An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
There are so many ways to be defrauded via email and text alone that I often wonder if the people who do these things would not make far more money using their obvious talents in honest pursuits. The proverbs agree with that sentiment as they portray the fraud as an accident waiting to happen. There are inherent blessings in clean living and the author of this proverb has hit upon it. Working for an honest living and performing self care will prevent poverty, illness, and imprisonment, while fraud and drunkenness will lead into troubles with the law, rehab, and possible death. These proverbs are not written to rob us of joy but to teach a way to attain it.
Jesus has come to make a foolproof way to have joy and to prevent the heartache that our sin brings on ourselves. He is not selling us fool’s gold when he promises that those who believe in him have eternal life. He is not the fraud that he was accused of being by the Pharisees. In response to his gift, we live clean lives to please him, thereby gaining the earthly blessings that come with it. Many people struggle with sin and sorrow and blame everyone else. May we be thankful that Jesus lifted us out of that pit and showed us a more excellent way.
Dear Lord, thank you for the Bible, the Proverbs and the Way. may we be thankful each day that you have called us to yourself. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church