The Truth In Print, June 2007 Vol. 13 Issue 5
“The List” That Justifies The Ungodly
The following text are key verses often
used in any thorough study on giving instruction and reproofs. Read them and notice
that verse eight actually tells us not to reprove a scorner!
Proverbs 9:7-9
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to
himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. [8]
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love
thee. [9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a
just man, and he will increase in learning.
The word “reprove” in verse eight means to
be right or correct. The rebuke if accepted and considered properly would
actually help, for rebukes are designed to save us from what deceivers allow
that bring God’s wrath (cf. Titus 1:9-14; Pr. 28:23, 27:5-6, Ps. 141:5). But in
the case of the haughty scorner we are warned not to, because the purpose of convicting
such a person of their sinful conduct doesn’t have a chance. The “do not reprove” (Pr. 9:8) in context stands in
relation to the point in verse 7. And verse 7 speaks of the mistreatment one
will get should they do so. Compare what the Lord commanded: “Give not that
which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest
they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matt. 7:6).
This instruction is there because it is the right thing to do (cp. Ps.
119:128).
We are to understand that the “dogs” and “swine” have no regard or use
for instruction from God’s word, which is “holy.” Moreover, their mistreatment
of the one who gives instruction from God’s word is severe! David’s words
apply, “Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel
hatred (Ps. 25:19).
Matthew 7 presents certain things that are closely said that may be tied
together to correctly understand the wicked and their ways. In the context the
wicked are hypocrites who “look at” the speck because it belongs to another’s
eye, but refuse to see the “log” that is in their own. They will say to
another, “Let me take the speck out of your eye” without having the wisdom to
do that and do it correctly. The mind described here justifies its own wicked
self. They have great concern for
“specks” but have failed to cleanse themselves of from “all filthiness” of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord (2 Cor. 7:1).
The warning concerning “ravenous wolves” states the facts plainly — the
wicked will justify themselves while seeking to destroy the just (Matt. 7:15).
You can know the dogs and swine by their attitudes and behavior that are the
works of the flesh (cf. Matt. 7:20; Gal. 5:19-21). The world knows them by
their lack of “light” as they walk in darkness though professing to be a
Christian (cp. John 8:12; Phil. 2:15; I Jo. 1:6). The mind that justifies its
own wicked self while sinfully mistreating and condemning the just is an
abomination to God (Pr. 17:15).
Having no real concern for the whole of
God’s commandments and doing all He requires (cf. Ps. 119:160), the wicked will
often “keep records” of the specks — be they specks or logs. They are known for
their carnal “record keeping” (cp. I Cor. 13:5, “take into account”). And “the
list” always, so far as they are concerned, nullifies their present sin and
justifies their not receiving a rebuke for it! Dogs and swine are known for
carnal “record keeping” that seeks to condemn the righteous who have repented,
and to justify the ungodly who continue to mistreat them while ignoring their
own sins (cf. De. 25:1).
Illustrating our own desire that God does
not keep record of sins repented of, David said, “Remember not the sins of my
youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy
goodness' sake, O Lord” (Psalm 25:7). Again in Psalms 130 we read, “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O
Lord. [2] Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
[3] If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? [4] But
there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Ps. 130:1-4). God
does not hold a grudge over our sins repented of, but rather forgives us that
we might fear Him. God will do the same for the sinful record keeper if he will
repent and turn to Him for guidance (cf. Ja. 4:6-10).
The wicked “mark” our sins in order to use
them against us in an unrighteous way. Using the wisdom that is not from above,
but is earthly, unspiritual, and from the devil, their outbursts of anger are
full of “the list” (cf. Ja. 3:14-16;
Gal. 5:19-21). When finished with their rage, at least for the moment, they
will snicker and say, “You know I just have to get that off my chest from time
to time.” With this kind of intimidation they expect you to not call it what it
is. By their own words they show that they have stored up anger and bitterness
in their heart! More correctly the “chest” is the heart and the wickedness just
proceeded from the heart (cf. Mk. 7:21-23). Take heed lest after their rage you
justify them in their ungodliness by saying, “That’s ok, you didn’t do anything
wrong.”
