Proverbs 28:10–13 – Living discerningly

The society or any community of people is made up of all kinds of people. Some are a blessing to have around, others are toxic and can mess up our belief, behavior and life. It is needful for us to rightly discern them so that we can be influenced rightly and be a blessing instead of being a pain in the neck. In these verses of Proverbs 28:10-18, eight sets of traits are described that we will encounter in life. Each set consists of a positive trait and a negative one. We should discern them and seek to emulate those that will help us to become a blessed person. We will deal with the first four today.

Proverbs 28:10 describes for us one who is wayward and one who remains faithful to God. The wayward has evil intent and will lead the upright to stray into evil ways. In the end he will fall into the trap that he himself has made. The faithful refuses to do things that will make him guilty of wrong but build a wholesome life. He believes God wholeheartedly and remains steadfast and immovable in faith. He will inherit the good things installed for all the righteous. God will bless him abundantly and he will enjoy the fruit of righteousness.   

Proverbs 28:11 contrasts for us one who is wealthy and is blinded by his wealth, and one who is not well to do but able to perceive better. The wealthy one is conceited and blinded by his success. This verse does not say that being wealthy is wrong. A person can be rich but discerning. In essence this verse is telling us what wealth can do to a person. Riches has a blinding effect to one’s own flaw. People think that their money can help them to by-pass any wrong. The poor meanwhile does not have such an encumbrance. He tends to have a more accurate perception of himself and what he should or should not do.

Proverbs 28:12 describes for us the impact of rulers who are righteous and those who are wicked. When a righteous ruler takes the helm, there is great joy and glory in the nation. He will do the right things to administer justice. The nation will be led into righteousness. But when a nation is ruled by one who is wicked, justice will be denied. The nation will be wrongly administered leading to oppression. Her citizens will go into hiding. The righteous will have to endure injustice. While this verse applies to the ruler of a nation, we know that it is applicable to leadership in any capacity.   

Proverbs 28:13 contrasts for us a person who is unrepentant and one who is. They both will be impacted by how they respond to their wrong. The unrepentant one even though he hides his wrongs, yet he will not prosper. Why? It’s because he will be plagued by a guilt-conscience. He will make excuses for his mistake and justifies his wrong. He is untrue to himself. On the other hand, one who is repentant will acknowledge his wrong, confess and correct it. He will find forgiveness and has a guilt-free conscience. By being honest he becomes winsome because he makes himself trustworthy. He will have companions among the righteous.

We must seek to discern the right things to follow and then walk in those paths. As believers, we are heartened because Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He (the Lord) delights in his way.” When we belong to the Lord, He orders our steps so that we will live a God-pleasing life. How marvellous!