Proverbs 28:10-13 says...

Today's verses are Proverbs 28:10-13, which read,

v.10 - He who leads the upright astray to an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.

This proverb sounds very similar to Jesus words in Matthew 18:6, which reads,

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to fall away--it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea."

I point this out because I want us to see that many of the Proverbs have other Biblical examples of them or quotations taken from their principles.  They are not just some pithy quotes to know but to apply.  Jesus then follows up this instruction with the parable of the lost sheep.  Instead of leading them away it is better to go out and find them if they have wandered away.  Those who seek instead of sever will inherit along with the rest of the family of God or the flock another child back to the fold.  

v.11 - The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

This is another proverb of value.  Do I value being rich in my own understanding or do I value God's understanding even if it means that I am poor in the eyes of the world?  Whose eyes am I trying to please?  It is interesting that the one who has understanding from following after God will also be able to see the error of the rich man.  We will be able to see where the story ends and the downfalls that are possible along the way.  So let's give another New Testament reference to this one as 1 Timothy 6:10, which reads,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

You need some of God's understanding and wisdom to see that in our world today and not get sucked into the false fulfillment of money.

v.12 - When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

Both the wicked and the righteous rise.  When the righteous rise, there is celebration of the right.  When the wicked rise, there is a hiding from it because destruction is on its way.  Stephanie and I just watched another documentary on "The Hiding Place."  Stephanie actually got to meet Corrie Ten Boom in Florida one Christmas time vacation with her family.  At the time of Corrie's childhood, the wicked had risen through Hitler and the people, the Jews, were in hiding from it and him.  But then there was a rising of the righteous against the wicked and great glory came from the holding that all life is equal and precious.  

A great Bible account of this is the book of Esther.  Haman is wicked and rising and the Jews are in hiding.  Righteous rises through the actions Esther and Mordecai to face the wickedness of Haman and it says in Esther 8:15, 16,

"Mordecai went from the king's presence clothed in royal purple and white, with a great gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen.  The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy, and honor."

Here is just another example of a proverb of the Bible being played out in real life.

v.13 - He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

You Bible students out there already know where I am going to go to reference this proverb.  1 John 1:8, 9 says,

"If we say, 'We have no sin,' we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Let me give you a couple more on this very important practice to follow when following after the wisdom of God.  A psalm of David, Psalm 32:5 says,

"Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity.  I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and You forgave the guilt of my sin."

David followed this proverb in life before it was a proverb in writing.  One more is in James 5:16, which reads,

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect."

I see a lot of people walking around sick because of unconfessed sin.  They let the sin linger and it infects their spiritual walk.  Their prayers start to lose power and become token expressions because something is left between them and their God.  Actually their God is starting to change into another god if He is not followed with this well documented instruction of what to do with sin.  We need to come clean if we are going to be cleaned by the One who can clean us.

Don't bypass the wisdom of the Proverbs.  Apply them to your life today.  Let us pray.

"Lord, thank You for showing us examples in other parts of the Bible of these everlasting truths.  May our leading of others be a reflection of You.  May our values be a reflection of You.  May our actions and rulings be a reflection of You.  May our sins be confessed quickly to You.  In all of this we pray, Amen."

Pastor Adam