Genesis: Abraham, Covenant, and Promise

Praising The Wicked

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2016-06-19

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver expounds Proverbs 28:4, teaching that forsaking God's law leads to praising the wicked, while keeping God's law leads to contending against them. He emphasizes living by biblical principles rather than feelings, and warns that disobedience brings unintended consequences, including siding with evil and inviting God's judgment. The sermon calls believers to guard God's law, contend for the faith, and recognize that rejecting God's law is rejecting God Himself.

[John Weaver] In our Bibles today to Proverbs chapter 28 Proverbs 28 and we're going to be looking at verse 4 Proverbs 28 and verse 4 Notice that's in the Old Testament somewhere after Genesis. Alright, Proverbs 28 in verse 4, very short verse the Bible says, they that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them. Now watch that again, they that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

[John Weaver] Last week I dealt with a message which I entitled, Reality, Faith, and Obedience. I pointed out the fact how reality is not what man thinks or man wants or what man determines. Reality is what God says and what God states. And I pointed out the use of the English word utopia, how it's from the Greek, made up of the two Greek words topos, which means place, and u, which means no, it's a negative. So there's no such thing as a communist or Marxist or socialist utopia because it's all the figment of the imagination. It's in somebody's mind. It is not reality. Well, I could have figured today, well, this message being a continuation of that one. But I really titled this one praising the wicked, hoping that maybe it would someone's eye when it's on the Internet and they would like to hear what it means to praise the wicked. It is seemingly everywhere you look the wicked are being praised. And certainly it is unseemly to praise them.

[John Weaver] Who in his right mind would want to glorify murder and rape and kidnapping and theft? Well I mean except for Hollywood obviously. But I mean no one else would certainly want to do that. It's absolutely foolish to try to honor dishonorable men. And yet there are many wicked that are being publicly praised. In fact there are many wicked that are extremely wealthy. Think of George Soros. Think of the Kennedys. Think of the Clintons. Think of any of these old family dynasties. They're not only extremely wealthy, many of them hold high offices, and they hold a great deal of power.

[John Weaver] And these individuals are usually constantly being held up as virtuous and generous individuals, when in reality what they're doing are destroying the lives of other individuals, families, societies and even our own nation. The truth is that God forbids us to put our hand with the wicked and he forbids us to cooperate with them in any way whatsoever. If you would hold Proverbs chapter 28 but look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Exodus chapter 23 and look at verses 1 and 2. Exodus 23 verses 1 and 2. Here God says very plainly thou shalt not raise a false report."

[John Weaver] Well certainly we are not to be someone who begins rumors, and lies, and scandals, and things like that. So God says, thou shalt not raise a false report. Then He goes on to say this, put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. So you are not going to cooperate with them to bring forth fraud. to perjure yourself. He says, no you are not going to do that, that is wicked and wrong. Then verse 2, He says, thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. So it doesn't matter if the largest majority is doing that which is wicked and wrong. God says we are not to follow a multitude to do evil. Then He says, neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to rest a judgment. So we are not to do anything that would take away from His judgment and His justice. In fact the truth of the matter is God not only tells us not to cooperate with the wicked, He tells us to stand against them.

[John Weaver] In fact in Psalm 94 and verse 16 He asks this question, Who will rise up for me against the workers of iniquity, who will stand up for me against the evildoers." So God is looking for men and women that will rise up and stand against the wicked. In fact, in Amos 5, in verse 15, He says, hate the evil and love the good and establish judgment in the gate.

[John Weaver] Now I want you to look in psalm 7 psalm 7 because I could multiply passages But let me show you one of the reason God tells us not to cooperate the wicked not to help them Not to praise them not to commend them and that's simply because God's going to destroy them So if you look in psalm 7 and begin there with verse 11 God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day So sinners may have many feast days, but they never, ever have a safe day. There's not a day in which God's anger is not burning hot against the wicked. So he says, God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day. Now watch. If he that is the wicked turn not, he, God, will whet his sword. He, God, hath bent his bow and made it ready. He, God, hath also prepared for him the instruments of death. He, that is God, ordaineth his errors against the persecutors. Now he's talking about the wicked. Behold, the wicked travaileth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

[John Weaver] He, the wicked, made a pit, and digged it. has fallen into the ditch which he made. God says his mischief, that is his sin, his wickedness, shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. So God is going to make them reap what they have sown. And God says ultimately it is all going to come back upon the head of the wicked.

