A worthless person, a wicked man, is he who goes about with a perverse (contrary, wayward) mouth. He winks with his eyes, he speaks by shuffling or tapping with his feet, he makes signs [to mislead and deceive] and teaches with his fingers. Willful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it. Therefore upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy. ~Proverbs 6:12-15 AMP
Do you know a person who seems to be continually surrounded by strife and dissension? This passage describes someone who continually and purposefully undermines others, spreading false rumors, staying up late at night to plot chaos. They are the definition of trouble to others.
Such a person is worthless and wicked, according to these verses. Severe punishment awaits such a man or woman. It will come suddenly; unexpectedly. There will be no escape from the Lord’s justice when it arrives.
In contrast, consider the fruits of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Are you a person in whom others see the fruit of the Spirit? Or are you more like the one described in Proverbs 6? As a Christian, it would seem wise to consider your thoughts, words, and actions in light of these passages.
Without repentence, wicked people face destruction, without remedy. But in Christ, they, too, can enjoy forgivess and eternal life.
As you seek the Lord in your quiet time today, ask him to let others see in you the fruit of the Spirit — evidence of your redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you do know someone who fits the description in Proverbs 6, pray for them. God loves them, too, despite their wicked heart and bad behavior.
Filed under: Character, Instruction, Knowledge, Obedience, Prayer Tagged: eternal life, forgiveness, fruit of the Spirit, justice, wicked
