How do you interpret this verse ... ?

[JimB]

The message has an interesting take on it.

Hi A,

I’m sorry if I appear to be nitpicking, but this is what the most commonly used Bibles say on Proverbs 16:9

NKJV:
A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

NIV:
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

ESV:
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

AMP:
A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

CEV:
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.

But, “The Message” says this:
We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.

The only Bible out of step with God’s Word is The Message, which is the most watered-down, distorted, and misrepresented version of God’s Inspired Word.

The commonly used versions referring to this verse say, “PLANS”, and there is a big difference between “PLANS” and “WANT”??

Also, there isn’t that much difference between the words “DIRECT, DETERMINES, ESTABLISHES, DECIDES” used in the most commonly used Bibles.

But, The Message has changed, distorted and misrepresented His Word and says that our Lord Jesus Christ “MAKES US”. That is not true and not the correct context of this verse, because we have our own will, and HE doesn’t MAKE US do anything, nor does HE MAKES US ABLE!!

Our STEPS, isn’t LIFE, but are our actions, our attitudes, our choices, our decisions that we make in our walk with HIM.

Why would any Christian quote from one of the most watered-down, distorted, misrepresentation of God’s Inspired Word?

When we read Matt 6:7-13 in The Message, this is what it says:

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant (judgemental and accusing, are prayer warriors HEATHENS?). They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God (again judgemental and accusing). Don't fall for that nonsense (what nonsense?). This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below (new age term, not Biblical!).
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. (SAFE isn’t DELIVER!)
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Now this is what His Inspired Word says through the NKJV:

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. (Note: The Message uses four lines of false information that is accusing and condemning about something that His Word is not saying in one and half lines!)
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Any similarity between what is being said in The Message and what is being said in the NKJV is purely coincidental, which is extremely common throughout The Message, which is a new age gospel and personal interpretation made by the author thinking he can do a better job than God’s Inspired Writers.

Once again A, I am sorry if I appear to be nit-picking, but to use The Message isn’t cricket!

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

I take it you do not like The Message.

~Jim

It has taken me all my life to understand that I don’t have to understand everything.​

 

[Elijah2]

Hi Jimbo, how did you get that impression?

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

 

[JimB]

Proverbs 16.9 has been a guiding passage in my life. To me, it says that it is okay for those who believe to plan our way—God actually leaves some decisions up to us—but we can be assured that whatever decision we make, God is guiding our steps. Of course, in keeping with the rest of scripture, our decisions need to be righteous ones where we seek first the kingdom of God. That interpretation has stood me well for more than forty years.

~Jim

It has taken me all my life to understand that I don’t have to understand everything.​

 

[Simon_Templar]

Plans are long term ideas about what we will do, what we want to achieve etc.

Man makes plans, what he will do with his life, what his career will be, what kind of family he will have, etc...

However, the truth is that we do not know what even today will bring, let alone tomorrow, or next month, or next year.

So we make our plans, but what actually happens is determined by God.

I can plan to get a job, or to go to seminary, but it is God who will determine whether my steps take me there, or if events drive me in a different direction