Tag: Truth

Righteous vs Wicked

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Proverbs 12:5-7 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 

‘Thoughts’ [Hebrew: machshebowth] devices, plans (12:5; 15:26; 16:3; 21:5; Gen. 6:5; Ps. 33:11; 40:5; 56:5; 94:11; Isa. 55:7-8).

‘Counsels of the wicked.’ Six examples of wicked counsellors: Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50); Jeroboam (1Kin. 12:28); Sanballat (Neh. 6:2); Haman (Est. 3:5-8); Herod (Matt. 2:8, 16) and Judas (John 12:4-6).

‘Deceit’ [Hebrew: mirmah] cheating, deception (12:5, 17, 20; 14:8, 25; 26:24).

‘Words’ [Hebrew: dabar] speech. The speech or talk of the wicked concerns murder, but the words of the innocent deliver them from the plans of the wicked.

‘The wicked are overthrown.’ Three examples of the wicked being overthrown: Pre-Adamites (Gen. 1:2; Isa. 14:12-14; Jer. 4:23-26; 2Pet. 3:5-7); Antediluvians (Genesis 6-8); Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-38).

‘But the house of the righteous shall stand.’ Three examples of righteous houses standing: are Abraham (Gen. 17:19; Luke 1:70-73); David (2Sam. 7:1-29; Ps. 89:3-4) and Jacob (Luke 1:32-33).

Wickedness

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Proverbs 12:3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 

‘A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.’ Lawlessness will not establish a man, but righteousness will. All sin against man is primarily against God.

Seven things God opposes: He takes no pleasure in wickedness (Ps. 5:4). He cannot dwell with evil. He cannot tolerate the foolish (boasters) to stand in His presence. He hates workers of iniquity (Ps. 5:5). He hates leasing (falsehood, Ps. 5:6). He abhors bloody men. He abhors deceitful men.

Four main traits of wicked men: [1] Unfaithful. [Hebrew: kuwn] Translated as stable (1Chr. 16:30); stablish (2Sam. 7:13; 1Chr. 17:12; 2Chr. 17:5; Ps. 93:1; Hab. 2:12); stand (Jdg. 16:26); firm (Jos. 3:17; 4:3); and establish (2Sam. 7:12; 1Chr. 17:11; 22:10; etc.). Here it means no steadfastness or stability; no dependability in what is said. [2] Inwardly wicked – corrupt to the core. “Wickedness” comes from the Hebrew word havvah translated as wickedness (Ps. 5:9; 52:7; 55:11), perverse thing (Job 6:30), iniquity (Ps. 94:20), and naughtiness (Pro. 11:6). Its root means “to fall.” “Inward part” comes from the Hebrew word qereb, meaning the centre. Translated as inward (Ps. 5:9; 49:11; 64:6; Isa. 16:11; Jer. 31:33) and inwards (Ex. 29:13-22; Lev. 1:9-13; 3:3-14; 4:8-11; 7:3; 8:16-25; 9:14). [3] The throat is an open sepulchre [Hebrew: qeber] grave (Ps. 5:9; Isa. 22:16; Jer. 5:16). Streams of impurities come from within (Mark 7:19-21). [4] They flatter with their tongue (Ps. 5:9; 12:3; Pro. 26:28; 28:23; 29:5).

Seven facts about the wicked: They work wickedness in the heart (Ps. 58:2). Their hands are filled with violence. They are estranged from the womb (Ps. 58:3). They go astray from birth. They speak lies from childhood. They are as poisonous as serpents (Ps. 58:4). They are like a deaf adder.

Good vs Wicked

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Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 

‘A good man obtains favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.’ God gives grace to the righteous but condemns the wicked (Jas. 4:5-11). Their plans or devices will turn against them.

Luke 6:45 states that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good. From Scripture, we have these good treasures summarized in 1Corinthians 13:4-8 describing the nature of godly love and Galatians 5:22-23 describing the fruit of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:10-15 also gives examples and we see the nine things to put on as a true believer (Col. 3:10, 12): The new man (Eph. 4:24); bowels of mercies (2Cor. 6:12); kindness (1Cor. 13:4); humbleness of mind; meekness; longsuffering; forbearance (Gal. 5:22); forgiveness (Matt. 18:35); divine love (1Cor. 13:4).

Divine love is to be put on as the outer garment and finishing touch to a well-dressed Christian. After putting on the eight other things, one is to put on this outer cloak as the bond of perfectness or as a girdle. It is to cover all, unite all, and bind all together as one. This is true perfection (Matt. 5:43-48; 1Cor. 13:1-13).

Luke 6:45 also states that an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil (Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; Rom. 1:21-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21).

Instruction vs Reproof

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Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish. 

