Proverbs of a 39 yr old man

Symbols. Symbols are different than idols. And that's if you can keep those two separate, a symbol can be a blessing in your life. It can remind you to be grateful and gracious. Also to be courageous and valiant. May even spur you to embody that symbol and become a living example of it. But be careful that symbols in your life do not become what you place your trust in. Gods word and character is what we should trust. Put religion and doctrine in its proper place, so that faith in God can do it’s perfect work. Symbols can quickly become ritual causing them to lose their essence. The LORD told Israel in the book of Deuteronomy: Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors. Symbols can be beautiful if left in its proper context. Scripture is full of symbols that represent Gods love and faithfulness. God also told Israel to erect stone monuments to remind future generations of his greatness and provision. Lastly, symbolism is the vehicle of revelation. The book of Revelation talks about people in the last days getting the mark of the beast. It is very important we learn symbols and what they mean, not letting these things become idols that we eventually worship. That is the devils plan to make a counterfeit symbol of Gods word as we become slaves to sin and death. Be encouraged with this, we do have the victory in the end: And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.

Study Ex. 13:16 https://biblehub.com/exodus/13-16.htm