Proverbs chapter 10 verse 22: The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Verse Context
The Book of Proverbs, authored primarily by King Solomon is filled with practical wisdom for daily life, drawn from God’s eternal truth. Proverbs chapter 10 begins a series of short sayings that contrast the ways of the righteous and the wicked. In this verse, Solomon points to a specific kind of wealth, not just financial, but spiritual and emotional abundance, that can only come from the blessing of the LORD.
The Hebrew word translated “blessing” is berakah (בְּרָכָה, beh-rah-KAH), which refers to divine favor or benefit. To be blessed by God is to receive something from Him that brings peace, stability, and purpose. When Solomon says “it maketh rich,” he’s not limiting that to money. It includes a richness of life; joy, fulfillment, relationships, contentment, and eternal hope. And most importantly, He addeth no sorrow with it. Unlike worldly gain, which can bring anxiety, guilt, and destruction, God’s blessing brings peace with no hidden burden. The world may give you wealth and fame that ultimately destroys your soul, but when God gives, it uplifts and purifies.
This verse also teaches us something deeper: God’s blessings are not random acts of kindness. They are covenant-driven rewards for obedience, reverence, and relationship with Him. While the wicked may appear to prosper, their gain is often stained with sorrow. But for the righteous, every good gift is holy and sustaining.
Broader Context
Understanding what the Bible means when it talks about being “blessed” is essential. Many people believe blessings are merely material or circumstantial; health, money, a new job, a happy family. But scripture offers a much richer picture. God’s blessings are not limited to the physical. They are rooted in a relationship with Him.
Throughout scripture, God does indeed show kindness to all people. This is often referred to as common grace. In Matthew chapter 5 verse 45, Jesus teaches: “For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” This means that even those who reject Him may still enjoy the warmth of the sun, the bounty of harvest, and the joy of family life. These are temporary, earthly blessings, not the spiritual, eternal blessings reserved for His people.
For those who are saved, redeemed through Christ, there is another category of blessing entirely. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3 says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” These are blessings of adoption into God’s family, the indwelling Holy Spirit, divine wisdom, eternal inheritance, and peace with God. These do not belong to the unbeliever. He may show mercy for a time, but He withholds the covenantal blessings that belong to His people.
Application
Appreciating God’s Greatness
God’s blessings are never random; they are personal, purposeful, and perfect. He knows exactly what His children need and provides it in a way that brings joy and peace without regret. That is a mark of His goodness. Even when He blesses the unbelieving world with food or beauty or comfort, it is a sign of His long-suffering love, giving them more time to repent. And when He blesses His children, He does so with eternity in view.
For the Believer
You are blessed because you are His. Whether your bank account is full or empty, whether you feel strong or weak, you are under the blessing of the Lord if you belong to Christ. Do not measure your blessing by your circumstance. Measure it by your position in Christ. The world cannot take away what God has given you. Walk in gratitude. Trust that every hardship is filtered through His hand and every joy is a whisper of His love.
Call to Action: Praise Him today for the spiritual blessings you often overlook. Salvation. Forgiveness. His Word. His Spirit. His promises. Rejoice that you are among the blessed who are heard when you pray. And never forget, He adds no sorrow to what He gives.
For the Unbeliever
If you’ve been living outside of God’s will, recognize that what you’re enjoying now, your health, your home, your success, is temporary. These are not proof that you are right with God. They are proof that He is merciful. But He desires to give you so much more. A new heart. A renewed mind. A cleansed soul. The kind of blessing that endures. But you must come to Him through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Until you do, your prayers are hindered, your soul remains lost, and your blessings are fleeting.
Final Encouragement
Being blessed doesn’t mean being lucky or rich or happy for a moment. It means being right with God. It means receiving from Him what the world cannot give. The blessing of the LORD truly does make us rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for being the Giver of true and lasting blessings. Thank You for blessing us with things far greater than gold or comfort. Thank You for hearing our prayers, for guiding our steps, and for granting us peace. Help us to walk in obedience so we remain under the covering of Your favor. And for those who have not yet believed, open their eyes to see that You long to bless them with life, not just now, but forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing
If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.
