Proverbs 2:14

 

This verse really hits our culture and our nation very hard. Of course, discernment has been shown to save us from many heartaches and pains due to the wicked who live around us, and this verse develops that even further.

 

These people rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perverseness of the wicked.

 

Let us start by talking about those who do evil. There are many who are evil and enjoy doing evil. There are many passages regarding these kind of people – Proverbs 6:14; Isaiah 59:7; Jeremiah 11:15; Micah 2:1; Romans 1:32.

 

Proverbs talks even greater about this, and here is a small selection: Proverbs 1:16; 4:16; 12:20; 13:19; 14:16; 17:11; 21:10. As we can see, there are many passages that deal with those who do evil. These individuals are the ones who rejoice in the actual doing of evil. The word rejoice means to be joyful, or to take joy in. They are, for lack of better words, completely content watching and taking part in doing something evil. No matter where you look, political, social, economical, entertainment, there must be one question guiding and leading everything: Is what I am seeing, hearing, or what they are supporting, does it match Scripture?

 

If the political party, or the candidate is part of your personal preference, whether republican or democrat, and they support that which God has declared unrighteous (the attack against Godly standards, the approval of abortion, the destruction of God’s intent on genders, the obliteration of God’s command of marriage, etc.) we must really consider who we are voting for. I know the argument is, “We have always been voting for this party”, or, “sure there are some bad apples” really listen to what is being excused. Do we want to hand control over to a party that is fine with murdering babies and making it legal and easy to do so, for just one example? If they cannot be trusted with the most innocent among us, how can we trust them in matters of national, international policies, fiduciary responsibility, God given moral responsibility, or even religious freedoms? Would we hire a known murderer and child rapist to stand guard over a pre-school? I would hope not. But many “christians” so called, and even Christians, who would say they believe the Bible, will dislodge their belief simply to continue voting for their favored party. It can’t be both ways. We either support those who hold to the Bible and who will do the most Biblical policies, or we are betraying our very own belief. We could say much regarding the church and politics, as well as the Brethren historical standards, and I believe we would be wise to do so. Just not in this blog post.

 

If the entertainment is enjoyed, ask, “Is what I am doing, something I would want God to be part of with me?” So when we are watching the movies, or the shows, and we are part of the games and sports, and they have nudity, foul language, promotion of that which God has declared evil, and satanism in the halftime show, why support such an organization with our money? Is our faith real enough that it makes a difference in what we do or not? Or do we disassociate our faith from the rest of our lives so as to enjoy what we want to enjoy? If that is the case, why then worry if we have porn shows in our church? If our faith is dissociated, what difference does it make where it is watched? I mean, I heard and saw a report where the MLB supports genital mutilation in support of sex changes. Some may argue this is simply the teams. My question is where is the organization called the Major League Baseball (MLB)? Why do they allow these things to happen? They are complicit as the teams themselves, thereby giving tacit approval. We can duplicate this with the NHL, NFL (especially the satanism in the half time shows Caution: This video will have samples about what they are talking about.) , NBA, etc. Is entertainment so important, whether movies, television, sports, that we willingly sacrifice or numb our conscience as to what is going on?

 

If our businesses, and economics, both personally and publicly, are going to support organizations that then turn around and use that money to support the evil we stand against, why are we fighting against ourselves? I know the argument, where will we buy our stuff from? That is the rub, is it not? We have to buy stuff, but it seems every business has decided that social justice is more important than simply doing business. I remember when a company wanted to provide a good product for a good price, and show profit. Now, companies are willing to lose money simply to uphold a social position. We can think of the big ones: Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, just to name a few. I understand that this is the one area we may not be able to move completely away from. For that I refer to Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 8:4-13. We understand we will not be completely able to separate from this aspect. But we should be careful in how we approach this topic and 1 Corinthians 10:25-31 gives us the best response. Does this mean we just ignore? No. I will speak personally here, I will buy what I need different these businesses. However, I don’t ask questions, or seek for information from behind the scenes. I know things I disagree with are being done by these businesses but as long as it is not overtly pushed in front of me, I don’t go digging. When a business makes it known and subjects me and my family to their decision of social deprivation rather than just do a service, then I am looking for a new business to support. What if every Christian does this? What if, tomorrow, we took our money away? I know many won’t, but I would be very interested in that social experiment.

