Proverbs 2:12

Here is the first thing that we will be preserved from. Notice there are two parts to this.

The first is the deliverance from the way of evil. Please understand there is evil, and there is the way that seems right but is evil. There is a third way, a less traveled way, a right way, but many will chose not to go that route. The outright evil ways have become, in our society, very much praised and glorified! Everything from politicians down to social structures, has been calling the very things that blaspheme God, as good. The Bible warns about this in Isaiah 5:20 and to revel in and celebrate these evils will rot away from the inside of our nation and people. Rome was first destroyed from within before it was conqured from without. 

The understanding of what is evil must come from a source in which there is objectivity, not subjectivity. Truth, absolute truth, is knowable, understandable, and able to be obeyed. But many do not want truth. They want their truth and their way which is exactly what was seen in Judges (Judges 21:25). Without an absolute truth, evil can be whatever society says it is, and thereby is changeable simply by the changing of times and society. The evils of slavery, just in the 1800’s was considered acceptable. Society changed and for the good, in this regard. But there have been times, when prayer, church attendance, and the knowledge and respect for God, was something that was at least given mental assent. That has now been changed to ridicule, mocking, and hatred. Those who do these things have since found anything remotely Godly as being bigoted, hateful, closed minded. Society has changed and thereby the perception of what is evil has changed. In this case, not for the better.

To have a source that is objective in telling and calling out evil requires that source to be untouched and unaffected by the sins and whims of mankind. Therefore, the only place we have is the written Word of God. As a side note, this truth should move Christians to be ardent defenders of the Bible as being inspired, and preserved. No matter what situation or social issue, the Word of God will either speak directly to that scenario, or give the principles to guide us through it. Unfortunately our culture, from the highest to the lowest, have largely ignored and cast the Word of God aside. Instead, this society has decided to go headlong after evil and wickedness which Satan has dressed up to look good and right. This right only leads to eternal death and damnation in hell.

When we are confronted with situations or concepts, the first place and the bedrock we must turn to is the Bible. The Bible alone can tell us what is right and wrong. It is the frame and standard by which everything must be done. When society and life violate the Scriptures, it is evil. 

The Bible tells us what is right, gives wisdom, and discernment. Through it we are able to be delivered from the evil way! Of course, this sets us apart from the world and we will be different in looks, words, actions, and habits. Instead of going this broad way and pathway to sorrow, it will lead us to the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

The second part deals with those who speak perverse things. These individuals speak about things which should cause anyone who has a conscience to be ashamed to hear. The Hebrew word for "perverse things" is one word dealing with deceptive, corrupt speech. The Bible is full of verses admonishing clean and pure speech. But many swear and speak evil. This is evident in the language being used, the words that are spoken, the stories that are told. It used to be that some would say, "they curse like a sailor". But now, even the women in our society have a mouth that would shame even the sailors. The evil speech is not getting better but worse. Children, and young people are using language that a few years back would have been cause for soap in the mouth. It is a shame how speech has become but not unexpected. When a nation casts of objective morality, it casts off all boundaries and barriers which preserve the nation and people.  

There is deception mixed into this evil as well. This is the speech that deceives and is filthy in the eyes of the Lord. These people blaspheme God,  speak of things done in the darkness (Ephesians 5:12), rejoice in the acts and behaviors of those who are evil themselves (Proverbs 2:14), and find themselves being corrupted in their very motives and heart (Proverbs 6:14).

They must be avoided. God said He would judge them (Deuteronomy 32:20) and therefore, for those who want and desire true wisdom and discernment, there comes deliverance. Discernment warns the believer about these individuals. Discernment helps the believer to see through the lies and deceit. 

This is a refreshing truth to us as Christians. We are spared from these people. But deeper than that, their very perverseness is one we despise and hate (Proverbs 8:13). There is protection from the filth of the world. We will be affected by it. We can see this in our culture that has decided evil is good. Our heart must burn with grief over those who are caught in sin, but we also grieve because these sins are being done in the first place.

With discernment, we are able to grieve, but we also know the truth which is repeated in Psalm 73. Habakkuk himself struggled with this. He was told of the destruction of Judah, by an evil nation, Babylon. Habakkuk argued why would God, who cannot see evil, chose an evil nation to judge a “better” nation than themselves (Habakkuk 1:12-13). God’s answer is instructive. They looked good on the outside, but Judah’s heart was evil (Habakkuk 1:4-5). God was using an evil nation to judge an evil nation!

God will spare those who are His own. Our earthly bodies may be attacked and hurt, but our soul is untouchable because we are found in Jesus Christ. This is that deliverance in one part. Another part is even physical deliverance if the Lord wills. There are many times when having the discernment between right and wrong will keep someone from getting into trouble.

Discernment is important. It is the one thing that can show our nation the right way to turn. Sadly, many will refuse to follow discernment toward the truth. Hope for our country, and all the nations, is not found in the government or society but in the pulpits. Not just any pulpit, however, but the pulpits that have the power and truth of the eternal Word of God and anointed by the Holy Spirit Who leads right back to Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and the need for repentance.

 

Wisdom and Discernment are two very important gifts we receive from our Lord and Savior, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, framed in by the Word of God. We would be wise to listen and understand.