You are loved, so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.
Proverbs chapter 4 verses 19 through 27 “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
VERSE CONTEXT
The book of Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, as noted in Proverbs chapter 1 verse 1. Solomon reigned during Israel’s golden age of peace and prosperity, and he was famously granted divine wisdom by God (First Kings chapter 3 verses 5–14). This wisdom formed the foundation of much of Proverbs, a book designed not just to teach knowledge, but to train the heart in discernment and godly living.
Proverbs chapter 4 forms part of a larger discourse from Solomon to his sons—or more broadly, to all who desire to walk in wisdom. It combines fatherly instruction with spiritual urgency. The passage from verses 19 through 27 closes the chapter by drawing a stark contrast between the wicked and the righteous, using imagery of darkness and light, blindness and sight, confusion and direction.
Verse 19 opens with, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” Here the word “way” means not just a path, but a course of life or behavior. The “darkness” symbolizes moral blindness, ignorance of truth, and separation from God. Wickedness is not merely about breaking rules—it’s about walking blindfolded through life and then being shocked by the consequences. This darkness is not just around them—it is within them.
Then the tone shifts from describing the wicked to exhorting the righteous. In verses 20–21, Solomon urges his son: “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.” The use of the term “attend” means to focus deeply or give undivided attention. The image here is one of leaning in, clinging to truth with the ears, eyes, and heart. Solomon is saying: Don’t just hear wisdom—absorb it. Memorize it. Guard it. Live by it.
Verse 22 adds, “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” The word “life” here is not poetic fluff—it refers to the life-giving, soul-preserving effect of godly wisdom. Similarly, “health to all their flesh” is a Hebrew idiom implying wholeness of being—mental, spiritual, and physical well-being rooted in righteous living.
Then comes the heart of the passage in verse 23: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” This is perhaps one of the most quoted and misunderstood verses in Proverbs. The term “keep” means to guard or protect like a watchman. The “heart” in Hebrew thought is not just emotion—it is the seat of your mind, will, and conscience. To guard your heart means to vigilantly protect your inner life—your affections, thoughts, motivations, and desires. Why? Because, Solomon says, “out of it are the issues of life,” meaning the entire direction of your life flows from what is inside. A polluted heart will always produce a polluted life.
Verses 24–25 move outward from the heart to the mouth and eyes: “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” A “froward” mouth refers to a dishonest, devious, or twisted tongue. The call here is to purify not just what we think but also what we speak. Likewise, the eyes symbolize focus and intention—Solomon is urging his reader to walk in single-minded pursuit of righteousness, not distracted by temptation.
Verses 26–27 conclude with a final call to examine your path: “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” The verb “ponder” means to weigh out carefully or measure. Solomon is saying: Be intentional. Evaluate where you’re going. Don’t drift—walk with purpose. And when you sense the temptation to deviate—whether to the left or the right—don’t entertain it. Don’t step into it. Step away.
In this final sequence, Solomon maps out the anatomy of godly living: guard the heart → purify the speech → fix the gaze → evaluate your walk → refuse evil. It is a progression of inward discipline to outward holiness.
This passage closes not with poetry, but with spiritual marching orders. And for the believer, it serves not only as a warning but as a guidepost for a life of integrity, wisdom, and victory.
BROADER CONTEXT
The broader context of Proverbs chapter 4 verses 19–27 rests in the full framework of the chapter—and even more broadly, in the flow of the first nine chapters of Proverbs. These chapters serve as a foundational instruction manual for moral and spiritual living. They are written as father-to-son discourses that urge the reader to pursue wisdom, reject folly, and walk in the fear of the LORD. The father in this case is Solomon, who—under divine inspiration—is passing down not only practical advice but theological imperatives rooted in covenantal obedience.
In Proverbs chapter 4, Solomon takes a deeply relational and urgent tone. He begins by reminding his children in verses 1–4 that he himself was taught by his father—David. There’s generational wisdom at work here: David taught Solomon to seek understanding, and now Solomon passes that same instruction to his children and to us.
