Clean in His Own Eyes

Proverbs 16:2 "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits."

Have you ever noticed that anyone who really wants to can always find a Scripture to support his point of view? I recently dealt with such an one, who had focused in on a verse in Proverbs that allowed him, in his mind, to place all blame on the other party and justify his unwillingness to reconcile.  I knew this person to be a student of the Scriptures, and wondered how many times he had read Ephesians 4:32 concerning forgiveness, or Matthew 6:12, or Colossians 3:13, or any number of passages that tell us we are to seek forgiveness and restoration? I dare say he has probably even memorized some of them at one time or another.

All to no avail. Now he was angry, and his feelings were hurt. He intended to get even and he was determined to justify it even at the expense of the truth he undoubtedly knows. So life again demonstrates the proof of Scripture. "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes." Solomon recorded it. Paul repeated it in 1 Corinthians 4:4. We should take note of it, not only for dealing with others but also for placing a guard on our own hearts. We are very, very good at fooling ourselves. But we cannot and will not fool our Father in heaven.  He "weighs the spirits", sees what's on the inside. And his judgement is perfect, truthful and accurate.

In this man's case, God knows he's angry and hurt. God knows why. And God is waiting--waiting for him to abandon his personal pity party and call out to God for the grace to do what's right, to forgive and go forward.  That's the path to a tender spirit and sweet fellowship. The alternative, to stay angry and unforgiving, is to walk the road to bitterness and destruction.

The Apostate

Proverbs 15:10 "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

In my time as a Christian and pastor, I have known a number of folks who started well but didn't last very long. Claiming to a life change, they began to walk the walk, only to discover that the walk is a narrow way and not always easy. Like the seed in the parable of the sower, they sprout quickly, then find their faith consumed by the demands of real life. Such folks are a disappointment.

But as disappointing as they are, these are a far cry from the apostate; the one who turns from the way after many years in the faith. I have known a few, very few, fortunately, who after twenty-five or thirty or thirty-five years as faithful followers of the Lord have chosen to forsake him completely. For reasons usually known only to themselves, they turn their backs on years of fellowship with God and pitch their tents toward Sodom. They shed godliness as one takes off a raincoat, and any semblance to the new man is quickly consumed in selfish pursuits.

In Proverbs 15:10, the Bible tells us two things about such people. First, that correction is grievous to them. That is, chastisements, reproofs, and warnings don't simply fall on deaf ears, that are met with disdain and scorning. "I used to believe that, but I don't anymore," is the attitude of the apostate. Having forsaken both the way of God and the God of the way, they consider any attempt to correct them as an intrusion. They may be polite about it, but they will not hear.

The second thing the Bible tells us is that "he that hateth reproof shall die."  There are serious consequences to rejecting the way. There is a principle of sowing and reaping that the apostate knows, but rejects as being applicable to his own life. What's the old saying, "If God said it, it's true, and it doesn't matter whether I believe it or not."

O, brother, forsake not the way of the Lord. Remember what Peter said, when asked by the Lord if he would also leave Him. "To whom would we go, Lord? Thou hast the words of eternal life."