 

Surely, churches are immune, right? Wrong. Our churches, or so called churches, have become everything from just a community center to a comedy show. The “preaching” is self based, self motivation. There is very little God and all about seeker friendly pushes. Can some truth be said in such setting? Yes. But what they say in one minute that is good, they contradict the next moment. The world looks at the church and T.V. evangelist telling their members to buy them jets, luxury clothes, jewelry, and cars. They parade about in high rise mansions and vacation homes while those who are under them are barely able to pay their bills. Even so much that one of these charlatains was asked how they felt if someone, struggling to pay their rent, would send in money based on what they said about getting back. The answer, “I don’t think about it.” This “teacher” has several mansions and jets. Our churches have become a social justice organization bent on pushing the ungodly teaching of intersectionality, social justice (which is code word for marxism and communism), and wokeism. The brand of teaching called the Word of Faith talks about dominion theology, small god theology, and who knows what else. The Prosperity Gospel talks about God being nothing more than a vending machine. The mega churches in our nation have become so seeker friendly that God is a pet that can be placated simply because we say we love Him. God’s Word, if used and that is a big if, is twisted and ripped out of context. It is propped up by personal stories and the flights of fancy into mystic worlds that have a body parts room, and where God asks mankind to forgive Him or asks for their advice. These people are what Jesus called the Pharisees, a brood of vipers!

 

As we see, discernment calls for us to use wisdom in every part of our lives. Truly the following passages will speak clearly to us: Matthew 6:33; John 17:14-16; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 1:12; Philippians 2:14-15; 3:20; Titus 3:7. But notice Proverbs 2:14 does not end there.

 

These people not only rejoice in evil, but they delight in the evil that others do. These people take joy in watching the evil that others cause and do. This is why pornography is so bad. Not only does it destroy God’s gift of sex, but it also deadens the mind and chemicals in the mind. It distorts God’s intent of a man and women and the beautiful expression of their love. It objectifies women to just being used. It has destroyed marriages and families, ministries, and ministers. It has been equated to being as addicting to the most addictive drug that exists. And yet it is a multi billion dollar industry. Why? People like watching the vile degradation and lewd acts. They rejoice in the evil done by others. But tell them that it should be outlawed? Watch the reaction. It is as though their very lifeline is being cut off.

 

The scary thing of this is that those who watch this or support any of the above evils may say, “I am not hurting anyone” or “I personally don’t agree or support what they do”. But then by watching and supporting, there is tacit approval of what is being done! Romans 1:32 tells us that even those who may not be doing the actual evil will be judged because they approve of the evil!

 

The standard by which Christians are to be held and should be held is very high and hard. If our Christianity does not continue to move us deeper into our faith and walk, then our Christianity is not really doing what it should. We should, each day, desire to be closer to God, not further. Discernment allows us to see the pitfalls and evil and those who hold it and practice it, and avoid them, even if it is dressed in an outward garb of religiosity.

 

So how do we put discernment into practice? We could give commentary on this, but I believe the Word of God, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, will bring the needed adjustments. Take the time to read, Proverbs 2:14; 3:7; 4:14, 27; 8:13; 11:21; 12:12-13, 20-21; 14:16, 19, 22, 32; 15:10, 26; 16:6, 17; 19:23; 23:6; 28:10, 14; 29:6 2 Corinthians 1:12; Colossians 2:20; 1 Peter 5:9; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 2:15-16; 1 John 4:4.

 

I believe a good way to wrap this up is with these commands: Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 3:11. I will say this, I know we are all in different places in our walk. As such, I cannot say that we are sinning if we are not where I am specifically. However, the above commands are vital for us to follow and heed. Therefore, knowing the end goal is to be holy, we must evaluate ourselves by judging the fruit of our lives (Matthew 7:16), see if it matches up to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and then we are to add growth to our faith (2 Peter 1:5-8). God bless you my dear readers.