‘Instruction’ [Hebrew: muwcar] to understand; comprehend; chasten; discipline.

‘Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge.’ The one who rejects wisdom and sins against her does so to the damnation of his own soul (8:36). It is therefore not so much sin and satan, but the man himself that is responsible for his rejection or reception of wisdom which leads to eternal life. If he receives the teaching of God, sin will not have dominion over him, and if he resists satan, the devil will flee from him (Jas. 4:7; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:12-13).

‘But he that hates reproof is brutish.’ He is as stupid as an animal (cp. Pro. 30:2; Ps. 49:10; 73:22; 92:6).

Seven facts about the wicked: They are brutish (Ps. 92:6). They are ignorant of the truth. They are fools. They work iniquity (Ps. 92:7-8). They are enemies of God (Ps. 92:9). They shall be scattered. They shall perish; be destroyed forever off the earth (Ps. 92:7, 9).

Those who live with their consequences and in lives that are broken and sometimes beyond repair because of continuous iniquities are guilty of hating instruction. They don’t follow any godly advice (20:18; Ps. 1:1) and hate to ask for it, for they are almost always wise in their own eyes (3:7; Rom. 11:25). God’s Word is perfect in converting the soul and it makes the simple wise (Ps. 19:7). It is the Wisdom we should hear, walk in and obey (8:32,34; Ps. 119:2).

Ignorance is the state of the average heathen who gets to know only a little about nature. Christianity teaches man the true and full knowledge of God and nature and of the origin and destiny of all things (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:9-11).

The Righteous

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Proverbs 11:30-31 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. 

‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.’ The righteous produce eternal life for men by winning them to God through living a righteous life.

Twelve blessings of a righteous man: Sins are forgiven (Ps. 32:1, 5). Sins covered or atoned for (Ps. 32:1). Not charged with sin (Ps. 32:2). Freedom from sin. Mercy from God (Ps. 32:6). Not overwhelmed with sorrow. God as a hiding place (Ps. 32:7). Preservation from trouble. Compassed with songs of deliverance. Divine instruction (Ps. 32:8). Guidance from God. Compassed with mercy (Ps. 32:10).

‘Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.’ Both the righteous and the wicked will reap what they sow (Gal. 6:7-8). Quoted in 1Peter 4:18.

2Corinthians 9:6 warns that those who sow sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully and in verse 8 that God can make all grace abound toward us to always have sufficiency in all things. If this is not true of any believer he is coming short of gospel provision. Such grace is measured out according to the sowing (2Cor. 9:6). This is the law and there is no exception to the rule. That this is the cause of failure to reap is further proved in 2 Corinthians 9:9-10. If we sow seed we shall reap a harvest (2Cor. 9:10).

Troubles His Own House

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Proverbs 11:29 He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 

‘He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.’ He that dissipates his property by riotous living shall inherit emptiness in the end.

Eight sins noted in 1 Peter 4:3-4: [1] Lasciviousness. [Greek: aselgeia] every form of lewdness and impurity. [2] Lusts.[Greek: epithumia] strong or vehement desires (Col. 3:5). [3] Excess of wine. [Greek: oinophlugia] to be hot or to boil; to be aflame with wine or any alcohol. [4] Revellings. [Greek: komoi] lascivious feasts, boisterous festivity, singing and drinking in honour of heathen gods. [5] Banquetings. [Greek: potois] winefeasts; drinking matches. [6] Abominable idolatries. At social functions, the most impure, obscene, and perverted sexual behaviour, and abominable rites were practised. [7] Excess of riot. [Greek: asotia] flood of profligacy, sweeping away all rule, order, and restraint before it. [8] Speaking evil of you. [Greek: blasphemeo] blaspheming God and man (gossiping). Translated as “speak evil of” (1Pet. 4:4, 14; Rom. 14:16; 1Cor. 10:30; Tit. 3:2; 2Pet. 2:2, 10, 12; Jude 1:8, 10); “revile” (Matt. 27:39); “rail on” (Mark 15:29; Luke 23:39); “report slanderously” (Rom. 3:8); “defame” (1Cor. 4:13); “speak blashpemy” (Matt. 26:65); “blasphemously” (Luke 22:65); “blasphemer” (Acts 19:37); and “blaspheme” (Matt. 9:3; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10; John 10:36; Acts 13:45; 18:6; 26:11; Rom. 2:24; 1Tim. 1:20; 6:1; Tit. 2:5; Jas. 2:7; Rev. 13:6; 16:9, 11, 21).

