sinfulness righteous also falls into the category of abusing the blood of Jesus.
• When we pursue the faith intellectually or legalistically and fail to take the ways of Jesus to heart.
• When we pursue the things of this world over the things of the Kingdom of Heaven and therewith find contentment and the illusion of security or God’s favor.
• When we abuse the Word of God as a tool by which we do all the above.

If we want to “come out of her” then these are the areas we need to focus on most. Those who continue in these ways without repentance show themselves to be sons of Satan and not sons of God, and they will welcome their father, the devil when he makes his appearance and the “strange woman” will become that Great Whore.

What about myself? I have done all these things in some measure, so I cannot condemn anyone. I sympathize to a great deal with the errors of Christianity, I love my brethren, and by the grace of God I strive to love all people better. I do not write these things to accuse anyone or to condemn, and I certainly strive to never judge an individual person or church. We all have faults and we can all seek Jesus more fully. I write these things because I am persuaded that the chastisement of God is on the way, and we see this somewhat today already.

I don’t know how far off the time of great trouble will be, but I know the way many view that time is wrong. I know that as Christians, we need to get our own house in order. Instead of blaming the world, we need to look at ourselves, our churches, and our Christian media because all things that are of the house of the “strange woman” will be taken in by deception and destroyed. We should not deceive ourselves as she does saying, “I sit a queen and am no widow and shall see now sorrow.”

I am thankful that Jesus will not allow those who love Him sincerely to be deceived, yet I am still convicted in saying these things. I feel that if I do not say these things, then all will not go well for me.

As we continue in Proverbs, we might get away from this topic (I don’t know, I’m taking it as it comes). So, I hope I have made this clear. If not, please reach out.