The chapter builds around two contrasting paths:
The path of the just (verses 11, 18),
And the way of the wicked (verses 14, 19).
This contrast reaches its peak in verses 18 and 19, which serve as the hinge point between the two life outcomes. Proverbs chapter 4 verse 18 says, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” That’s the righteous path—it grows brighter, clearer, more stable. In contrast, verse 19 (where your selected passage begins) immediately switches gears to show that “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” This is more than just poetic contrast—it is a prophetic warning: what you choose to love will determine whether you walk in increasing clarity or increasing blindness.
Verses 20–27 form a climactic instruction at the end of Solomon’s appeal. He is no longer simply giving general advice; he is telling his son (and by extension, every believer): this is how you survive and thrive in a fallen world. Guard your heart. Speak carefully. Watch where you look. Weigh where you walk. Don’t drift into sin.
This portion of Scripture also fits perfectly into the entire structure of Proverbs, where wisdom is treated not as a mere skill, but as a moral and spiritual alignment with the character of God. Chapter 1 verse 7 famously says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Everything that follows is built on that foundation. To walk in wisdom is to walk in reverence before the Lord, with clean motives and intentional steps.
Theologically, Proverbs 4:19–27 anticipates the New Testament’s call to inward transformation. For example:
Matthew chapter 15 verse 19: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications…”
Luke chapter 6 verse 45: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good…”
And most profoundly, Romans chapter 12 verse 2, which urges believers to be transformed by the renewing of the mind—not conformed to the world.
Additionally, the “two-path” theme in Proverbs echoes the teachings of Christ, particularly in:
Matthew chapter 7 verses 13–14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate… for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction…”
In light of all this, Proverbs chapter 4 verses 19–27 offers more than practical advice—it provides a spiritual blueprint for those who desire to walk in righteousness, avoid moral blindness, and be firmly established in the way of life. It teaches us to pursue internal purity over outward performance, and it anchors the believer in the truth that our direction always flows from our affection—that is, from the condition of our heart.
APPLICATION
The passage from Proverbs chapter 4 verses 19 through 27 is not simply instruction—it is divine invitation. It invites us to examine the path we are on, the condition of our heart, and the direction of our lives. This is where theology turns into practice—where biblical wisdom becomes the map for daily living.
Appreciating God’s Greatness
This passage shows us that God is not a distant lawgiver, but a loving Father who guides, warns, and protects through His Word. The fact that He tells us how to live well—how to guard our hearts, watch our words, and weigh our steps—demonstrates His care for every detail of our lives. He does not leave His children to stumble in darkness. He provides light, clarity, and stability in a world filled with confusion. That is an act of tender mercy and sovereign love.
Moreover, it is only because of God’s nature—His holiness, omniscience, and immutability—that the wisdom in Proverbs holds up across centuries. The paths may change, the scenery may shift, but the God who designed the heart and the way of life does not change. This passage reflects His unchanging faithfulness and the enduring truth that He knows best how life works because He is the author of life.
For the Believer
For believers, these verses are a daily roadmap. We are called to live wisely—not just for our sake, but as witnesses of the One who saved us. If we claim to know Christ but live without guarding our hearts, speaking carelessly, or walking aimlessly, we send mixed signals about our God. But when we live intentionally—watching our words, focusing our eyes on righteousness, resisting detours—we reflect the wisdom and holiness of Christ.
The command to “Keep thy heart with all diligence” should be a daily practice. We are to guard our thoughts, examine our motives, and filter what we allow in. Whether it’s through media, relationships, music, or thoughts, what enters the heart will eventually exit through behavior.
When Solomon says “Let thine eyes look right on” and “Ponder the path of thy feet,” he is challenging us to live on purpose—not haphazardly, not drifting from one emotional whim to another. This means believers must evaluate what we pursue, where we go, and who we follow.
Call to Action:
Start your day with a heart-check: What am I desiring most?
Speak slowly and intentionally. Put away froward lips. Speak life.
Guard what you watch, what you listen to, what you let influence your heart.
Take time each week to evaluate your path. Where are your feet taking you spiritually? Is your walk straight or drifting?
