Proverbs 29:4-8 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 29:5-8, which read,

v.5 - A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps.

Simply put flattery is a trap.  Flattery has a hidden agenda.  Flattery is always covering up what is the true intent of the heart.  The flattery of this proverb has a man with the intent to trap or trip up his neighbor.  It is very far from the command to love our neighbor.  Flattery is speaking in a way to put the other off guard to later pull the rug out from under them.  Put this way we see that flattery is something we as Christians should not have as a part of our lives.  What are you saying to others that you really don't mean or that you are saying to get something in return?  You are playing Satan's game when you use flattery like he did many times to tempt others to disregard what God says because we are so great and deserve so much.  Satan spread the net out for Eve and Adam and he does the same for us each day.  

v.6 - By transgression an evil man is ensnared but the righteous sings and rejoices.

The sin of an evil man traps him.  He is caught up in his sin.  He is bound by it.  The word "transgression" is the type of sin that is a rebellion against.  The evil man knows what he is doing is wrong in the sight of God.  The opposite is the righteous man who sings and rejoices.  He is overflowing with praise.  He is released to let joy come from his lips.  The phrase "sings and rejoices" means that he is overcome by joy.  

What a word picture of the evil man caught in a trap that if he tries to get out himself, the trap just draws in tighter.  The righteous man was in that trap but instead of relying on his own wisdom he started following the wisdom of God.  God came in to cut or release the trap of sin because only He can and set the prisoner free.  The righteous one because of God's righteousness now looks back and sings to high heaven of his great God. 

v.7 - The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern.

Solomon gives us another opposite to consider.  The righteous one who is following after God has eyes and a mind for being concerned about those who are poor.  They have rights.  Many times the rights of the poor are abused or maybe not enforced because they are easy to take advantage of and to get away with it without immediately penalty because the poor can't fight back physically, emotionally, mentally, or financially.  The righteous one sees those who are poor in all those areas and looks to see how they can serve in the name of the Lord.

The wicked one is so concerned with him or herself that the poor are another object to take advantage of for their benefit.  Rights mean nothing to the wicked except their own rights.  We have a lot of this going on in our world.  We can't see beyond our own nose.  We miss out on so much that we can do because we are spending so much time marching and typing about our own rights instead of lending a hand and an ear to those who are in need of the basics of life and even life itself.

v.8 - Scorners set a city aflame, but wise men turn away anger.

One last opposite for the day is the scorners who mock others of their weaknesses or differences.  This kind of action sets fire to prejudice and violence.  The scorner uses anger to solve his problem even if it creates damage along the way that he has no intention of correcting.  That destruction is simply not his problem.  He got to say his piece and let the chips fall where they may.  The city is disposable just like anyone who gets in his way.

The wise man always thinks about the one who is before him.  He realizes to be angry is not a sin but anger can be used as a sin against another.  Anger is not the solution to the problem if you have eyes and hearts for those who oppose you.  You will not argue them into the kingdom of God.  You will not shame them with your speech into compliance.  The wise man is one who wants to defuse the anger so the flame can be put out and he can get his hands on the real problem.  The city means something to the wise man because the city is full of people that God created and loved.  

To summarize, the snare that we get caught in at times is using flattery, rebellion, unconcern, and anger to get our way.  We say things we don't mean to get something else.  We know what is wrong but do it anyways for the time being.  We champion our rights while trampling on the rights of others.  We operate with the motto that the loudest voice wins.  These are all traps that ensnare us but God can cut us out of that prison if we will follow after Him.  May our words come from the heart and be truth in love.  May our life be characterized by obedience to Him and His words.  May our eyes, ears, hearts, hands, and feet be used by God to reach out to those in need.  May our focus be to resolve in a godly way so that His peace can be seen and sought after.  Just some opposites to ponder today.  Let us pray.

"Lord, Satan spreads a net before us.  He wants us to fall into his trap.  He uses all the schemes of the proverbs we looked at today.  May we not fall for his flattery.  May we not fall for his rebellion against You.  May we not fall for having eyes only for ourselves.  May we not fall for using anger to get our way.  Help us to see that You always have a better way that sets us free to be overcome with joy!  Amen."

Pastor Adam