Tuesday, August 27, 2013

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 6:12-15”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Responsible Living: Do Not Be Dishonest: Prov 6:12-15
Responsible Living: Do not be dishonest
12) A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13) He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14) Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15) Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.


INTRODUCTION:
Transparency and honesty are two of the most difficult qualities to find in the world today.  And, yet, throughout the Scriptures we have emphasized the need for those who have trusted in Christ to be unambiguous, authentic and truthful in all of their dealings with others.  In this section of the Scriptures, we find Solomon sharing with us proverbs that describe the end result of the dishonest and insincere lifestyle ….

EXPOSITION:

12) A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
In these proverbs a dishonest and ambiguous person is described using two titles:
1. naughty – Belial, one that is worthless, destructive
2. wicked – vain, one that causes mischief and trouble
Please notice that both titles describe the deceitful one as one that does no work of lasting value, only cuasing trouble and distress.   Any Christian, who has any concern over their testimony, should abhor deception in their lives.

The actions of the deceitful man include:
1. a lifestyle of speech that distorts, twists and misrepresents the truth

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.   (James 1:21)

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.   (Titus 1:10-11)


13) He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
2.  he winks knowingly at others, revealing that his speech is less than candid
3.  the places he goes, his lifestyle also reveals his deceiving speech
4.  the works that he performs is another indicator of his dishonest words

Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,  That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest [such] words go out of thy mouth?   (Job 15:12-13)


14) Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
5.  his heart contains desires to defraud (profit from others through deception)
6.  his mind is ever planning how and when to break others into pieces and gain from the destruction
7.  his words, actions, and example spreads the sin of fighting, disunity and selfishness

The instruments also of the churl [are] evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.   (Isaiah 32:7)


15) Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
Because of their lifestyle of deception and the destruction that results they are condemned to face judgment for the sinful path they have chosen to follow…
1.  their judgment shall come unexpectedly and swiftly
2.  their judgment will result in oppression, ruin and loss of previous gains
3.  their judgment will end with their bursting or crushing (being broken in small pieces and revealed to all).  In other words all their deception will be brought into public and they will be facing Divine examination and deserved wrath.

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.(Isaiah 30:13)


SUMMARY:

Dishonesty, “twisting” the truth, and fraud has no place in the life of those who have Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  It is these very things that stand in direct opposition to the example and attributes of our Lord.  May we all see the need to reflect Christ to the world by living lives of honesty, openness, and absolute sincerity.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.




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