Don’t just avoid sin—“Remove thy foot from evil.” Be active in your resistance.
For the Unbeliever
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
To the unbeliever, this passage is a warning—“The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” A person without Christ may believe they are walking in freedom or autonomy, but the Bible says they are in darkness, stumbling without even knowing the cause. That’s a terrifying state—lost without awareness of being lost.
But God, in His mercy, offers light. These verses are not just for the disciplined or religious. They are for the broken, the wandering, and the confused. If your heart feels chaotic, your direction unclear, your steps unstable—God is inviting you to a better path.
The way of Christ is the only way where the heart can be changed, the path can be established, and the darkness can be driven back. Jesus Christ, the true wisdom of God (First Corinthians chapter 1 verse 24), is the only one who can transform the heart that is prone to wander and give purpose to the feet that have strayed.
You don’t need to clean yourself up first. But you must be willing to repent, to stop trusting your own understanding, and to follow the One who is the Light of the World.
There is no more urgent command for today’s believer than this: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” That is not just a verse to memorize—it is a reality to live by. The heart, as Scripture teaches, is not just the emotional center of man but the very control tower of our will, affections, and intentions. When our heart is unguarded, our life will drift. But when we guard our heart with God’s Word, the rest of our life falls in line—our speech, our vision, our direction, and our resistance to evil.
You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control what takes root inside of you. The call here is not just behavior modification—it is heart transformation. And that begins by keeping your heart close to the Word of God, hidden in it (Psalm 119:11), cleansed by it (John 15:3), and ruled by it (Colossians 3:15–16).
Solomon’s message to his son becomes God’s message to all of us: Don’t follow the path of the wicked. Don’t live in darkness. Instead, attend to His words. Fix your eyes on righteousness. Guard your heart like a sentry. Speak what is holy. Walk with purpose. Step away from evil.
Because that’s the path that leads to life—not just long life, but abundant life in Christ.
Encouraging Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the light of Your Word that exposes every dark path and shows us the way of life. Thank You for loving us enough to warn us and for giving us wisdom to guard our hearts. Lord, help us to be diligent. Help us to watch what we allow in, to speak words that please You, to look straight ahead without distraction, and to walk in a way that honors Your name. If we are off the path, correct us. If we are blind to danger, open our eyes. If we are weary, renew our strength. Let our hearts be soft to Your instruction and firm in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
CLOSING
If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.
You are loved—so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
VERSE CONTEXT
The book of Proverbs was primarily written by King Solomon, the son of King David. Solomon’s purpose in writing Proverbs was to impart wisdom, teach moral discipline, and provide practical instructions for living righteously before God. Proverbs is often categorized as wisdom literature, emphasizing godly character, discernment, and practical righteousness.
Proverbs chapter 6 contains warnings against sin, including laziness, wickedness, and immoral behavior. The specific passage we are studying today—verses 16 through 19—highlights seven things God hates, reinforcing how much He abhors sin in action and intent. These seven sins are not just random evils, but a list of behaviors that disrupt society, destroy relationships, and pervert justice.
Key Theological Insight on God’s Hatred of Sin
One of the most striking aspects of this passage is that it does not merely state that God hates sin in an abstract sense, but it shows that God hates those who practice these sins.
This is crucial because modern Christianity often emphasizes that “God loves the sinner but hates the sin.” While there is truth in that God is love (First John chapter 4 verse 8), the Bible also makes it clear that God’s wrath is directed toward unrepentant sinners who persist in wickedness. In this passage, we see that certain actions make a person abominable in God’s sight.
The term “abomination” in this passage refers to something detestable, utterly repulsive to God. This is not a passive disapproval—it is an intense hatred of these wicked behaviors.
Commentary from Theologians on These Verses
Charles Bridges (1794–1869, Reformed Anglican): “This is no common loathing. It is the holy revulsion of a pure God against what defiles His creation. Man excuses his sins, but God declares them an abomination.”
Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Presbyterian Minister): “It is not said that God dislikes, but that He hates these things. He who is all love and goodness, yet burns in holiness against those who love what He abhors.”
