PROVERBS
Lesson 11: Rewards of Righteousness\Consequences of Sin"The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness." (Prov. 16:32).
The book of Proverbs often reminds us that what we do in life will bring back to us a result. In this final lesson we look at the rewards that righteousness will bring and the consequences that will result from sin..
The first thing any person ought to consider about their actions is how will this be regarded by Almighty God. "A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will He condemn" (12:2).
"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (3:3-4). "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD" (8:35).
"They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight" (11:20). "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness" (15:8,9).
Weigh every action with the question, will this bring me the favor of God or the condemnation of the Lord?
We cannot place our reputation with men above our reputation with God. What He thinks is most important of all. We must, however, still care about how our conduct affects others and is viewed by others. Reputations do count (I Timothy 3:7). "The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot" (10:7). "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured" (13:18). "When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting" (11:10).
"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (3:3-4). "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him" (16:7).
"He that perverteth his ways shall be known." (10:9). "The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men" (24:9). "An unjust man is an abomination to the just" (29:27). "A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame" (13:5). "A man of wicked devices is hated" (14:17).
A third significant result of any person's conduct will be the result upon their family. "The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand" (12:7; also 14:11). "The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just" (3:33). "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him'' (20:7). "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones" (12:4). "He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy" (17:21). "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him" (17:25).
The Apostle Peter stated, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it" (I Peter 3:10,11). Similarly, Proverbs shows us that obedience or disobedience of God's can have an impact on how long a person's life lasts, as well as how much they enjoy those years. "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death" (12:28).
The Blessing of Long Life on the Righteous - "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones" (3:1,2,8). 'The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened" (10:27).
The Destructive Effect of Sin on the Wicked - "And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof" (1:18-19). "They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them" (1:31-32). "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray" (5:22-23). "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death" (8:36).
Quality of Life - "The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin" (10:16).
Joy - "In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice" (29:6). "Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy" (12:20).
Satisfaction - "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself" (14:14). "The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil" (19:23). "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him" (12:14). "The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want" (13:25).
Security - "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil" (1:33). "For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee" (3:2). "The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity"
(10:29). "Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them" (22:5).
Confidence - "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion" (28:1). "For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken" (3:26). "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge" (14:26).
Stability - "A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved" (12:3). "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief" (24:16).
Direction and Purpose - "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble" (4:18,19). "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness" (11:3,5). "Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things" (28:5).
Almighty God is at work. He sees what is taking place. His wisdom, His law, and His providence give the godly protection and care. "The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked" (10:3). "The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead" (11:8). "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner" (11:31).
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (11:30). "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death" (14:32).
"Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off" (23:17,18). "When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth" (11:7). "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered" (11:21). "Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out" (24:19,20).
Questions:1. Name four realms in which a person's conduct will have an impact:
2. Explain some specific ways that obedience to God's law might lengthen life or disobedience might shorten it.
3. Tell why "the fear of the Lord" gives "strong confidence" (14:26).
4. Would you agree that many of today's generation lack direction and purpose in their lives? If so, give some examples.
5. What does Proverbs 24:20 mean when it affirms that the "candle of the wicked shall be put out"?
6. Cite proof from Proverbs that the rewards and consequences of conduct
extend beyond the grave.