Proverbs 24:23 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 24:23

Comments

Here is another aspect of wisdom for the wise to be wary of as they live alongside the wicked: they must be careful to maintain a distinction between good and evil in all their interactions with a lost world. For various reason we may come under pressure to accept the wicked and not regard them as God regards them. Of course this duty belongs particularly to judges and partiality in their case is particularly obvious and harmful to society. But all Christians must observe this principle. The warning of the verse is that the one who gives in to wickedness and redefines the standards of righteousness in order to justify the wicked - and it is probably those in authority that are in mind here – swill be cursed. He will be cursed by the people who suffer the consequences of a corrupt administration. Instead of having wrongs put right and the wicked being afraid to do evil, they are encouraged to think they can get away with more theft, dishonesty, oppression. The people know who to blame for this and turn on the rulers and judges in the land who have allowed this situation to prevail. A wise and skilful answer is like a kiss on the lips. It is a kiss given by the one who answers to the one who made the enquiry. The enquirer will have cause to appreciate the wisdom that comes out of his mouth and the spirit within him that makes him to speak, and whether he has received correction or encouragement he will treat the lesson give to him as a kiss.

Application

Parents who have a rebellious child may feel worn down by the child’s behaviour and find the home atmosphere so unpleasant that they feel they cannot continue to oppose the child any longer. They would rather ignore the child’s rebellion or even to reward them inappropriately simply to avoid contention in the home. This will be to the ruin of the child. Again, it may be that a preacher who ought to rebuke some evil practice in the church begins to think that it is all too hard and adjusts his message to appease those who ought to be confronted. He is faced with some who constantly demand that he bring in modern worship, a deeply corrupting influence among God’s people, and at first he says no, and he gives them reasons. But some with carnal tastes will not give up and come back again and again. Eventually he makes a small compromise to keep them quiet, but of course that is not enough to satisfy them, and it is done to the injury of Christ’s church. The same may happen for any believer who senses how much the world hates Christ and out of over-sensitivity minimises his witness to the world so as to avoid persecution. Others may applaud the wicked in their evil ways, because they hope to gain some advantage by doing so, and they therefore sacrifice their integrity to get something in return. All this is a serious departure from what God would have us to do.

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Proverbs 24:23 Commentary and Bible Study