John Gill (1697–1771, Baptist Theologian): “The enumeration here is of those sins which are destructive, both of personal integrity and the welfare of society. They corrupt a man and defile a nation.”
These commentaries confirm that these seven sins represent the destruction of holiness, justice, and social stability.
BROADER CONTEXT
This passage fits within the broader theme of God’s justice and wisdom in Proverbs. The entire book repeatedly warns that sin leads to destruction and that wisdom leads to life. Proverbs 6, in particular, contrasts righteous living with wickedness, showing that God is not indifferent to sin.
This is an essential truth in understanding the Bible as a whole. God is both merciful and just. While He extends grace to those who repent, He actively opposes those who persist in rebellion. The seven things listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 are not just individual sins, but patterns of behavior that undermine justice, truth, and love.
The entire book of Proverbs calls people to reject wickedness and seek wisdom, because God will ultimately judge the wicked.
APPLICATION
Appreciating God’s Greatness
God’s hatred of sin is rooted in His holiness and righteousness. He is not indifferent to wickedness, nor does He tolerate sin as something trivial. This passage should lead us to fear God rightly, recognizing that He does not take sin lightly. Instead of treating sin casually, we must view it with the same seriousness that God does.
The fact that God hates sin means He is just. He will not allow the guilty to go unpunished, nor will He overlook evil. This should bring comfort to those who are oppressed, knowing that God will bring justice.
For the Believer
For those who follow Christ, this passage should serve as a warning against participating in the very things God hates. We must ask ourselves:
Do I display pride or arrogance?
Do I speak falsehoods or exaggerate the truth?
Have I ever harmed someone unjustly, even with my words?
Do I devise evil in my heart, seeking revenge or plotting harm?
Am I quick to engage in sinful actions?
Have I ever spoken falsely about someone to cause them harm?
Do I stir up division instead of bringing peace?
This list is convicting because it reminds us that sin is not just what we do, but who we are when we act apart from God.
Call to Action
If you find yourself guilty of any of these sins, repent immediately. God’s mercy is available to those who humble themselves, confess, and seek His righteousness.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in First Corinthians chapter 6 verse 11: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
If you have fallen into these sins, there is hope and cleansing through Christ.
For the Unbeliever
If you are outside of Christ, this passage serves as a warning—God hates wickedness, and those who practice these sins will face His judgment. Proverbs makes it clear: God is not indifferent to sin.
The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 6 verse 23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
There is only one way to escape God’s wrath—through Jesus Christ. He took the punishment for sin on the cross, and if you repent and believe in Him, you can be forgiven.
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
This passage should make us take sin seriously, but it should also drive us to God’s grace. We do not fight evil with more evil—we fight it by turning people to the truth in love. Hate is never the answer. Bombing abortion clinics, attacking others, or stirring up division only makes one guilty of the very sins Proverbs condemns.
God has called His people to be light in the darkness, not destroyers in the darkness. As James 1:20 reminds us:
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Rather than responding with anger or violence, let us confront sin with truth and love, calling people to repentance. Because God is the Judge—we are simply His messengers.
You are loved, so much in fact that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.
So many times I have heard how the Old Testament (OT) has no meaning in today’s life. I have heard that once Christ came on to the scene all that was, is no more. All things are made new. I even have heard people, in the same sitting, tell me that Christ changed all that, and then used the OT to validate their thought. In Jesus fulfilling the law all that is left is faith in Him. In some ways, this is absolutely true. We no longer offer the annual blood sacrifice for the covering of our sin. Christ’s blood sacrifice was the completeness of the sacrifice. There is no other sacrifice that can do anything more than that which Jesus dying on the cross has already done. But the New Testament does not negate the Old Testament. There is so much that is alive and just as effective in the application to our doctrine and daily lives. As I read the 21st Proverb, I was overcome with this feeling. Every single instruction of how to live and every example of God’s view of right and wrong are just as true today as they were when King Solomon wrote them.
