Different Consequences

Proverbs marches on with its presentation of contrasts between two different ways; God’s way and the way of the world.  Let’s read Proverbs 11:16-21 

A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches. 17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.  18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.  19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.  20  Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.  21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

When we read passages like this one, I think it is easy to just skip over the gravity of the consequences of sin.  Phrases like “troubles his own flesh”, “deceptive work”, “perverse heart” and “abomination to the Lord” can lose their significance in the reading but they are very significant in the “living”.  If we choose to follow the way of the world and the way of the wicked, we will suffer the consequences.  We will miss out on so much that God has for us.  The choice is so clearly presented in verse 20.  Do we want to be an abomination to the Lord or do we want to be His delight?  That seems like a “no brainer” in terms of which door to choose.  So let’s pick the right way.  Let’s choose to serve the Lord and follow Him.  We won’t be disappointed with the consequences.

In wisdom,
Eric

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