[John Weaver] Now in light of these scriptures, and there could be a multitude of scriptures multiplied in the same vein, So you have to ask this question. How could a Christian praise the wicked? Now, I am sure that probably there is no real Christian that's going to stand up and publicly praise and honor someone that is a real wicked and vile individual. The Bible tells us in the book of Habakkuk chapter 1 and verse 13 talking about God, thou canst not look upon iniquity and thou dost not see it. Now certainly God sees it to judge it, but what Habakkuk is saying God does not look upon it condoningly, He does not look upon it approvingly. And if God doesn't condone it and approve it very obviously neither can we. Now I am also sure that there are a multitude of professing Christians that ignorantly praise the wicked.

[John Weaver] They have no idea exactly what they are doing. There is also this fact, there are many who profess to be saved who are not saved. There is a vast difference between a profession and a possession. There is a difference between being in the church and being in Jesus Christ. And there are a multitude of individuals who are in a church who are not Christians and certainly have not been converted. And there are many in the church therefore that are unconverted that will praise the wicked because they are wicked themselves and they see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

[John Weaver] In fact, you can look at some of the mainline denominations today and you'll find that a lot of these denominations have taken public stands for abortion, for sodomy, for all of these other things. And the reason they do so is because they swallowed the line of Marxism, or communism, or socialism, or the social gospel hook, line, and sinker. And you understand that. So it's not really those churches and those people that I want to deal with.

[John Weaver] Multitudes of illustrations could be given in that area. But what I want to deal with is how could a Christian praise the wicked? How could anyone with what you and I would say with one eye and half sense want to do something like that? Well the truth is this, God has graciously given us principles to govern and to guide and direct our lives. And we're to be governed and controlled by those principles. But here's the problem.

[John Weaver] Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings, by their emotions, by situations, by circumstances. You have to remember this principles do not die. Principles do not have funerals and principles do not change and yet your emotions change your feelings change your situations change In fact Pat could testify that feelings change He can feel good one day and hurt the next and you and I could do exactly the same All we have to do is fall as well The truth of the matter is this, we cannot live by our feelings. And I hear so many people say, well, I didn't feel like going to church, or I didn't feel like praying, or I didn't feel like studying my Bible. Or the situation that I was in, or the circumstances that prevented me. Really? Well, I want you to understand something. If you put it like this, there are basically two lifestyles. There is that lifestyle that is guided and directed and controlled by biblical principle. And then there is that lifestyle that is guided and controlled and directed by your feelings, by your emotions, by situations, and by circumstances.

[John Weaver] And each one of these lifestyles have their own particular fruits and manifest themselves in different ways. In this day and age, most churches regardless whether or not they claim to be Bible believing churches the truth is that most people still live by their feelings. They still live by their emotions. And I've seen people, I've seen Christians, real Christians who often times will come up and say something absolutely stupid. Well I don't care what the truth is I know how I feel. And that's exactly how they live now I've also heard this complaint I've heard the complaint that well the reason I'm like this is because The Bible doesn't cover every situation every circumstance And I just don't know how to act in this situation this circumstance well now that's true, and that's untrue and It is true that you cannot find in your Bible, on a page in the Bible, every possible scenario that you could encounter in your life. If you did that, if you had a Bible like that, you couldn't carry it.

[John Weaver] But what God has done is He has given us principles. Which we are to deduce and which we are to apply and follow and those principles will cover Every situation in every circumstance So I could say it like this. God has given us a concise carry He's also given us a concealed carry because you can take one so small and put it in your pocket No one even knows it's there and but yet you can still take it out and live by the principles there now Let me show you I want

[John Weaver] you to look in your Bibles first of all to Psalm 111 and then we're going to Proverbs 25 look in Psalm 111 and notice if you would verse 2 Psalm 111 verse 2 Psalm 111 and verse 2, God says, The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. So God has some great works. And it's not just his providence, his creation, and his redemption, but the works of the Lord are great. And notice he says, those works, those truths, those principles, those things are sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. So if someone does not have pleasure in truth and in righteousness, well, he's not going to seek them out. If you will look in the book of Proverbs chapter 25 and verse 2, The Word of God says it like this, Proverbs 25 verse 2, the Bible says, it is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. So it is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but it is the honor of kings to search out a matter.

