Read Proverbs 28
I read Proverbs 28 in the New Living Translation.
My thoughts on Proverbs 28:
The wicked flee when no one pursues them. Could it be guilt, fear of getting caught, judgment? The righteous are bold as lions. Why? Because we fear God, respect authority, and stay away from doing evil. "For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation." (Romans 13:3 AMPC) Wicked - râshâʻ, morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:— condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong (Strong's H7563) Outline of Biblical Usage of Wicked - criminal, guilty one, one guilty of a crime, wicked (hostile to God), wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man) Strong's H7563) Righteous - tsaddîyq, just:—just, lawful, righteous (man) (Strong's 6662) Outline of Biblical Usage of Righteous - Just, righteous in government, one's cause, in conduct and character, justified and vindicated by God, right, correct, lawful (Strong's 6662) Bold - bâṭach, to trust, be confident or sure:—be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust (Strong's H982)
Moral rot, transgression of the land, a country in chaos, everyone has a plan to fix it. But it takes leaders with wisdom, discernment, understanding, and knowledge to bring stability. Believers must pray for those in authority, whether we like them or agree with them, not talk about them and certainly don't attack each other based on politics. It's through unity that we can initiate change. Our words are powerful and what we say we will live individually and corporately. "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT)
Don't forsake or reject God's law or the laws of the land. To reject the law, God and man's, is to praise the wicked. "You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me." (Psalm 119:1-4, 8 MSG)
Always choose honesty over dishonesty. Remember, lying is one of the seven things God hates. "Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family." (Proverbs 6:16-19 MSG) "Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight." (Proverbs 12:22 AMPC) "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his speech and is a [self-confident] fool." (Proverbs 19:1 AMPC) "For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men." (2 Corinthians 8:21 AMPC)
Turning away from God's law, an unwillingness to know and follow it causes your prayers not to be answered. Make knowing God a priority. "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." (Joshua 1:8 AMPC) "The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree." (Psalm 19:7-9 MSG)
Be careful not to mislead people or plan evil for them. What you plan for others may happen to you. "Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him." (Proverbs 26:7 AMPC) "They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads." (Psalm 7:15-16 NLT)
I'm just going to put these two verses right here and remind us all to pray! "When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves." (Proverbs 28:12 AMPC) "When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh." (Proverbs 29:2 AMPC)
Pray that those with authority over us would gain understanding and receive godly counsel. "Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14 AMPC) "Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished." (Proverbs 15:22 AMPC)
Treat everyone fairly without partiality. "If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well. But if you show partiality [prejudice, favoritism], you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as offenders." (James 2:8-9 (AMP) "For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]." (Romans 2:11 AMPC)
Stealing from your parents while thinking there is nothing wrong with that makes you no better than a murderer. Instead honor your parents. "Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother—this is the first commandment with a promise—That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:2-3 AMPC)
Be careful of leaning on, trusting, or being confident in your own mind or heart. Get skillful and godly wisdom. "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!" (Proverbs 3:5-7 MSG) "Get skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth." (Proverbs 4:5 AMPC)
Give to the poor. You'll lack nothing. "If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!" (Proverbs 19:16 NLT) "Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets." (Hebrews 13:16 MSG)
The verse that spoke to me:
"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." (Proverbs 28:13 NLT)
My takeaway:
We serve a God of do overs and He gives us multiple times to get it right! His love and mercy surround us if we avail ourselves of it.
“God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me.” (Psalm 51:10-11 MSG)
God’s Word provides forgiveness, new mercies, and no condemnation, that allow us to begin again.
Do not conceal your sins. We can take courage in the fact that there is forgiveness for sin and that the enemy is the accuser, not God.
No matter how messy we get God can, and will, clean us up and use us when we have a repentant heart.
To receive forgiveness and cleansing:
"If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." (1st John 1:9 AMPC)
Holy Spirit convicts. He does not condemn. Don't be bound in condemnation if you are a child of God. Don't believe the lies of the enemy because we don't live there.
Remember that there is no condemnation from God towards us:
"Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." (Romans 8:1 AMPC)
We can never use up all of God's mercy!
Each day brings new mercies:
"It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 AMPC)
We can walk boldly in God’s forgiveness, rest in the knowledge that He doesn't condemn us, and enjoy His faithfulness and new mercies each day. When we make Him our portion, we can be assured that when we fall, He will help us get back up, and get us back on track, when we have totally surrendered our life to Him.
FAITH CONFESSION:
Lord, thank You that because of Jesus, You count me as righteous. Because of this relationship I can cry out to You for help and You hear me. Thank You for not only hearing me but delivering me out of all of my distress and troubles.
Lord, I treasure that You are close to me when my heart is broken. You save me when I am crushed with sorrow. You forgive my sins when I ask You for forgiveness. Thank You for relationship that causes You to look down and see me. I love You, Abba Father.
In this Lord, let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, through me.
Share in the comments what verse spoke to you and why. Let's grow in wisdom together.
Be Encouraged! ❤