When You Follow God's Instruction

Occasionally you read a verse or passage in the Bible and it sounds as if it was written specifically for our time. Such is the case with Proverbs 28:4.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

But those who keep the law strive with them.

We live in a day in which many praise the wicked!

In striking contrast, those who follow God’s instruction “strive with them.”

It is worth noting that this is an observation, not a command. In other words, Solomon is not telling his readers to start a fight with those who do not follow God’s instruction. Rather, it is a natural outcome that those who follow God’s instruction will strive with those who do not.

The young Jewish men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego provide an excellent example. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken them to Babylon to serve in his court. After erecting a large statue in honor of himself, the king ordered everyone present (all the nobles and other ranking individuals) to bow to the statue when music was played. The three Jewish men were present but did not bow. The king gave them a second chance but they told the king that there was no need because they would not bow.

These three young men were devoted to God. They kept the Law of Moses which forbade them bow to anyone or anything other than God. They did not intend to be disrespectful, yet they were striving with the pagan king because they kept God's instruction. That was simply the nature of their obedience.

There are times when a follower of God intentionally strives with someone who has sinned, such as, a brother in Christ. Even then, Jesus taught that the objective is to restore the brother. So, the one doing wrong is to be approached with gentleness and in a spirit of love. (See Matthew 18:15-17.)

Solomon provided rich wisdom concerning our interaction with fools:

Do not answer a fool according to his folly 

   or you will be like him.

Answer a fool as his folly deserves, 

   that he not be wise in his own eyes. 

--Proverbs 26:4 & 5

The simple point is that a follower of God must be wise in his interaction with those who do not follow. There is a time to speak up and there is a time to remain silent. Wisdom dictates the response.

Ultimately, however, as a follower of God, whether you speak up or remain silent, you will at some time find yourself striving with those who do not follow God’s instruction. Again, that is simply how life works.

Beyond the simple observation of Solomon, this proverb (28:4)may also be taken as a mild warning. After all, people tend to desire to fit in. So, when you do not fit in because you live by God’s instruction, you will undoubtedly appear to be out of synch with society. That may not seem threatening when it is read as words on paper. However, the experience of being on the outside among coworkers, your friend group, family, or society in general adds considerable pressure in one’s life. Jesus noted that some believers fall away “when affliction or persecution arises because of the word.” If we are serious about following God’s instruction, we must prepare our minds..

Finally, Paul reminded us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18) Even so, you must be mindful that by following God’s instruction you will naturally strive with those who do not. For that reason, make it your soul’s decision to remain faithful to God’s instruction at all costs. Your allegiance to Jesus must not be compromised.

Mark Stinnett

December 28, 2025

Who Understands?

Listen to Solomon’s proverb:

Evil men do not understand justice,

But those who seek the LORD understand all things.

--Proverbs 28:5 (NASB95)

Do you think that there might be some evil people who understand something about justice? Maybe Solomon meant that they just didn’t apply justice properly.

And, seriously, do you think that those who seek the Lord truly understand all things??? After all, I once knew a guy who….

The Proverbs were not written for the purpose of our evaluation. They were not written for us to judge whether we think they hold true or not.

• Evaluate bumper stickers.
• Evaluate sayings on posters.
• Evaluate clever maxims on wall hangings.
• Evaluate the wise and witty sayings (memes) posted by all your friends on social media.
• Evaluate emotional verses of poetry set to music with stunning background photographs.

However, when it comes to The Proverbs, don’t spend your time thinking and wondering whether or not it is true. Don’t spend your time trying to come up with examples of exceptions. Even if you can come up with a true exception, it changes nothing.

Assume that you have found an exception. Is that how you want to live your life? Do you want to depend on the exceptional cases, or would it be wiser to listen to wisdom as it is presented?

Judge the value of human sayings but not The Proverbs in the Bible. Rather...

• Learn The Proverbs.
• Spend time in The Proverbs.
• Absorb The Proverbs.
• Live The Proverbs.

Then, you will surely live an exceptional life.

Sometimes you just need to give it a little time to soak in.

Evil men do not understand justice,

But those who seek the LORD understand all things.

Accept the Lord’s wisdom!

Mark Stinnett

June 20, 2021

Instruction Regarding Homosexuality

For the sake of clarity...

