Tag Archives: wicked

How to Answer (Word to the Wise)

15 Tuesday Dec 2015

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The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil (Proverbs 15:28, NKJV). What does the heart of the righteous study? Do they study the Bible? The newspaper? An English grammar book? Other translations read “ponder” (ESV), “consider” (NET), “meditates” (Brenton; LXX), and “thinks carefully” (NLT). The teaching of the first-half of the proverb is this: in the context of a life lived according to a righteous way of thinking, the righteous person will be slow to answer, making sure that which is said by another is thoughtfully considered (cf. James 1:19-20). On the other hand, as the Contemporary English Version (CEV) reads, “Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.” Whether or not rashness is in view, the point is that the one who lives according to his wicked ways – what wisdom can come from him? RT

 

 

A Word to the Wise

30 Thursday Oct 2014

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The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish (Proverbs 14:11, NKJV). The house of the wicked is destroyed on two levels. First, the Scriptures are clear that one’s sins will be found out (Numbers 32:23). Second, the house of the wicked is destroyed because the moral compass one lives by can’t hold its own weight; it will surely come crashing down. As the house of the wicked is, so on two levels the “tent of the upright” flourishes. First, in the immediate, those who live by the righteous standard of the Lord can’t do anything but benefit one’s neighbor. Doubt this? Consider what loves does: it will always seek that which is beneficial to the other (Phil. 2:3-4). Second, the Lord rewards those who love and obey Him. Now that is flourishing!

The Wicked and Prayer of the Good

05 Wednesday Feb 2014

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            In Psalm 36, the psalmist reflects on the thinking and doing of one pursuing a life without God. One who lives without God is living as an atheist; that is, he live as if there is no God to who one will give an account. He also flatters himself when confronted with his sinful behavior with perverse talk and mischievous plans.

On the other hand, God’s glory encourages the thoughtful saint to put emphasis on Him, and not on human fallibility. God is merciful and firm in His judgments. Those who rely on Him find that He is also the preserver of life; a man will find his life preserved when he finds happiness in God’s wisdom. In truth he can’t help but to be satisfied and happy!

Loneliness is a miserable experience! Though there may be times when one insists on being alone, loneliness is more than just being alone; it is the feeling of emptiness and failure. God’s saint, however, is never alone; he seeks God’s peace (comfort), presence, and prosperity (favor). Those who stand opposed to God’s saint, God gives protection, and when prayer is offered it is answered.