Proverb 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
The very first verse pierces my heart as it tells me that my God has every heart in His hands. First, we must understand that the word “heart” here really means the mind of man. I have said over and over, the true heart is just a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. It does not create feelings and thoughts and words. The heart does not control our behavior. It is a vital organ, and we should care for it. But the brain is the hub of where we generate our behaviors. God controls even the King’s mind. I think of all the times that we read about how God hardened or softened a heart (mind). How much further do you have to go than the story of Joseph who was sold into slavery and ended up in the house of the Captain of the Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. God had Potiphar’s heart in his hand and cause him to have favor for Joseph. He made Joseph the superintendent of his house. Because he would not lay with Potiphar’s wife, she makes accusations against Joseph and he ends up in prison. God had the Warden’s heart in his hand and caused him to have favor on Joseph. He made Joseph the jail keep. There he interpreted dreams of a baker and cup bearer. The baker was reinstated and after 2 years of forgetting about Joseph, the Pharaoh was having bad dreams that no one could understand. The baker remembered Joseph and told the Pharaoh of the dreams Joseph interpreted and how he predicted rightly that the cup bearer would be executed but that the baker would be reinstated. The Pharaoh called for Joseph. After interpreting the dreams, the Pharaoh did not let Joseph go, but God had the Pharaoh’s heart in his hand, and God directed it like the waters of rivers. He directed Pharaoh to make Joseph the Vizier, the second in command of all of Egypt. The most powerful thing is that the Pharaoh was not a believer. Being a sinner is no match for my God. Let us not forget, that the most evil of all evil, falls in the end. In the hands of the evil and wicked Pharaoh, Joseph went from slave to convict to Second in charge of all of Egypt, and having great influence on the Pharaoh as well. Make no mistake, these simple words, the introductory declaration, are simple, but carry great power when you stop and ponder that the God who had the Pharaoh’s heart in his hand and cause great things to come upon Joseph is the same God who sits on the throne and can be in charge of your life if you believe that He still has man’s heart in his hand. And that sets the tone for this proverb. It is one of wicked compared to righteous. There is no gray area in obedience to the LORD. Either you are living a life serving the Master, or you are living a life serving satan. There is no third party. There is no gray area.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Most of us, if we are being honest with ourselves, think we are right about a lot of things. Some of us are good at admitting that we are wrong about something, but only after being shown that we are wrong. Most of us start off by thinking we are right. Our faith is no different. Those who reject God think they are right. Those who accept Christ but twist the word of God to suit their own flesh think they are right. There are so many different ways to take this, all ending with the same, we really do think we are right in our behavior. The real story is in the proverbial heart, or literally the mind. That is where God does the examining.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee says, and I am paraphrasing here, Jesus is the great physician, and a heart specialist. Jesus was the first in the heart transplant business. He was the first one to take the old heart and replace it with a heart that is obedient to him.
“Man is right in his own eyes. The proud heart is very ingenious in putting a fair face upon a foul matter, and in making that appear right to itself which is far from being so, to stop the mouth of conscience….. God looks at the heart, and judges of men according to that, of their actions according to their principles and intentions; and his judgment of that is as exact as ours is of that which we ponder most, and more so; he weighs it in an unerring balance.”
I do believe that the one thing that Christian behavior has gotten far away from is principle. I think today’s society has convinced even the strongest of Christian that independent and free thinking is best. Being empowered to be you is better than compliance to any norm, including the biblical living Christ calls us to embrace when we accept Him. I fear that we have gotten away from things like principled living, and things like reverence. We have diminished God to someone we can take off a shelf when we need him, and put him back on the shelf whenever we are moved to be empowered or free thinking. We can truly see this as church after church, denomination after denomination allow the unrepentant sinner to enter the pulpit, behind the sacred desk (if your church even has a pulpit or a sacred desk anymore) to lead others. Think about weddings. Most of the Christian Faith have an objection to same sex marriage. But at the same time, the church that refuses to marry a same sex couple will marry two drunks who never attend church or even make confession for Christ. Think about that for a second. The idea of justice is righteousness or holiness. What is righteous about marrying one pair of sinners, but not another. Either we observe God in the boundaries of marriage or you do not. Of course, anyone behaving like this will open the scriptures and find something they will use to justify their position because they are right in their own eyes. But read what the king wrote here. To be just is acceptable to the LORD. Meaning the LORD is watching. We can explain our sin to each other all we want. Explain it to God; give the LORD all the excuses and let’s see how he judges us in return.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The plowing of the wicked.—i.e., their work, all they do; for it is not done to please God but themselves; nor carried on in His strength, but in reliance upon their own, and therefore it is “sin,” not pleasing to Him.
