Proverbs 24:23-26 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 24:23-26, which reads,

These also are sayings of the wise, to show partiality in judgment is not good.  He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," people will curse him, nations will abhor him.  But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.  He kisses the lips who gives a right answer.

We are coming to the close of these extra proverbs of the wise that Solomon has given us in addition to his.  We will finish them, Lord willing, this Friday along with the chapter.  The proverb today is about our assessment of good and evil and also our appropriate response to it.  Let's first refer back to Proverbs 17:15 which says, "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD."  We recognize that this is just the opposite of what we should do.  We should justify the righteous and condemn the wicked.

Other verses to refer to is another long sentence from Paul in Romans 1:28-32.  Listen for some of the words that we have mentioned in the book of Proverbs.  Paul knew this book well.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Key in on that last phrase of this very long sentence, "but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."  What is bad is called good and what is good is called bad.  When we agree with evil it not only goes against God which should be our primary reason for not giving partially to it but we will also receive the curse of the people.  This curse is coming from those who are following after God.  This is a curse of hypocrisy coming from an open partially of calling what God calls wicked good.

The flip side is if we agree with God and uphold what is right and rebuke what is wicked than we receive from the people who are following after God a delight and good blessing.  It is if God is kissing us on the lips for speaking righteousness.  A very intimate and appropriate response between those who are married is given because of love and God gives those who follow after Him and respond with obedience to His words and ways a very intimate and appropriate response of His love.  

I have said this before but will say again.  We live in a world that tries to make us laugh at what is wicked in God's sight and instruction.  The world tries very hard to get us to laugh at wickedness and then it is one step closer to doubting what God says about it and then one step closer to condoning it.  It is hard to not laugh and to say "no" in the world that we live in that wants there to be no rules given against perceived personal rights and preferences.  You are going against the flow when you refer to God who lays down the law and we follow after it with obedience because of His first love for us and then our response of love back to Him.  
The proverb of the day is to keep your "yes" as a yes by God's standard and your "no" as a no by God's standard.  Don't mix the two up.  Keep going to God each day to renew your mind of His love for you to give you the way to live to glorify Him.  

I end this blog today with a remembrance of where I was 6 years ago on a Monday after preaching that Sunday.  I was in a hospital room in Grand Rapids waiting for a surgery to remove the cancer from my body.  I am thankful to say at this point I am cancer free and giving all the glory to God.  Thank you for all of your prayers and concerns for me.  I do not want to take them lightly but say that I am humbled by your love and God's love for me.  Let us pray.

"Lord, we live in a mixed up world because of sin.  We are sinners and only by Your grace do we know to follow after You because of Your Son's death and resurrection.  May we be strong in You to keep to Your instructions throughout the Bible and here in the book of Proverbs.  May our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no" in accordance to Your Word.  Amen." 

Pastor Adam

A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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