November 10, 2017 - - Proverbs 10:32 Righteousness versus wickedness
/The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
Proverbs 10:32 NKJV
Not that long ago I went to Service Ontario for help with job counseling. Since Carolyn and I have only one car and she needs it for work, I had to walk to my appointment and I wore jeans and a casual top. While I was there I was not treated with the basic respect I'd expect. The very next day, for my follow up appointment, I still had to walk, but this time my attire was "business casual". What a difference. I was treated with greater respect.
How easily we all can fall into this trap. We can make snap decisions about a person or their circumstances and then treat them according to our fragment of understanding.
The standards of perverse people vary with whatever fad is current. A white male is to be disregarded because of "privilege" while a someone from a particular circle of victimhood is granted more status based on the dictates of current fashion.
The standards of the righteous find their foundation in the Everlasting God and His Word. From this strength the righteous know that every person is made in God's image which means that from conception to the moment of natural death, each person has worth and dignity which has been conferred to that person from God. Therefore the lips of the righteous speak the truth in love to each person, their words are honest and their language mirrors the kindness of God.
When wicked people vent and spew their perversity, the vile culture nods approval if it accords with the latest celebrated fad. When the righteous vent and treat others with unkindness, it is hypocrisy and requires confession and restoration.
The wicked continually stir up strife and bitterness because of their devotion to the father of lies. The wicked are confirmed in their perversity and vileness because of the one they follow. The righteous seek the restoration of community because of their devotion to Jesus Christ, Who has broken down the dividing walls of hostility and restores the righteous in relationship with God and with other people. Believers are righteous, not in and of themselves, but they are made righteous by the One Whom they follow.
Rushing Wind flow through this temple, cleanse me from the dust and debris within so that my thoughts and my words conform to the standards of Jesus, the Captain of my Salvation. Amen.
