(Prov 24:1,2 GNB) Don’t be envious of evil people, and don’t try to make friends with them. Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 22nd Saying: an Admonition against the Envy of Evil Persons. This is not the first time Solomon has given us this type of warning. Actually, not too long ago, with the 15th Saying, Solomon said, “Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.” The emphasis there was on us, on our ability to keep our hope in and on God. The emphasis here is on the evil person. Solomon wants us to know that their heart is simply not in the right place. All they ever think about is causing trouble, strife, discord, dissension, and conflict. It’s like they get some sort of perverted pleasure from seeing others unhappy. Another translation says, “The purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble.” I am sure we all know people who fall into this category. Solomon’s message to us today is to stay away from them and by no means should we actually envy them or pattern ourselves after their wicked ways.
Way back in chapter one Solomon talked about this as well. He said: “My child, when sinners tempt you, don’t give in. Suppose they say, “Come on; let’s find someone to kill! Let’s attack some innocent people for the fun of it! They may be alive and well when we find them, but they’ll be dead when we’re through with them! We’ll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot! Come and join us, and we’ll all share what we steal.” My child, don’t go with people like that. Stay away from them. They can’t wait to do something bad. They’re always ready to kill. It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching, but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die. Robbery always claims the life of the robber—this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence” (1:10-19). There is a lot we can draw from this passage. Solomon warns us about this type of person and he tells us to stay away from them, making it clear that they will ultimately receive their reward.
My question is: why is this even an issue? Why should Solomon have to tell us to stay away from people like this? I believe it is because we (yes, even believers) sometimes develop a sort of wicked affinity for the wrong things. A great portion of our modern entertainment—whether it be movies, novels, plays, etc.—is based on wickedness, evil, and violence. For whatever reason audience members have a perverse attraction to, and even an affection for, mischief. I am a big “action movie” fan, but unfortunately many of the action movies today are so filled with filth that I can’t stand to watch them. While violence is bad enough, I can stomach the violence, what I can’t stomach is excessive cussing and unnecessarily long sex scenes. My wife and I have had to walk out of several movies. Not long ago my cousin asked me why I refused to watch a certain movie and I told him it had too much cussing in it. He did not see a problem with it until I explained how what you allow through your ear and eye gates actually gets down into your heart.
So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that you must protect your heart. Don’t allow yourself to be overly exposed to the wrong things. Too much exposure to the wrong things will lead to you becoming the wrong person!
Closing Confession: Father, I protect my heart with all diligence. I know that the course of my life will be determined within the recesses of my heart. If I allow my heart to get polluted with perverse thinking, then I will make poor decisions and reap the repercussions of them. I shield myself from the wrong influences, I surround myself with positive and Godly people, and I feed on a constant diet of the Word and positive input. By protecting my heart I am protecting my life, the lives of my family members, and my legacy. I want to make the impact You birthed me to make, therefore I will do all that I can to receive the type of input that will lead me down the path You desire for me to take! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
