(Prov 21:29 NLT) The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
This morning we continue our series entitled “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Solomon often compared the actions of the righteous with those of the wicked in his writings. In yesterday’s message Solomon compared the short lived words of the liar (bearing false witness against his neighbor) with the long-standing words of the upright. In this verse Solomon ‘pulls that string’ a little further and describes the level of effort the liar is willing to put into his lying. The Bible in Basic English translation of this verse reads: “The evil-doer makes his face hard, but as for the upright, he gives thought to his way.” This hardening of the face is so that he may not expose the fact that what he is doing is wrong. The wicked man hardens his face – brazens it, that he may not blush or crack – steels it, that he may not tremble when he is checked by others or his own conscience. In his arrogance and hypocrisy the wicked person puts up a bold front. He tries to persuade people to believe him, even though he knows outright that was he is saying is full of deceit and lies. On the other hand a righteous man has to make no such effort. This man thinks before he speaks and he always speaks the truth. The righteous man is consistent in all he does and his consistency gives him a level of peace and confidence. The peaceful and confident disposition of the righteous is a stark contrast to the bullheaded bravado of the wicked.
The Message Bible paraphrase of this verse reads make it very clear, it reads: “Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.” Have you ever met someone like the wicked man described here? Have you ever met someone who faked it a lot and who overreacted – raising their voice and pumping their fists – when they were caught in a lie? These people vehemently declare their innocence only to be found out later. The English Revised Version of this verse reads: “Good people know they are right, but the wicked have to pretend.” When you walk with God and you do things His way, then you know when you are right and you don’t have to raise your voice, pump your first, or make a front about it. When you are right you are simply right and the Lord will see to it that justice is done. However, those who speak satan’s language (by speaking lies daily) are people who are simply faking their way through life. That’s no way to live.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should be honest with God, yourself, and others. This way you can KNOW that you have given careful and honest thought to your actions, you can EXPECT the blessing of God to be on everything you do, and you can REST in the fact that you don’t have to attempt to remember a series of lies. When you live your life as an upright man or woman you get to enjoy God’s best internally and externally, but when you live like the kingdom of darkness you rob yourself and others of all that you could be – all that God actually wants you to be and the impact that He wants to make in and through your life!
Closing Confession: Father, I shall be a bold witness, not a bold-faced liar. I speak the truth in love and because truth continually flows from my heart, through my lips, I am able to enjoy inner peace, quiet confidence, and supernatural faith. The liar has no such confidence, because he knows his ways are wicked, twisted, and wrong. I walk upright before You and man daily, and in-so-doing I am able to expect You blessing to flow on everything I put my hands to do. I rest in You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