Such intimidation by use of “the list” is
just another way of taking the present righteousness of the righteous away from
them! (cf. Isa. 5:23). When it comes to this then “do not reprove a scorner,
give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before
swine.” The time for giving meaningful instruction has ceased. You can mark and
avoid such (Rom. 16:17). Why? Because they cannot speak the truth with you and
you with them, and judge with truth and righteousness (cf. Zech. 8:16). They
think their carnal tactic is according to justice! They say, “My righteousness
is more than God’s!” If they don’t walk in “all” God’s ways they don’t love Him
and serve Him with all their heart, and they will not judge and be judged by
all He says! (cf. De. 10:12-13). Hear David,
“Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge
uprightly, O ye sons of men? [2] Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the
violence of your hands in the earth” (Psalm 58:1-2). In their heart they work wickedness and that
is why they don’t speak righteousness!
Obviously, if he hates you then you
haven’t convicted him of anything (Prov. 9:7). Wicked Ahab in 2 Chron. 18 is an
example of hating the one who rebukes you. When Micaiah spoke of his death,
Ahab’s hatred and pride blinded his eyes to what was really going to happen to
him. His anger recorded there is a sign of hatred. Ahab dealt in proud wrath
(cf. Pr. 21:24). He was arrogant and careless with God’s anger. And so was
Jehoshaphat! (cf. 2 Ch. 19:2). Read about Ahab and understand that rebukes are
designed to save us from God’s wrath. Moreover, know that “You” are not the
real problem for it is the truth that says their deeds are evil that is “their”
real problem. Like Ahab (I K. 21:20-29) they themselves are the problem! Read
in John 7 where the Jews had no problem with Jesus’ brothers because they were
not speaking out against them as He was. Jesus said, “The world cannot hate
you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are
evil” (Jo. 7:7). Speaking to the wicked He condemned their judging as not being
righteous (Jo. 7:24). And that is
exactly what is wrong with “the list.”
Solomon tells us that the wicked do not
love the one who reproves them, and they do not go to the wise for counsel
(Prov. 15:12). This is certainly not the attitude of the faithful. The faithful
will go to the wise, accept reproof as being love when they deserve it, and
then continue to love the one who gives it. And upon receiving it they assure
all that they can yet speak against the wicked and their wicked deeds! (cf. Ps.
141:5-6). The just man doesn’t use the
carnal tool known as “the list.”
What characteristics do members possess when
they do not go to the wise? They seek the solace of friends who are best
friends yet not Christians — knowing in
advance that God’s word will not be correctly applied to their situation. How
convenient! Having been rebuked they often will hate the teacher or preacher,
and intentionally miss class, and the assembly, and then lie when asked why.
Too often they know that ignorant family members who are partial towards them,
even when they are rebellious, will accept their lie or look the other way. Or,
their anger will show up during the few times they do come because the truth
continues to disturb their sinful pride. Above all, like Ahab they are arrogant
and careless with God’s wrath. They’ll go ahead and keep doing the very thing
God’s word tells them not to do. Solomon said,
“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and
is confident” (Pr. 14:16). When they are disturbed by seeing the penalties for
sin falling upon others around them who reap what they sowed in this life —
they can’t turn to God’s word for relief for it condemns them and shames them
(cf. Ps. 119:5-6). Of course, they turn to the world’s methods that justify
them in their ungodliness (psychology).
The anger of the wicked often extends beyond
the particular one who offended them and they take revenge out on others. This
is what Asa did when his pride would not let him accept a rebuke (cf. 2 Ch.
16:9-10). They will gratify their love
of strife by taking their anger out on another family member of the one who
offended them (cf. Pr. 17:19). Without
conviction of sin their acts of revenge can go on for years and even up until
they die! Again, wasn’t it Asa who remained angry because of his pride even
when he had a severe disease? 2 Chron. 16:12 says, “...yet in his disease he
sought not to the Lord…” Even in
sickness he was the “fool who rages, and is confident.” He foolishly
continued to not seek God’s solutions!
By
Bob Lovelace