Proverbs 2:15

 

Our text is showing us another person which discernment protects us from. This individual is crooked and forward in their paths. Once again, the image of our life as a journey is pictured in that of a trail or path. There are two different types of paths that our lives can walk on. One is straight and clear, and the other is twisted and dangerous. This type of setting reminds me of an island I used to camp on, this is very vivid in my imagination. The island I used to camp on could be crossed easily...during the day. But the path had a lot of ups and downs, twists and turns, and in some places were overgrown. If I tried to walk from one side of the island to the other, it could be harrowing, if I didn’t have light. It would have been easy to trip over rocks, or branches, and very easy to step off the path where it was overgrown. Discernment requires us to look at the path and those who walk on it with us. Which path will we tread on?

 

Of course, discernment is vital. And as we read our text, we see these individuals have crooked paths. What is crooked? Crooked, according to the Bible is that which is perverse. But a great definition found is from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Here is what it says, “[it] is a descriptive term in hamartiology that emphasizes the perversion and twisted nature of sin.” (TWOT pg 693). What we find, with this word for cooked is that it really reveals the type of person being described here. And it should cause us, who are Christians, to be guarded against these people.

 

Before we look at the places where this word is used to get a deeper characteristics, it is important to realize how sin twists truth. Let’s look at two examples. First example is sexual immorality. The Bible talks about how sin is done outside of the body, but sexual sins is different (1 Corinthians 6:18). This sexual sin is just one of many sins which sin twists. As such, instead of calling out sexual immorality, sin turns it around and excuses it by saying, “It is just free love.”, or, “It is consenting adults.”. This rug sweeps what the Bible tells us about sexual purity and how important it is to God and before God. Another example: lying. The Bible tells us that we should not lie. How does sin twist this? “Oh, it is ok to lie so you do not hurt anyone.” or, “It really was just a little white lie.” or finally, “I did not lie. I merely twisted truth a little.” The Bible gives no quarter for this. Therefore, according to the Bible, a lie is a lie is a lie (and no that is not a mistype). We can do this time and again with every aspect of our society and life. But I am praying, dear reader, that you, as you are reading and following our logical progression through Proverbs, are able to do this on your own. This is discernment growing in your life and I hope you see that as well.

 

So now we have how sin twists the Scriptures to help us feel good about ourselves, let us now see how this twisting comes about. This word is used eleven times throughout Scripture. What picture does this paint of those who are crooked on this twisted path of sin?

 

First, we see in Deuteronomy 32:5, these people are corrupted and are not the children of God. This denies their eternal life with God, as they are not saved. Even if they do try to wrap themselves up in doing good or “serving God”. How do we get this? Matthew 7:21-23 we see there are those who are even casting out demons (or so they say, and we can see how false this gets with deliverance ministries so called). Or they do good works. Many, very, very good works. But what does Jesus say? He never knew them. Therefore, they were doing what they were doing and were not even saved! So it was a lie to begin with. How can this be? Perhaps it would be good for us, as Christians, to revisit 2 Corinthians 11:12-15, and not just in a passive, precursor, glance. Maybe we should study it so we can be equipped when we run across these false teachers, even if they do sound like preachers of the Gospel. It is not THE GOSPEL that God gave us in the Scripture.

 

Second, those who are perverse, or crooked, are an abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 11:20). We will revisit this but there are many who may appear nice, but if they are in their sin, they are crooked. If they are crooked, they are an abomination to God. How easy is it to fall into this trap? Very. Sadly, many churches and denominations, instead of calling out sin, they try to help these sinners feel comfortable, or welcomed. But what does the Bible say? Those who are in sin, do not love God. What does that look like? 1 John 2:15-17 tells us that to love the world is to not have the love of God. This may sound soft, except then we couple this with James 4:4, it is not just not having the love of God, it is actively being an enemy of God! This is why James 4:8 becomes important. Sadly, many who try to support those who are crooked, in their crookedness, are doing nothing to help them. Then we see it is not just being an enemy, it is a burning hatred of all that is good – John 3:20. We can continue this further, but I believe we have left enough groundwork to pursue this further if wanted.

 

Third, there can and will be no good to those who are of a deceitful heart – Proverbs 17:20. Sadly, many true Christians wonder why the evil seem to have everything in this earth, and we have addressed that already. They really do not have anything other than this world and therefore, they are to be most pitied. True good is being in a place of right standing before God. In that place, we may not have all the world does, but notice what Hebrews 11:38! Who really has the goodness? It is not the world. That is going to pass away but look at Matthew 24:35 and 1 John 2:17. We also find, in Proverbs 17:20, and Proverbs 28:6, this thought goes even further. Those who are poor are indeed BETTER!

 

Fourth, the only thing that the crooked will find on their path is not good – Proverbs 22:5. Just as that island would have caused hurt and pain, had I not had a flashlight, or the sun itself, those who walk in the crooked path will be as though they are walking through a path that will absolutely shred them. Why would anyone be envious of these people?

 

Of course there are other uses for the word, but these are the four main characteristics that discernment helps protect us from. But here we also find the devious in that path. Devious is also a very bad thing to be part of. The word for devious is used only six times. The main focus here is that these people depart from where they should be. Of course, each time this is used, it is to be warned against it (Proverbs 2:15, 3:21-32, 4:21, 14:2, Isaiah 30:12).

 

Discernment helps protect us, who use it, from these people. This path is dangerous for believers to use and travel on. Brothers and sisters, do not fall into this trap. When we see these people who have these characteristics, discernment tells us to run, and run fast. By running from these people, we are actually running toward God. But let us not leave these people in the sewege of sin. Jude tells us to try and rescue them: Jude 1:23. But notice what this does. It is not helping them feel comfortable or encouraged in their sin. It is not telling them that God just loves them. It is telling them how they stand before a holy and righteous God. We do this because we love them. But we hate their garments they are wearing.

 

Instead, we want to see them repent of their sins and be dressed in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). It is only through this clothing in righteousness that we are able to be part of the kingdom of God (Matthew 22:1-14). That is our prayer, and that is our cry. But, dear believer, do not allow wolves to infiltrate and destroy you from the inside. Do not allow them to lure you away from the Gospel (Galatians 1:6). Instead, use discernment to see the truth, mark them, and avoid them (Romans 16:17-18)