How we live is important. In the four verses above we see pride of man being brought to light. A high look, a facial expression that has your nose high in the air, a look that says that you see me but you turn your head from me as if I am not worthy of your acknowledgment. When God looks into our mind and He sees us, He sees the sinful pride. There are many things to be proud of, to be pleased with. The way to know the difference is to compare your thoughts to God. Jesus would never look down on anyone. Jesus would never allow His joy, pleasure, or simple contentment in any accomplishment to lead to the pain of another. He came as a humble servant, not as one who thought he was better than anyone else, or that their children are better than your children, or my home is better than your home, job than your job, paycheck/bank account than your paycheck/bank account. We see that God certainly did give us brains so that we can ponder life, and temptation, and think about them righteously. Jesus was tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted. There was nothing that satan had that Jesus did not already have. This is not true for us. Sometimes the temptations look so good, they smell, taste, feel and sound so good. To have diligent thoughts is to take into consideration God’s will. To do so leads to abundance. It may not be abundance of what your flesh wants, but it is the abundance that God wants you to have. Quickly, lets examine sexual sin. I am a heterosexual man. My flesh loves beautiful women. My lust desires them. Satan offers me all the women I can have. My God has already blessed me with a beautiful and wonderful wife. I have a choice to make. To be diligent in thinking about it, if I take all the women I can have, I might think that to be a great abundance. But an abundance of what? Pain, sickness, divorce, poverty, loneliness, and a great big hole where true companionship once lived? I had an abundance of women that led to death. Yet, if I diligent consider the gift God has given me, I have a life filled with love, companionship, peace, joy, and a life after death because my behavior was pleasing to God for bringing Glory to Him. That is the abundance He wants us to have. So as His, as a follower of Jesus, it is my responsibility to align my wants with His wants. I do not want, nor need the life of abundant women. I need abundant love.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
“The flat roof of an Eastern house was often used for retirement by day, or in summer for sleep by night. The corner of such a roof was exposed to all changes of weather, and the point of the proverb lies in the thought that all winds and storms which a man might meet with there are more endurable than the tempest within.”
Whom we chose to spend our time with in important. I believe that the command to not be unequally yoked is not just a command for marriage, but also close friendships. We should be a friend to all, and we should always be prepared to let the light of Christ shine whenever darkness knocks on our doors. But when it comes to who we allow into the sanctuaries of our homes, and in the case of marriage into our own bodies as we become one, we should be certain to be equally yoked. Having said that, a brawling man is unbecoming. But I believe that men and women were designed for two totally different purposes. I believe that men are the hunter gatherers. They were designed to be the rugged piece. The woman however is the nurturing piece. For her to act like him is highly unbecoming. The bible does not refer to the woman as the weaker vessel as a testimony of a lack of strength, but of pricelessness. Again, a biblical principle that satan has used society and very determined sinners to destroy. Here, the bible is saying that it is totally unacceptable to be with a brawling woman. Brawling meaning loud and storming voice, violent, filthy mouth, and prone to verbal arguments/fights. God is saying that it is better to be exposed to the scorching sun, violent wind and sand storms and torrential rain storms on the roof of a house, where there is no cover, than to endure this type of woman in a luxurious home, with all the amenities. This behavior is not Christ like from male and female. But again, there should never be any mistake that, while man and woman were both made in the image of God, and that in the pure spirit form all will be equal, there was a specific and real difference between man and woman. I truly wish the church would do more to preach the difference between man and woman. Especially in the home. We are truly off the mark.
