“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.” Proverbs 28:5
Devotional Thought For The Day
I’m certain to be in trouble again with those who reject the exclusivity claims of Christianity and despise the judgment that Holy Scripture places upon the unbelieving. It is not just “evil men” who end up incapable of understanding “justice” and all propriety, it is also well-intentioned, politically correct, polite and accommodating, but biblically illiterate “Christians” who fail to grasp and understand truth, wisdom, and justice. And we have an abundance of such people in our current social and cultural context – one of absurd relativism and existentialism. The commentators supply a rich example of supporting passages, and we would do well to take them into consideration. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” [Ps. 111:10] Evil people obviously lack “fear of the LORD,” and hence have not even the beginning of wisdom and understanding. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” [Proverbs 1:7]. Again, those committed to evil lack even the beginning of knowledge, and despise what might enlighten them. Or consider the proverb: “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way.” [Proverbs 1:29-31] Note the attitude toward genuine “knowledge” that exists in the heart of those who reject “fear of the Lord,” who embrace evil. “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” [Eph. 4:18] “But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” [1 Cor. 2:14] The reality is, as one commentator put it: “Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.” The problem is not principally intellectual; it is moral.
Positive assertion is also made in this proverb in regard to those who “seek the Lord.” They are able to understand “justice,” and all the wisdom that surrounds and supports it, “completely.” Now to the ignorant who have rejected the instruction of God’s Word, this is intolerable arrogance, a claim and an insult to their great intellect that compels hatred and animosity and malice. And in that Christians are taught to be humble, many become confused about this and consider it part of their obligation of humility to reject this assertion. So once again, let us consider what Scripture says about this matter. Consider what Jesus asserted: “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on My own authority.” [John 7:16,17] Note: “he will know.” Or consider what John wrote: “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it.” [1 John 2:20,21] “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. . . . The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” [1 Cor. 2:12,15,16]
Now, the wisdom and knowledge possessed by Christians is nothing to be “puffed up” and conceited about – it is all given to us and supplied to us by God, through His Word – as Jesus taught: “If you continue in My Word you are truly My disciples, and you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” [John 8:31,32] Without His Spirit we cannot “understand the things freely given us by God.” So there is no room for pride and arrogance here; these things are utterly opposed to wisdom and knowledge, and those caught in them demonstrate that they need to go back to the basics – the fear of the Lord. Such “fear” is deep repentance, acknowledgement of our sin, our foibles, our innate foolishness, our weakness, and our need to be instructed by God, and then humble joy and rejoicing in God’s gracious mercy, forgiveness, and salvation in Christ Jesus – “the things freely given us by God.” There is always room for growth, and only the foolish conclude that they have gained enough wisdom, that there is no longer need to continue growing in Christ’s Word, the Holy Scriptures. As we continue in God’s Word, in humble repentance and faith in Jesus, and genuine openness to God’s instruction, we will come to understand “completely.”
As we consider the “justice” being meted out under current laws and current “courts,” we can begin to see the deep problems afflicting the nation we currently live in, and our need for fervent prayer for our nation and its leaders. To tolerate and abet abortion, and yet to punish those who refuse pay for it, or to punish those who refuse to promote homosexuality and other sexual perversions with their business and art, pretty well reveals the state of “understanding justice” that currently prevails around us. Soon it will be punishable even to speak against homosexuality – in spite of the medical and actuarial evidence of its dangers. Unfortunately, “if the shoe fits,” if the description is apt, we must take ownership – and there is going to be hell to pay for the evil people who reject “the things freely given us by God,” and who instead pursue the wisdom of this world, which is evil and injustice. So let us commit ourselves more strenuously to praying for our nation and our fellow citizens, and to continuing our efforts to speak God’s Word of grace to others, that perhaps the Spirit of Christ will enlighten them with faith and knowledge of the truth. And we need to get past the intimidation of the unbelieving intellectual elites – who are in fact unwise and unknowing frauds. Let us pray: Lord, have mercy!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, our culture seems to be heading into ever darker, immoral, and ignorant ways. We are fearful for our neighbors and for ourselves. Grant us peace in knowing that You are working all things together for our good, for the good of Your true church. Make us ever more committed to learning from You, from Your holy and precious Word, the Scriptures. Remind us that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” so that we grow in boldness and confidence in speaking Your wisdom. Amen.