Proverbs 16:2 NKJV

 
Things Are Not What They Seem
OCCASIONALLY in seasons of collapse and disaster great discoveries are made concerning those who appeared to be commercially sound but turn out to be rotten. Then the whole machinery of financing is laid bare, and things which directors and managers have thought to be right have been seen to be utter robbery. All looked solid and substantial until the inevitable crash came, and then no man felt that he could trust his neighbor. No doubt these schemers thought their ways “clean;’ but the event discovered their dirty hands.
 
Spiritual failures of like kind occur in the church. Great reputations explode, high professions dissolve. Men readily cajole themselves into the belief that they are right, and are doing right. They misapply Scripture, misinterpret providence, and in general turn things upside down, but the inexorable judgment overtakes them. A weighing time comes, and their professions are exposed. Niagara is at the end of the fatal rapid of self-deception: the self-satisfied pretender descends with a plunge to sure destruction.
 
Let us practically consider some of the “ways” which appear to be “clean;” but are not so, when the Lord comes to weigh the spirits.
 
I. THE WAYS OF THE OPENLY WICKED. Many of these are “clean” in their own eyes.

To effect this self-deception:

They give pretty names to sin.

They think ill of others, making them out to be much worse than themselves, and finding in this an excuse for themselves,

They claim to have many admirable qualities, and fine points.

They urge that if imperfect they cannot help it.

They also seriously resolve to amend; but never do so. Men do with themselves as financiers do with companies:

They put down doubtful assets as certain property.

They reckon expectations as receipts.

They tear out pages from the account-book.

They conceal damaging facts, and ruinous entanglements.
They cook the accounts in all sorts of ways, and make groundless promises.

The Lord’s trial will be thorough and decisive. He weighs with accurate balances and weights; and he looks not only to the open way but to the inner spirit.
 
II. THE WAYS OF THE GODLESS.

These often boast that they are better than the religious.

They pretend that their superior intellects prevent their being believers: they must doubt because they are clever.

They extol regard to the second table of the Law as being far more important than any service rendered to God himself.

They will not be held accountable for their creed, or be judged for rejecting a few crabbed dogmas.

But all these shall be weighed in the balances and found wanting.
 
III. THE WAYS OF THE OUTWARD RELIGIONIST. These seem “clean,”

His observance of ceremonies.

His regular attendance at worship.

His open profession of religion.

His generosity to the cause, and general interest in good things.

Thus ministers, deacons, members, etc., may boast, and yet when the Lord weighs their spirits they may be castaways.
 
IV. THE WAYS OF THE COVETOUS PROFESSOR. His ways are specially “clean.”

His greed keeps him from expensive sins, and therefore he gives himself credit for self-denial.

He stints the cause of God and the poor.

He oppresses his workmen in their wages.

He makes hard bargains, drives debtors to extremes, takes undue advantage, and is a skinflint to all around him.

The Lord says of him, “covetousness which is idolatry.”
 
V. THE WAYS Of THE WORLDLY PROFESSOR. He thinks himself “clean.”

Let him honestly consider whether he is “clean”—

In his secret life? In his private and hidden indulgences?

In his pleasures and amusements?

In his company and conversation?

In his forsaken closet, forgotten Bible, lukewarm religion, etc.

What a revelation when the weighing of his spirit comes!
 
VI. THE WAYS OF THE SECURE BACKSLIDER. He dreams that his way is “clean;” when a little observation will show him many miry places:

Decline in private prayer (Job 15:4).

Sin gradually getting the upper hand (Jer. 14:10).

Conversation scantily spiritual (Eph. 5:4)

Scriptures little read (Hos. 8:12).

Heart growing hard (Heb. 3:13).

Religion almost destitute of life (Rev. 3:1).

Pride cropping up in many directions (Deut. 8:14).

The Lord gives him a weighing in trial and temptation; then there follows an opening up of deceit and hypocrisy.
 
VII. THE WAYS Of THE DECEIVED MAN. He writes pleasant things for himself, and yet all the while he is a spiritual bankrupt.

Failed in true faith in Jesus.

Failed in real regeneration.

Failed in heart-work and soul-service for the Lord.

Failed for ever. Will our hearer do this?
Charles Spurgeon
 

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 16:2 KJV

 
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Proverbs 10:2 CEV

 
Getting rich from doing evil or wickedness will not profit or help you at all. Proverbs 10:2 directly warns us of putting our faith and concerns in treasures and wealth. Winning the lottery tomorrow will certainly profit your bank account but it will not profit your soul. Wealth may buy short term happiness and comfort but greed, a health crisis, or reality will make us realize we put our faith in something earthly and it will not last forever.
 
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19 NIV
 
Your soul on the other hand is an investment that has eternal returns and nobody can take anything away from that investment. Matthew asks the question we all know the answer to. Nothing on earth is worth more than our soul. Our soul and salvation delivers us from death.
 
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26 NIV
 
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28 NIV
 
We keep track of the balances of our financial accounts through bank statements, online, checkbooks, or even on our phone. If we are charged for something we didn’t spend, we immediately get it reversed. When was the last time you evaluated the condition of your soul? Which do you think or stress more about, your money or your soul? It might be easier said than done but every time stress and worry is spent on wealth, debt, and material things, your soul is weakened. Every time you focus on your soul and righteousness your wealth is strengthened.
Chris Riehl
 

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 10:2 KJV

 
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Proverbs 16:18 CEV

 
Beware Of Pride. Pride is deadly. But instead of warning us the world encourages pride in every way.
 
What is pride? Pride is faith in yourself, instead of faith in God. The root of pride is selfishness: putting yourself first. Thinking you are the most important. Thinking you know the most. Thinking you deserve better than someone else.
 
Pride will cause you to go your own way instead of God’s way. Pride makes you think you do not need God’s advice or help. Pride is the root of all sin. It causes you to turn away from God instead of turning to Him. All disobedience has pride as its root. All rebellion has pride behind it. All mistreatment of other people is caused by pride: putting yourself and your feelings above the other person and their feelings.
 
The world system promotes people who are proud, and often gives them great riches. Jesus said pride is evil and defiles a person. (Mark 7:21-23)
While the world may promote the proud for a short time, their fame and success will not last.
 
JAMES 4:6 NKJ
6 . . . “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
 
Pride is the most serious, and the most subtle, sin. It often goes unrecognized. Beware!
SAY THIS: Lord, help me to beware of pride.
Dean Wall
 

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 KJV

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