When I was not walking with God, thus called wicked, I focused only on what I wanted. This came to a great expense for others, as I would violate others during my quests to satisfy myself. Christians are command to love our neighbors. We ourselves are to be good neighbors. The wicked have no such principle. It is only about their gain. No matter what the behavior, a wicked man does it for his own good, even if it seems to suit the neighbor.
If you stand in the mirror what will the reflection tell you about yourself, and what are you going to do about it? May the peace of God be abundantly heaped upon you and your house, straight from the cross to the Christian!
Why should the Christian speak out against wrong doing? Why should the faithful earnestly try to teach the faithless? Why is it important to do both, the acts of loving service that lets the light of Christ shine through us, and the act of loving correction? Why is it not okay for Christians to be tolerant?
As I read this morning, I was led to two passages of scripture.
Hebrews 12
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Notice how God uses the structure of the family in His instruction. If you can take just a moment and consider how your own household, how your own children, how you and your authority in the house, would operate if you treated it with the exact same reverence, or lack there of, as you do to the Father in heaven.
If everything is just about love, no rules, no accountability, no consequences for choices, then why did God create a hell? Let me ask it this way, if all there is is love, then why do you need time-outs? Why do you have rules in the house? Shouldn’t you be more tolerant to your child’s disobedience? You are probably saying that this is not the same at all, but it is. It is exactly the same. When God talks any where in the bible about his relationship with us he uses familial terms. Marriage, bridegroom, bride, father, son, and so on. He is using something that we are very familiar with because we all go through it. Some of us have great experiences of the family, others not so much. But God says, through his word, that this is what a family looks like, this is what rules in the house looks like and this is what consequences look like. Now many people are thinking that God’s love is what saves them instead of thinking that BECAUSE of God’s love there is a pathway to salvation. However, it is the very thing they are claiming will save them from hell without them repenting or living in faith that will condemn them, the love of God. A parent cannot have multiple children, and then tell them that this is the reward for obedience and that this is the consequences for disobedience, and then share the same reward with both the obedient and disobedient children. How do you think that would go over with your kids? How would that have went over with you when you were a child? You may not have been able to stop it, but what would you have thought of your parents. You see, if God does that, then he makes himself out to be a liar, a fraud, unfair, unrighteous, and will bring wrath from the minds of his children against him. There is nothing that God does that earns our wrath. Anything we do that has a negative consequence is a result of our own unacceptable and fleshly intervention. So when believers say, on behalf of a sinner, that Christians should stop hating and start loving by not talking about the consequence of sin is death (pure bible words by the way) you are completely misunderstanding, egregiously misrepresenting and grossly underestimating God’s love.
Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived, according to the bible. The book of Proverbs are know for pure and never outdated wisdom. Just reading one proverb a day, every day of every month, is an exercise a lot of Christians do just because of the wisdom in these chapters. I wasn’t going to give you a whole chapter, but chapter 29 is full of the wisdom about right and wrong, and correction. These God inspired words tell us that there is good in the leadership of obedient Children of God, and there are indeed consequences for disobedience. It tells us that the love we often use to justify sin does not work with the wicked. That people who live in sin bring about wrath, not peace.
Proverbs 29
29 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
At the end of the day, no one likes to be corrected. But for the purging of sin from our life, it must be done. For the purpose of raising children, it must be done. In just one home that has no discipline and structure you can see the fate of an entire country that is slowly doing the same. Leaving the rules and codes of morality up to man is no different than letting the kids run the house. Let them make up their own rules and see how fast the parent is out the door. There is one difference between the father that lives in the home, and the Father that lives in heaven. The Father will never be divorced from his bride the church, He will never be evicted from heaven (someone much more powerful than man tried that once and failed huge), and He will have the last word.
I chose to follow that Father, I chose to follow those rules, I chose to be obedient (and I know I will fail daily, but I will be obedient in seeking his forgiveness and I will forever seek sanctification), and I will forever love my brothers and sisters on earth so much that I will never stop speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
If you stand in the mirror, what will the reflection tell you about your relationship with God and what are you going to do about it? May the peace of God be abundantly heaped upon you and your home, straight from the cross to the Christian!
Believers of Biblical Truth 
You must be logged in to post a comment.