[John Weaver] What does the Scripture tell us? That our God, our Lord Jesus Christ has made us kings and priests to the Father. Well, if it's the glory of God to conceal a thing in its honor of kings to search out a matter, what he's telling us is very simple. That it's our duty, our responsibility, our obligation, as well as our privilege to search out the principles in the Word of God and learn to apply them to our lives.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look at Proverbs 28 and verse 4. I'm going to show you some things that I think are just simply lying on the surface before we ever get to look at this verse in detail. When he says in Proverbs 28 in verse 4, they that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them. So what kind of principles can we draw just from this verse?

[John Weaver] Well, first and most obvious, I would say, is the principle of sowing and reaping. You're familiar with that. When he says, they that forsake the law praise the wicked. In other words, you're sowing something and you're reaping something. And then when he says, but such as keep the law, contend with them. Again, you're sowing something and you're reaping something. So that's why in Galatians 6, 7, and 8, the Bible says, Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, and he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. So, here's the principle of sowing and reaping.

[John Weaver] Now, let me point out that all of these principles you're going to see are kind of intertwined. That is, they work together. The second principle that I'm going to point out in verse 4 is this. It's the principle of unintended consequences. For instance, He says they that forsake the law praise the wicked. So what do I mean by the principle of unintended consequences? Well, a man who says he's a Christian and a believer may not intend to praise the wicked. He may intend just to satisfy the lust of his flesh or the pride of life. But the result That he ends up praising the wicked so I can give you a number of illustrations on unintended circumstances So here's a man That wants to get drunk That's his intention. He purposefully deliberately Premeditates I'm gonna get drunk That's all I want to do don't want to hurt anybody. I just want to be drunk and he gets drunk and Then he starts driving And there's a head-on collision and he kills a man and his wife and two of the children.

[John Weaver] Now, did he intend to kill those people? No. No. But he's responsible because he was responsible not to get drunk. But here is what we call unintended consequences. He didn't necessarily sit down and say, I'm going to drive drunk and murder some people today. happened. Same way a man could go in with the intent on robbing a convenience store, or the intent on robbing a bank. And all he wants to do is to get the money, that's it. But when things go south and there is a confrontation he ends up shooting and murdering the clerk and that's it. So once again you have unintended consequences. So you can see in this passage that there are these unintended consequences.

[John Weaver] Now there is a verse in the Bible That shows you this very clearly. It's Romans 14 in verse 7 where the Word of God says for none of us Liveth to himself and no man died to himself So everything that we do affects someone else. I Whatever the children do ultimately affects the parents and whatever the parents do Ultimately affect the children what the husband does affects the wife what the wife does affects the husband None of us live it to himself. None of us died to himself So we may intend on a certain thing, but the outcome is quite different So you have the principle here of unintended consequences their third principle here is which is very obvious, is that of contending for the faith. He says in verse 4, but such as keep the law, contend with them.

[John Weaver] Now I'm going to explain this a little bit later, but let me remind you that Jude wrote in verse 3 in the book of Jude, he said, Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write of you the common salvation, it was needful for me to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith. was once delivered unto the saints. So there is a principle then of contending for the faith. The fourth principle I believe is clearly seen in verse 4 is this, there is the principle of unfaithfulness with its attendant results. And there is the principle of faithfulness with its attendant results. So Proverbs 28 in verse 4 tells us that there are two principles here that are running side by side. There's a principle of unfaithfulness.

[John Weaver] which would include reaping what you've sown, unintended consequences. And then there is the principle of faithfulness, which would also include reaping what you've sown, and unintended consequences as well. So both principles are taught in the Bible. If we looked just momentarily at the principle of unfaithfulness and its attendant circumstances, we don't have to look any farther than Adam. very first man in the Bible The Bible says in Romans 5 in verse 12 wherefore as by one man That's Adam where for is about one man sin entered into the world and death by sin So death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Now, it's an Irish passive when he says, for all have sinned. It means it's happened once and for all, it's over and it's done with. When did all sin at one time? And the answer is in Adam when he fell, because Adam was our federal head, he was our representative, so all you have to do is read 1 Corinthians 15 and find that out. Do you think for one instant that Adam got up that morning and said, wow, this is the day that I'm going to sin against God and plunge my entire posterity into sin and death?

[John Weaver] Probably not. He may not have intended to do that. He may not have even thought about the consequences of it, but that is exactly what has happened. So, you can see how all of these principles kind of mesh together.

[John Weaver] Now, let me point something out. I have only known really of one man, and he was not a Christian, who would actually do what I would call sitting down and thinking things through. We're in this room. probably none of us Sit down and say wait a minute now before I act before I do this. Let me think this through What is the possible scenario or scenarios? What could possibly go wrong? What could possibly happen?

[John Weaver] What would be the outcome? What would be the fruit? Well, we don't do that What we just act we just do what we want to do Well it is. What did Paul say concerning Demas in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 10? Here is what he said,"'For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed into Thessalonica.'" Now did Demas intend to apostatize? Did he intend to leave the Christian faith? Probably not. Probably what he said is something like this, This is hard work. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of denying myself I think I'm going to this like and just rest a while have a little fun relaxation He didn't probably intend on apostatizing yet he did So I'm just simply saying all of these kind of mesh together and they run together as well now Let me just take the

[John Weaver] principle of faithfulness just for a moment and try to develop that thought We could look at Abraham, we could look at Noah, we could look at Moses, and a host of others. But let me just pick Abraham and Moses. And I want you to turn in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 18 and then to James Chapter 2. Okay? Genesis 18 and then to James Chapter 2. So if you could find the book of James, we will come back there second. Hebrews, James. James Chapter 2. Just kind of hold that and then let's go to Genesis chapter 18 and let's begin there with verse 17 Genesis 18 and verse 17 Look what God says concerning Abraham and I tell you what this is absolutely phenomenal Genesis chapter 18 and verse 17 you remember now God has come down to He's

[John Weaver] going to destroy Solomon Gamara. Okay, and he knows a lot is there And he says in verse 17 and the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation And all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him now watch what God said For I know him For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that to which he has spoken of him." Notice what God said, I know him. I know Abraham is going to teach his children. I know he's going to teach them to obey, to keep my word, to establish justice and judgment. I know him. I wonder if God could look upon any of us and say, I know him. I know he's going to do what's right. I know he's going to be obedient. I know he's going to be holy.

[John Weaver] I know he's going to be godly. That's what he said about Abraham. Abraham was faithful. And if you look in James chapter 2 and verse 23 at what the Bible says concerning Abraham, watch this. James chapter 2 verse 23 and The scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed on him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God that amazing Abraham's obedience Abraham's love Won for him the title the friend of God. I wonder if what that could be said of any of us that we are the friend of God. Now, one last illustration. If you would turn right back to Hebrews chapter 3, just a few pages back from James. Hebrews chapter 3.

[John Weaver] And let's begin reading verses 1 and we'll read through verse 5. Here is a comparison in one sense of the word between Jesus Christ and Moses, and yet there is no comparison, but yet there is in the sense of the word that Moses was faithful.

[John Weaver] Now watch, Hebrews 3 verse 1, Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. who was faithful to him that appointed him, that is Jesus was faithful to the Father, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man, we are talking about Christ, was counted worthy of more glory than Moses. And as much as he that built the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is built by some man, but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after." So we don't have to look any further than Abraham and Moses for an example of faithfulness and how they reaped what they sowed and how Even the unintended consequences in their lives were blessed and good.

[John Weaver] They did not think of all the things that could happen, and yet it simply worked out. Did you know that the Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 2, moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. And so each one of us happens to be a steward. We are a steward of whatever God has given unto us. and God said it is required that we be found faithful. Now, what I want to do is this, I want to show you two things in Proverbs 28 verse 4. I want you to look at it if you would. I want you to see first of all forsaking the law of God and its consequences. Proverbs 28 verse 4, they that forsake the law praise the wicked. Now there is a lot that could be said on this particular point. In fact I am sure that a series of sermons could be developed from this. But what I want to do is this, I want you to think just for a moment of this truth in a much broader scale.

[John Weaver] So here is what I want you to do, I want you to forget for the moment that the Bible says, they that forsake the law praise the wicked. I want to deal with that. But I want you to see this truth in a broader sense. Because when we forsake the law of God, we forsake God. You cannot separate God and His law. I've told you here hundreds of times that a king rules by his law. His law is an expression of his will for his people.

