“ He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.”

- Proverbs 14:2

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We are in Proverbs 14, ( We have done a walkthrough on Prov 14:1 and the challenges of being a wise woman previously ) — this proverb is a head scratcher if you dig below the surface…

Why should one walking in uprightness -FEAR- the Lord, ( shouldn’t it be Love? ) and more to the point, why should a perverse person -DESPISE- Him? 

After all, The Lord has not stopped the wicked ( to a very large extent ) from doing what they want —- they enjoy every privilege that the God-fearing get… air, water, sunshine, life, friends, family…. without any interference from Him —- why would they despise Him? What’s the beef?

If you are an atheist, there is no God, and so there is no need to despise anybody, right? More to be pitied, than despised ( in their view ) are people clinging to a fiction that an invisible God is watching their actions, or cares about them! 

If you are a rational person, you will admit that we live in a weird and wonderful universe ( and planet filled with life ) that we HAD NO PART IN CREATING! That is the crux of the debate…. where did all this come from? Well, we believe the Bible, but even if you don’t, you will have to admit that SOME AGENCY ( intelligent or not ) put all of this in motion.

Now, is that Agent, to be despised, feared, loved, worshipped ? Your opinion is yours, but we would strongly urge you to read the Bible ( or even our posts ) to understand how the Biblical worldview explains not only the natural ( eg Great Flood and the Cliffs of Dover, fossil record issues ) but also the para-normal/spiritual — ghosts, spiritual entities, ufos, the character of man, and the spiritual/ human tragedy that is evil. Don’t take our word for it, do your own research!!

So to the Proverb …. :  the upright man RESPECTS —- the rule of Law ( natural, divine, man made ), and by extension, the Lawgiver/maker who we cannot see, but whose fingerprints are all over the observable universe, and the smallest unintelligent atom does not deviate from these laws by even an iota!! 

That is the genesis of our respect, admiration, and FEAR…. being on the wrong side of such an entity/individual is foolishness!!

So why do the perverse ( non law abiding ) DESPISE Him? 

The answer is that they are rebelling against the natural order of things. They do not want to toe ANYONES line… or be held to account for their actions!

God doesn’t need a tape recorder to note down if you have been naughty or nice… your deeds are recorded irrevocably in the past for all time! It is their own record of their actions ( in the face of His revealed wisdom ) that will judge them on the last day … every idle word, vengeful murder, adulterous act, hypocrisy…. no one skates His Justice!!

And that, is the problem. The Words of the Bible bring every thought and action under the spotlight of right and wrong, and people do NOT like to be told , far less even admit, that they are in the wrong!!  Therefore, telling them that their actions will bring down the wrath of God on them only brings out the bitter bile of scorn, hatred, and mocking.

The Lord extends His Grace and Favor to all, but if you choose not to think or act rationally or lovingly with the human race, you have only yourself to blame for the world you create for yourself, and let us not beat about the bush, there WILL be a reckoning, for a price MUST be paid !

“ He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” - Romans 8:32 

We like to focus on the second part of the passage, it’s much more cheerful and optimistic…. but the first part should turn the blood in your veins to ICE!

He did not let His own son skate, but held Him accountable and punishable for the sins of the perverse. He Himself ( in the person of His Son ) did not spare Himself the pain and suffering of the cross ( and more ! ) to bring all those who would seek refuge under His wings!

Be very afraid, for in the last day, every mouth will be stopped… when justice is finally meted out! No claims of privilege will work except that one question…

“Is your name in the Lambs book of life?” If not, you will have to PAY for your actions to balance the scales.

Turn, repent, while there is still life left, for the time is short —- once our time here is done, we have submitted our homework … no more takesies, backsies.

God doesn’t hate you , He wants to bless you! Stop running away from what you know is right!

Hallelujah!!!