A reading of Proverbs 30:11-14 should convince us that the “generation” defined in these four brief verses is descriptive of our day. That is not to say that every element of sin and depravity in today’s proverbs has not always been present; however, the sins enumerated are dominant in our youth and young adults.
Proverbs 30:11 – “There is a generation [an age; a people; a time] that curseth [despise; hold contempt; slight; dishonor] their father, and doth not bless [praise; salute; adore] their mother.”
The generation described despises their parents and treats them with contempt. Rather than blessing their father, they curse and disdain him. Rather than love and adore the woman who gave them life, they misuse her trust and are a sorrow to her heart.
Proverbs 30:12 – “There is a generation [an age; a people; a time] that are pure [morally clean] in their own eyes [sight; estimation], and yet is not washed [bathed] from their filthiness [filth].”
This generation is not only present in the world; their attitude has permeated today’s 
church, especially among teens and adults who have grown up in church. They are “pure in their own eyes”, manifesting an air of piety and religious bravo, but are blind to their hypocrisy, pride and self-centeredness.
Too many of this generation violate God’s Commandments with impunity…failing to honor their father and mother (Exodus 20:12), harboring a spirit of bitterness (Exodus 20:13, indulging their lusts (Exodus 20:14), lying and deceiving (Exodus 20:16), and harboring a spirit of materialism that is the essence of covetousness (Exodus 20:17). This is a generation “not washed from their filthiness” because they are blind to their sins.
Proverbs 30:13 – “There is a generation [an age; a people; a time], O how lofty [high; haughty; presumptuous] are their eyes [sight; estimation]! and their eyelids are lifted up .”
This generation, like the one before it, is proud, narcissistic, “pure in their own eyes” and unwilling to humble themselves before God and their fellow-man.
Proverbs 30:14 – “There is a generation [an age; a people; a time], whose teeth are as swords [knife; dagger], and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour [eat; consume] the poor [needy; depressed] from off the earth, and the needy [destitute; poor] from among men [mankind; people].”
This generation has an appetite, not for work, but for gain, even at the sacrifice of others. I have witnessed their ways…adult children who make spoil of the trust of elderly parents. Salespeople who take advantage of the poor and naïve, enslaving them to a life of indebtedness they cannot afford. This generation is self-serving and gives no thought to the despairing lives and families left in their wake.
What about you? Is your spirit the wanton spirit of this generation?
Copyright 2016 – Travis D. Smith