[John Weaver] If you would hold Proverbs 28 like say we're coming back there, but look in 1st Samuel chapter 8 1st Samuel chapter 8 and in this passage The Israelites are demanding a king that they might be like all the other nations and when they ask of Samuel a king in 1st Samuel chapter 8 and The Bible says in verse 6, But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. Now watch. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

[John Weaver] according to all the works which they have done, since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee." Now go back to verse 7, and the Lord said in Samuel, hearken to the voice of the people in awe that they say unto thee, here it is, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me. That is, it was a personal rejection of God.

[John Weaver] Now notice this next phrase, that I should not reign over them. How did God reign over them? by and through His law. So now what they want is they want a man to be their king. And so now that king is going to establish his own law. So the only way that you can really understand 1 Samuel chapter 8 is to see it as a transition from one law structure to another. The only way that you can understand what is happening in this country is to see it as a transition from one law structure to another. We used to be based upon biblical law. Now we're based upon humanistic law. If you look in 1 Samuel chapter 12 at verse 12, look what Samuel said to these people. 1 Samuel 12 verse 12, He said, And when you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said unto me, Nay, but a king shall reign over us, when the Lord your God was your king. So actually what they did was they traded God for a man.

[John Weaver] Now, let me take this a little bit farther. When you despise God's law, you're actually despising God. I told you earlier that God and His law are inseparable. I want you to look in 2 Samuel chapter 12. 2 Samuel chapter 12. And I want you to understand what is happening. 2 Samuel chapter 12. You remember David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. And he had Uriah the Hittite, her husband, killed with the sword of the children of Ammon. And look what God says. 2 Samuel 12, beginning there with verse 9. 2 Samuel 12, verse 9. God asked David, Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight? So I want you to note something. When we sin, it is a despising of God's law. He said, Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with a sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now watch. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

[John Weaver] So obviously, you cannot despise God's law without despising God. So, God and His law are inseparable.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you something else. I'm going to say this over and over. Sin never comes by itself. Sin produces sin. Sin always has a multitude in its harvest. Let's say this. What did David do when he saw Bathsheba? He coveted her. Maybe that's all he intended at first. But then that led him to inquire of her. And when she came in, since he was the king, he took her. Maybe that's all he intended until he found out that she was now with child. Which now led to the murder of Uriah. So the point I'm trying to make is, I want you to see sowing and reaping, but I want you to see unintended consequences as well. And I want you to see whether we're living by principle or whether we're living by feelings.

[John Weaver] All of these things kind of merge together. And what happens when we sin, we basically dethrone God and enthrone ourselves. Because what we're saying in essence is, I don't care what God said, I want this and I'm going to do this. And I don't care what God's law is, I'm going to make my own law, I'm going to do it right now for myself.

[John Weaver] Now when you look back at Proverbs 28 and verse 4, He just simply says this they that forsake the law praise the wicked. Well, that is just one consequence of forsaking the law Forsaking God and despising God or other consequences Sin does not travel alone. I've always said already said that I want you to look in Luke chapter 11 Here's the illustration that our Lord gave Luke 11 and let's begin there with verse 24. I Here's a man who just simply attempts To reform himself. There's no salvation He's just gonna reform himself and in Luke 11 beginning there with verse 24 Our Lord says when the unclean spirit is going out of a man. So here's a demonic spirit that's been Kicked out exorcised Okay, well the unclean spirit is going out of the man. He the unclean spirit walks through dry places seeking rest He wants someone to inhabit and finding on he saith I were turning to my house once I came out I'll go back to that same man that kicked me out and When he cometh he find it that swept and garnished Then goeth he

[John Weaver] and take to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself And they enter in and dwell there in the last state of that man is worse than the first So sin produces sin. So the result, then, of forsaking the law of God that is mentioned in Proverbs 28 and verse 4 is that of praising the wicked.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to stop with me, and I'm just showing you that this is just one of those consequences. Whether it's intended or not, it's one of the consequences. But in Proverbs 28 and verse 4, he says, they that forsake the law praise the wicked. me tell you what the word praise means. It literally means to make praiseworthy, to boast, to commend, and to be worthy of praise. Now I want you to think with me just for a moment. What does God mean and what are the implications when He says, they that forsake the law praise the wicked? So praising the wicked is one of the natural forsaking God's law. You have to remember this, that the law of God curses and condemns the wicked.

