“The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.” Proverbs 29:24
Devotional Thought For The Day
This proverb requires a bit of explanation, principally in regard to biblical context. The principle upon which this proverb is based is clearly stated in Leviticus 5:1: “If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity.” So, it is not only in regard to sins of theft, but any sin which has caused harm and injury to another which can be eased by court administered justice, requires that witnesses come forward and testify to the truth. The “public adjuration to testify” obligates all to the pursuit of justice in a matter, and places a “curse” upon any who obstruct that justice by their silence, their refusal to testify against another, including their partner in crime.
It is difficult for us to accept the obligations that good, love, and righteousness place upon us, and to acknowledge the utter and weighty guilt that accrues to those who lie, distort the truth, or withhold the truth when compelled to testify. It is also difficult for us to understand the utter damnable guilt that accrues to those who slander others by manufacturing lies or by exaggerating evils. False accusations bring the very guilt of the false charge upon the liar; but withholding true testimony does the same – it brings the reluctant witness under the same penalty as the perpetrator. So our efforts to protect the guilty, and to protect ourselves from penalties we deserve for being “partner” in sin with another, actually brings the penalty of death upon us, for this indicates impenitence, and impenitence rejects the gracious mercy and forgiveness of God. Apart from God’s mercy “the soul that sinneth, it shall die,” and “the wages of sin is death.” [Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23]
The warning is against even being a “partner” with others in any sin. Such arrangements are self-destructive and evidence of the horrible warping of our sinful nature, that it hates its own existence. When we acquiesce to the thoughts and desires of our sinful nature we are affirming this self-destructive and self-loathing nature. The realization of these dynamics led the apostle to cry out in lament: “Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death?” [Rom. 7:24] Such painful and traumatic repentance is answered: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” [Rom. 7:25] But apart from such repentance we remain under the curse and death for we are refusing to acknowledge our true guilt and our need for such clemency and mercy from God.
In truth, whenever we act like we are above such guilt and sin we are rejecting the “public adjuration to testify,” for the essence of Jesus’ teaching is that we “repent and believe the Gospel.” [Mark 1:15] It is a tragic, self-destructive, and maniacal effort when “Christian” churches seek to eradicate repentance and public confession and instead seek to “affirm people in their goodness.” One of the more pitiful and painful experiences we have is listening to people who claim to be Christians “tooting their own horns” and parading themselves as such “godly people” that they are near perfection. The warning of this proverb applies to all such hypocrites. But the invitation of the Gospel is to God’s eternal grace and mercy, to that forgiveness in Christ’s blood which cleanses away all sin and guilt. Such forgiveness negates the need for duplicity and falsehood. It is to this blessedness that we are called, and it is this blessedness which enables us to avoid evil and to act in genuine love.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, the dynamics of our sinful flesh are treacherous beyond our understanding, and we are easily lured into partnership with sin. We are well-trained in defending our involvement in sin and remaining silent about our guilt. Grant us wisdom to confess all sin, and enable us to seize the joy of Your gracious forgiveness and mercy. Deliver us from the greater guilt of lying, distorting, and denying our evil. Help us to participate more fully in truth and all that is good. Amen.