“You can’t judge a book by its cover”, or can you?

Many spiritual lessons are to be learned from watching others, if only we would take the time to observe not only a man’s actions, but also the reward of his ways.

There is an old adage that reads; “You can’t judge a book by its cover”.  There is a lot of truth in that observation, especially in a day when perception and not reality has become the modus operandi.   Our society has repackaged all manner of sin and wickedness and would have us believe that its proponents have taken the higher, moral ground.  Sadly, few are willing to take the time to apply today’s proverb, look past the cover of the book and read its summary. I assure you, there is no fairy tale, living happily ever after, for the wicked.

Proverbs 21:12 – “The righteous [just; lawful; or the “Righteous One”] man wisely considereth [understands; contemplates] the house [household; family] of the wicked [ungodly; morally wrong]: but God overthroweth [bring to ruin; bring to naught] the wicked [ungodly; morally wrong] for their wickedness [sin; evil].”

Solomon challenged his son that a righteous man will consider the house of the wicked—literally, he will judge and ponder not only the way of the wicked, but also reflect on the consequences of his sinful ways on his family.  A wise man will look pass the temporal pleasures of sin and consider the sorrow, shame and humiliation of the wicked.  Unlike the prodigal son (Luke 15) who demanded his inheritance and wasted all in “riotous living”, the righteous man is wise and knows such a path is fraught with loss, sorrow and bitterness.

Solomon reminds us that man has his distorted opinion concerning the path of sin; however, God is the judge and He will bring the household of the wicked to ruin.

Galatians 6:7-8 – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith