He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Cultivate Godly Attitudes: Wisdom Not
Weakness 2: Proverbs 24:8-12
8) He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9) The thought of foolishness [is]
sin: and the scorner [is] an
abomination to men.
10) [If] thou faint in the
day of adversity, thy strength [is]
small.
11) If thou forbear to deliver [them
that are] drawn unto death, and [those
that are] ready to be slain;
12) If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth
the heart consider [it]? and he that
keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know
[it]? and shall [not] he render to [every]
man according to his works?
Solomon
now shares with us teachings on the need to cultivate Godly attitudes…
EXPOSITION:
He
continues our study by emphasizing the need to cultivate an attitude desiring to
be wise and not weak. In this section,
he describes for us several marks of those who are foolish and weak…
8) He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
A
foolishly weak person is one that deliberately plans to perform evil against
others…
A
person who plans to bring to ruin the innocent shall be given the title a master
of wicked devices.
Through
the:
a.
making plans to perform evil actions;
b.
making plans to harm those who are innocent and defenseless;
they
are clearly showing themselves as extreme in their rebellion against the Lord.
Although
the wicked will attempt to hide his wickedness, his sinful ways will eventually
be seen by his associates and will become known as one who has mastered acts of
rebellion against the Lord.
“There is [one] come out of
thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.” (Nahum 1:11)
9) The thought of foolishness [is]
sin: and the scorner [is] an
abomination to men.
A
foolishly weak person is one that rejects the teachings of His Word…
1. To make plans, without the application of God’s
Word is an act of rebellion against the Lord
2. Those that scoff and mock God’s Word are
thoroughly disgusting to men.
When
men makes plans without considering God’s Word, they are mocking His Word,
rebelling against Him, and making themselves thoroughly disgusting to those
around them. Their actions not only harm
the cause of the Lord, but, many times include bringing harm to others.
“O Jerusalem, wash thine
heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain
thoughts lodge within thee?” (Jeremiah 4:14)
10) [If] thou faint in the
day of adversity, thy strength [is]
small.
A
foolishly weak person is one is weak in times of trouble…
1. If a person grows weary and slacks off when
faced with troubles
2. it is a sign that their abilities and supplies
are very limited.
The
Lord promises that He will be with His people in times of need and will give
them overflowing sustaining grace to meet their every need. Therefore, if a person is weak in times of
distress, it shows that their relationship with the Lord is lacking:
a.
Either, they are yet in their sins (unsaved);
b.
or, as Christians, they have unconfessed
sin in their life resulting in a breach in communion with the Lord.
“Therefore seeing we have
this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden
things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God
deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every
man's conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)
11) If thou forbear to deliver [them
that are] drawn unto death, and [those
that are] ready to be slain;
A
foolishly weak person is one that is not gracious or kind to those in great
distress and need…
If
a person holds back from defending:
1. those who are unjustly facing ruin or
physical death
2. those who are wavering or slipping down a
slope into a slaughter.
One
of the great roles to be played by the wise is the defense of those who are
being mistreated and cannot defend themselves.
When a person hold s themselves back from showing kindness to the
afflicted is to outward display their foolishness and lack of understanding of
God’s will.
“[Is] not this the fast
that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy
burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [Is it] not to deal thy
bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy
house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not
thyself from thine own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
12) If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth
the heart consider [it]? and he that
keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know
[it]? and shall [not] he render to [every]
man according to his works?
A
foolishly weak person is one who excuses their sin and forgets the Lord knows
their heart…
If
a person excuses their sin by saying they did see the opportunity to help others
in need, their actions deny that:
1. the Lord closely examines their desires and
motives.
2. the Lord sustains their physical life and
observes all aspects of their life
3. the Lord will give back to men what they have
given to others.
Those
who are wise know that the Lord cannot be fooled, nor can sin be justified. The attempted justification of sin, is an outward
display of foolishness and a pride.
“The LORD shall judge the
people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine
integrity [that is] in me. Oh let the wickedness of
the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth
the hearts and reins. “ (Psalms 7:8-9)
SUMMARY:
Some
of the marks of the person who is spiritually weak due to their foolishness:
1. A foolishly weak person is one that deliberately
plans to perform evil against others…
2. A foolishly weak person is one that rejects the
teachings of His Word…
3. A foolishly weak person is one is weak in
times of trouble…
4. A foolishly weak person is one that is not
gracious or kind to those in great distress and need…
5. A foolishly weak person is one who excuses
their sin and forgets the Lord knows their heart…
May
we all possess Godly wisdom and live our lives for Him.
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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