Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death.
The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.
A scoundrel plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
A perverse person stirs up conflict,
    and a gossip separates close friends.
A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

• Proverbs 16:25-33

Proverbs 16:26 labors for himself ”Labor is hard and often grievous, but necessary, even for the lazy (cf. Eccl. 6:7; Eph. 4:28; 6:7; 2 Thess. 3:10-12).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Sometimes people can appear to be right when they are not.  This appearance of being right can lead people to death.  I was recently accused of such, but the person never said what was wrong in my theology and they did not define their theology.  Thus, which of us is “appearing” to be right?  Some of my fiction borders on fantasy, but when it comes to God’s word, I take extra care to be biblical, but I have gotten into arguments at church when someone could not wrap his head around the fact that God was outside time and space.  So, when the Antichrist comes, he will use words that appear true to lure people away from God, and Proverbs 16:25 is prophetic.

Proverbs 16:26 is discussed in part by Rev. MacArthur above, but we all get hungry, and the labor is required to get fed, but those who are extra hungry will work that much harder.

Verses 27 through 30 talk about evil in different aspects.  Evil plots lead to scorching fire.  Perversity leads to conflict in one verse and perverse wink means you are plotting evil.  Gossip separates and violence leads to no good.

I am in big trouble with regard to Proverbs 16:31.  I have a gray beard and gray mustache, but I have about as much gray on top as I did in high school.  I am like my Dad in that he barely had graying at the temples when he passed away at ninety years old.  So, being thought wise due to my gray hair?  I hope they look at the mustache.  But if I make it to ninety, my hair up top is falling out while my father’s did not.  Maybe it was his flattop haircut?

And again like my Dad, I am more warrior than I am patient, but when in military maneuvers, I had more patience than I do in the grocery line.  But Solomon is saying for us to have patience.

And this chapter ends with an interesting verse.  When lots are cast, the result is from the Lord.  Using lots to make decisions came from Levitical Law and with the proper prayer and dedication to the Lord, the lot will make the decision in God’s favor.  But after lots are cast to make Matthias the twelfth apostle, replacing Judas Iscariot in the Twelve, we never see lots being cast.  We now have the Holy Spirit to guide us in that decision making process.  But do we listen to Him?

And now let us sing.

The following song is Holy Spirit Come.  This modern worship song is sung by Patrick Mayberry.  This is a lyric video.  So, you can sing along with the words that are displayed on the video.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  Come, Holy Spirit, Come.  Guide us so that we speak the Truth and not something that appears right.  We never want to lead someone astray.  And Holy Spirit help us make decisions that coincide with God’s will.  Help us stay away from evil.  Let us avoid gossip.  And may we be patient.  That is always a hard one to pray for, but remind us that we asked for Your patience when the tests come.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.