The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin against God. For that reason, homosexuality is regarded as wickedness in the Bible.

• That does NOT mean that a person who is a homosexual is of lesser value than someone who is not homosexual.
• That does NOT mean that a person who is a homosexual has fewer rights or should be treated with less respect than anyone else.
• That does NOT mean that God does not love a homosexual person.
• That does NOT mean that Jesus did not die on the cross for the homosexual.

It does mean that homosexuality stands opposed to the holy character of God and the way He designed man and woman in creation. 

A few years ago the Supreme Court of the United States of America ruled in favor of same-sex marriages. The greatest legal minds of our nation stood opposed to the clear biblical instruction of the Creator in praise of the wicked.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law strive with them.
--Proverbs 28:4

According to the Bible Christians are those who are devoted to God’s divine instruction. Christians will stand opposed to the anti-biblical ruling of the Supreme Court Justices.

What exactly does that mean? What behaviors are expected? Are Christians supposed to mount opposition or use aggressive behavior?

The Apostle Paul answers:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
--Ephesians 6:12

So, there is no room for violence. There is no room for disrespect. There is no room for rejection or hate. The fight is not against those that the Bible refers to as sinners. (Remember, we all fit into that category.)

We need to see that the laws of our land do not force Christians to sin. The battle is a spiritual battle. (You or I may not like the laws, but there is no law that forces anyone to commit murder, to steal, to commit adultery, to practice homosexuality, etc.)

Christians must also understand that while the struggle is spiritual, it has become more physically aggressive in our society. Yet, we do not need to form demonstrations or lash out against anyone. Whatever changes may occur in our society regarding homosexuality, they do not justify ungodly judgmental behavior on the part of Christians. 

Do not be surprised if Christians are sometime persecuted for their faith in the Bible. Many people will misinterpret our understanding of the Bible as hatred. However, we must remain faithful to God by pursuing lives of holiness and purity. At the same time we must respond to societal changes with a patient and loving Christian attitude toward others.
After all...

The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. --James 1:20

Be wise...Be Aware...Be Ready!
Be strong and courageous!

You Won't Take Anything With You...Except...

     Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
     Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
     --Proverbs 28:6

Wealth is better than poverty: Material things.

Integrity is better than being crooked (perverse): Character.

When a man faces God he will not carry material things with him, only his character.

Choose wisely.

Something You Should Know about Generosity

How do you weigh the truth of the proverbs?

In my experience the vast majority of discussions, Bible classes, and sermons on the Proverbs have been more evaluative. What I mean is that the tendency is to read a proverbs and then try to validate it by personal experience and subjective reasoning. For example:

A Bible class teacher reads a proverb:
   A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
   But the slow to anger pacifies contention. (15:18)

He then comments by relating a story about a hot-tempered acquaintance that started a fight. Following that example he relates another story about another acquaintance who showed patience and restraint in a difficult situation; tempers were calmed.

There is nothing wrong with using illustrations, but I have a question: “What is the purpose of the illustration: to clarify or validate?”

What if we read a proverb and cannot think of a real-life parallel, is it still true?

Solomon did not introduce the Proverbs as some sort of game. He did not say, “Let me propose some thoughts. If you can validate them with your own personal experience or the experiences of others, then the sayings must be true. If not, then discard the saying.”

Solomon begged his son to listen because the proverbs contain the wisdom of God. They are true regardless of my experience or yours. They do not need validation. In fact, anyone who relies on modern-day validation is the fool. The purpose of the Proverbs is to offer wisdom through verbal instruction so that WE do not have to learn ‘the hard way': Experience.

So, what do you want to do with the Proverbs?
  Test each of them?
  Refrain acceptance until you can validate?
  Trust, listen, apply?

----------------

Now, here’s the proverb for this post:

   He who gives to the poor will never want,
   But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
   --Proverbs 28:27

Would we be so foolish to think that ‘curses’ only applied during Bible times? Would we dare think that God would not curse a person today?

We pray for and expect God's blessings...his 'good words' for our benefit. Do we really think that we are somehow immune to God's words of discipline or anger if we oppose the things He values?

If you are a skeptic, perhaps you should 'open your eyes' and err on the side of generosity.

Be wise.