Righteousness VS Wickedness

Reading Proverbs in the bible lately has shown me where the lifestyles of the Righteous and the Wicked have been compared. It shows a strong case for living by God's pattern. The kind of person we set out to be will be the kind of life we lead. This application bible gave many references to where the different paths can change our daily life, and I thought I would share these readings:

WICKEDNESS

Outlook on Life

The wicked are fearful: Proverbs 10:24
Even their kindness is cruel: Proverbs 12:10
Don't understand justice: Proverbs 28:5

Response to Life

Covered with violence: Proverbs 10:6
Bent on evil: Proverbs 16:30
Put up a bold front: Proverbs 21:29
Brought down by calamity: Proverbs 24:15, 16
Hate those with integrity: Proverbs 29:10

How they are seen by others

Lead others into sin: Proverbs 16:29
Conduct is devious: Proverbs 21:8
Plot violence: Proverbs 24:1,2
Others hide when they rise to power: Proverbs 28:12
Unconcerned about the poor: Proverbs 29:7
Detest the upright: Proverbs 29:27
Do not endure: Proverbs 13:15



Quality of Life

Swept away by life: Proverbs 10:25
Trapped by evil desires: Proverbs 11:16
Constant trouble befalls them: Proverbs 12:21
Income results in trouble: Proverbs 15:6
Fall into constant trouble: Proverbs 17:20
Are fearful constantly: Proverbs 28:1
Will suddenly fall: Proverbs 28:18

Short Term Results

Will be found out: Proverbs 10:9
Pursued by misfortune: Proverbs 13:21

Long Term Results

God Destroys them: Proverbs 10:29
Will be punished for rebellion: Proverbs 17:11

Eternal Expectations

Will not remain: Proverbs 10:30
Earn deceptive wages: Proverbs 11:18
Go to death: Proverbs 11:19
End only in wrath: Proverbs 11:23
Will be overthrown: Proverbs 12:7
Will be brought down by calamity: Proverbs 14:32

God's Opinion of them

He detests the perverse: Proverbs 11:20
They will bow to the righteous: Proverbs 14:19


These are powerful little blurbs that describe the wickedness that all of us are cable of. Choosing to live a life of wickedness can affect our outlook on life, our response to life, how we are seen by others, the quality of life that we have, and ultimately our lives for eternity. Some of these characteristics in a person I could relate to before I truly gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, reading all of Proverbs comparisons has helped me to recognize where my mind and body had become wicked when I was caught up in a life of sin. Especially the first comparison under "How are they seen by others" in Proverbs 16:29 where it compares the wicked and the righteous and leading others into sin.

"A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good."

Proverbs 16:29

Sometimes as Christians we don’t recognize how some of our actions could be wicked. These Proverbs can help us all see the difference between the two. They helped point out some of the ways I have used my gifts given to be me by God to bring others to sin. The Lord has so graciously given me the gift of hospitality. I love to cook, open my home, and have people over to socialize about life or anything. I love to be around people and learn from them and their experiences. Everyone has a story to tell, and a life that has brought them to where they are today. These gifts that my savior has given me were being used in the wrong way in my early walk as a Christian. I would often be drinking large amounts of alcohol and accepting drug use in my own house.

Because those gifts were not being used to glorify God, they were being used to bring others in to sin. Lord forgive me of my wickedness in not recognizing how Satan used these gifts against me and how I brought friends and family into my own sin and also began to mold and accept their sin. I failed to the follow the greatest commandment of all in loving one another. If I truly loved all of those people I wouldn't have brought them in to my sin or even worse, accepted their sin.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

John 13:34


RIGHTEOUSNESS

Outlook on Life

The Righteous are hopeful: Proverbs 10:24
Concerned about the welfare of God's creation:Proverbs 12:10
Understand Justice: Proverbs 28:5

Response to Life

Covered with Blessings: Proverbs 10:6
Give thought to their ways: Proverbs 21:29
Persevere against evil: Proverbs 24:15, 16


How they are seen by others

Conduct is upright: Proverbs 21:8
Are not to desire the company of godless people: Proverbs 24:1,2
Others are glad when they triumph: Proverbs 28:12
Care for the poor: Proverbs 29:7
Detest the dishonest: Proverbs 29:27
Are appreciated: Proverbs 13:15

Quality of Life

Stand firm in life: Proverbs 10:25
Delivered by righteousness: Proverbs 11:16
No real harm befalls them: Proverbs 12:21
Income results in treasure: Proverbs 15:6
Are bold as lions: Proverbs 28:1
Will be safe: Proverbs 28:18

Short Term Results

Walk securely: Proverbs 10:9
Rewarded with prosperity: Proverbs 13:21

Long Term Results

God protects them: Proverbs 10:29

Eternal Expectations

Never uprooted: Proverbs 10:30
Earn a sure reward: Proverbs 11:18
Attain life: Proverbs 11:19
End only in good: Proverbs 11:23
Will stand firm: Proverbs 12:7
Have a refuge when they die: Proverbs 14:32

God's Opinion of them

Delights in the good: Proverbs 11:20
Evil people will bow to them: Proverbs 14:19

I challenge you to read some of these Proverbs to see the differences between what is righteous and what is wicked. I don't know about you, but I know I want to strive for God's pattern of righteousness on a daily basis. I hope you enjoy the comparisons. Please post any comments or questions and let me know what you think. I love you all and God Bless.

Tonya
tarmenakis@hotmail.com
www.flywithchrist.blogspot.com