‘Fool’ – Three Hebrew words translated as “fool” in Proverbs: [1] The Hebrew: ’eviyl means the lax or careless habit of mind and body; to be perverse, silly, and a fool. Used 19 times in Proverbs (1:7; 7:22; 10:8, 10, 14, 21; 11:29; 12:15-16; 14:3, 9; 15:5; 16:22; 17:28; 20:3; 24:7; 27:3, 27:22; 29:9). [2] The Hebrew: keciyl means dense or stupid, manifesting itself in impiety and irreverence. Used 49 times in Proverbs (1:22, 32; 3:35; 8:5; 10:1, 18, 23; 12:23; 13:16, 19-20; 14:7-8, 16, 24, 33; 15:2, 7, 14, 20; 17:10, 12, 16, 21, 24-25; 18:2, 6-7; 19:1, 10, 13, 29; 21:20; 23:9; 26:1, 3-12; 28:26; 29:11, 20). [3] The Hebrew: nabal refers to a vile and vulgar person. Used 3 times in Proverbs (17:7, 21; 30:22; cp. Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

The Righteous Shall Flourish

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Proverbs 11:28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 

‘But the righteous shall flourish as a branch.’ Seven acts of a righteous person: Delights in the Word of God (Ps. 1:2). Meditates in it day and night (Ps. 2:1-12). Consecrates to obey it (Ps. 1:1). Makes it his rule of life and conduct (Jas. 1:22-27). Makes it his standard of faith and religion (2Tim. 3:16-17). Reads it to gain knowledge and wisdom (Matt. 24:15; Eph. 3:4; Rev. 1:3). Feeds on it to grow spiritually (1Pet. 2:1-3; Rom. 10:17).

Five blessings of righteousness in Psalms 92:1-15: [1] They shall flourish like a palm tree (Ps. 92:12). In barren soil it is watered deep at the roots. The fruit of the palm provides a great part of the diet of the East. The stones are ground down for the camels; the leaves are made into baskets; the hard boughs or the strong leaves (1,8 to 2,4 metres long) are used to make fences; the threads of the leaves make ropes; and the wood makes building material or firewood. [2] They shall grow like the cedars of Lebanon, which live an extremely long time. Some are supposed to be 1,000 years old. They grow 24 to 30 metres tall and are 12 metres around the trunk. They express the ideas of majesty, durability, incorruptibility, and stability. [3] They shall flourish in the courts of God (Ps. 92:13). [4] They will still bring forth fruit in old age (Ps. 92:14). [5] They shall be fat (overflowing) and flourishing.

Flourish as a Branch

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Proverbs 11:28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 

‘He that trusts in his riches shall fall.’ A failing trust – in Mark 10:24 we have Christ’s that those who trust in their riches will have a hard time to enter into the kingdom of God. Not because of God’s mercy, but their own reluctance to part with riches and use them for the glory of God and the good of others. It is hard for them to cease to “trust in riches” and rely upon God.

The dangers of coveting riches: Many temptations and snares of the devil; many foolish and hurtful lusts; destruction and perdition (1Tim. 6:9); the root of evil to grow; one to err from the faith; many sorrows (1Tim. 6:10); highmindedness and wrong trust (1Tim. 6:17).

Riches in Scripture are considered the cause of much sin and rebellion against God; and, for this cause, there are many warnings to men, especially converted men, to shun all covetousness of such (Deut. 6:10-17; Ps. 52:1-7; 73:1-22; Pro. 23:4-5; 28:20-22; 30:8-9; Jer. 9:23; Ezek. 28:5; Matt. 6:19; Luke 6:24; 12:15-20; 16:13-31; 1Tim. 6:4-19; Jas. 1:9-11; 5:1-3).

The Liberal Soul

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Proverbs 11:25-27 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself. He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it. He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him. 

‘The liberal soul’ – God blesses the bountiful soul and repays what is cheerfully given.

‘Shall be made fat.’ Three examples of liberality blessed: The widow (1Kin. 17:10); the Shunammite (2Kin. 4:8, 37) and Publius (Acts 28:7-8).

‘He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.’ The man who takes advantage of scarcity to make himself rich will be cursed, but blessing will be upon the one who helps men in adversity.

‘He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him.’ He that seeks the good of others gains their favour, but he that seeks their harm shall reap it himself.

Scatters vs Withholds

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Proverbs 11:24 There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty. 

‘There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.’ What you give you gain; what you keep you lose. Luke 6:38 teaches that with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again and 2 Corinthians 9:6 we read again of this unfailing law taught by Jesus that he which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

As it is written (Ex. 16:18), He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack (2Cor. 8:15).

Just as surely as everything in nature reproduces after its kind, harvests being as sure as the sowings, so every man will reap what he sows and be responsible for his own destiny (Gal. 6:7-8). It is folly to talk about reaping eternal life when one sow to the flesh (Gal. 6:8; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 1:29-32). It is equal folly to talk about being lost if one sows to the Spirit.