James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

1 Cor. 9:24-25 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

Luke 16:8 “And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.”

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge...”

1 Cor. 2

Col. 2:3-4 “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument.”

Rom 16:17-18 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”

1 Thess. 2:3-6 “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.

1 Thess. 2:3-6 “For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed — God is witness — nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.”

Worship “to make obeisance, do reverence to” (Vine) “It is used of an act of homage or reverence (a) to God” (Vine). John 4:23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”