14th June 201921st May 2019 Travis Snode

The Damage of Wicked Living – Prov 28

Devotions

Proverbs helps us to see the consequences of wicked living. Though sin promises much, it leaves us little. Let me encourage you to read Proverbs 28 to see just how much damage wicked living causes us and those around us. The challenge then is to obey God’s laws, to listen to His Word, and to submit to His will. And for all of us who fall short of God’s glory, know that grace can be found when we humble ourselves and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wicked living causes…

• Fear (v.1) – flee when no man pursues. Others are afraid and hide themselves (v.12,28). Like a roaring lion and raging bear to poor people (v.15).
• Instability (v.2) – a land with wicked rulers will go through many princes.
• Oppression (v.3) – Poor people who are wicked will oppress other poor people, rather than sticking together and helping one another. (See also v.16.)
• Lawlessness (v.4).
• Confusion (v.5) – Evil men don’t understand; while those who seek the Lord understand all things.
• Shame to parents (v.7) – Heartlessly taking from parents and destroying others (v.24).
• Prayers won’t be heard (v.9) – The prayer of the lawless man is an abomination.
• Transgression and evil toward others (v.21-22).
• Dishonesty (v.23).
• Strife (v.25).

Wicked living is motivated by…

• Pride (v.11) – wise in own conceit (eyes).
• Covetousness (v.16) – But it cannot be justified by material success. God says it is better to be poor and upright than corrupt and rich (v.6). Eventually, those who abuse others to get rich will be humbled and lose everything (v.8).

Wicked living will lead to punishment – fall into his own pit (v.10), fall into mischief (v.14), shall flee to the pit (v.17), shall fall at once (v.18), shall come to poverty (v.19), shall not be innocent (v.20), is a fool who will not be delivered (v.26), will have many a curse (v.27)

Wicked living should be confessed and forsaken; not covered (v.13). Those who confess to the Lord will find mercy and forgiveness through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Proverbs 28:13