[John Weaver] We saw that at the beginning of this message. The law of God curses and condemns the wicked. When we forsake God's law we side with the wicked and we say, no, the wicked are not wrong, God is wrong. These are wonderful people. They need to be commended. They need to be praised. They need to be held up. They need to be magnified. And so what we are doing in essence is we are siding with the wicked instead of siding with God.

[John Weaver] And moreover, by praising them, we're helping to silence their conscience. Why? Look at that preacher over there, or look at that Christian. Well, he doesn't think I'm that bad. I want you to look in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 12. I'm sorry, it's Psalm 12, Psalm 12. Psalm 12. And look if you would please at verse 8. You want to know what has happened in our country? Here it is. Psalm 12 verse 8. Look at it.

[John Weaver] God says, the wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted. You exalt vile men? magnify them you praise them you hold them up as virtuous and praiseworthy God says the wicked are going to abound and they're gonna walk on every side Just look at Washington DC. Look at Atlanta, Georgia. Look at Tallahassee, Florida Look in your Bibles of Psalm 10 and verse 3 Psalm 10 verse 3 He says, For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blessed the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth, or whom the Lord hateth. What does the wicked do? They boast of their heart's desire and they bless the covetous or they bless the wicked to whom God is absolutely opposed. And then let me just quote this from from the book of Malachi chapter 3 in verse 15 He said and now we call the proud happy yea, they that work wickedness are set up yea They that tempt God are delivered.

[John Weaver] In other words, we turn everything upside down In Romans 1 in verse 32 after God delineates all of the wickedness of these people and their perversion He ends up in verse 32 saying Talking about the rest who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things Are worthy of death not only do the same but have pleasure in them You want to know where we are today There are people who uphold and praise the wicked because they have pleasure in those things They do the same things and some who may not do them if they could do them. They would do them John Gill Said it like this listen carefully Who are like them who forsake and transgress the law as they do Every like loves its like wicked men delight in sin and the transgression of the law and those that do it.

[John Weaver] One covetous man will bless and praise another whom the Lord abhors, and commend his covetousness as frugality and good husbandry." One proud man will call another happy, and praise him as a man of spirit, that will not debase himself, but keep up his authority, rank, and dignity, and not condescend to men of low estates. The workers of iniquities are set up, and extolled, and tempters of God. Men of atheistical and deistical principles are not only delivered from the punishments they deserve, but are commended as bold spirits."

[John Weaver] at what is happening in America. If you desire to praise the wicked, the easiest and the simplest way is to forsake God's law. That is why there is such a push in this country now to establish Sharia law, because we have forsaken God's law. And in doing so, we're praising the wicked. We're praising those who are absolutely contrary to God now look in Proverbs 28 and verse 7 Proverbs 28 verse 7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son But he that is a companion of righteous men shameth his father. I Wise son is one that keeps the law an unwise and a foolish son Dishonors his father and praises wicked men and associating with them and participating in their wickedness Now God says here is Faithlessness To the law of God and its consequences we end up praising the wicked and citing the one. Very quickly I want you to see the second truth and that is faithfulness to the law of God and its consequences. He says in verse 4 the latter part, but such as keep the law contend with them.

[John Weaver] Now if forsaking the law praises the wicked the opposite is keeping God's law contends with the wicked. Now When God speaks about keeping the law, He is not just simply referring to obeying. That is certainly part and parcel of it. But let me tell you what the word keep actually means. It is the Hebrew word shamar, and it literally means to keep, to guard, and protect. The word is translated in our Bibles as watchman eight times and as a keeper 28 times it is the same word that is used of the Levites as They were to keep the tabernacle they were to keep the charge of Aaron and his sons for instance If some stranger ran into the tabernacle or into the temple and tried to get in the Holy of Holies, or even attacked Aaron, what would happen to that individual? He'd be executed. He'd be put to death. Who would put him to death? The Levites, because they had the charge.

[John Weaver] They were the century keepers. They were the doorkeepers. They were responsible So the word keep then means more than just simply to obey It also means to guard and to protect that is we treasure up God's law We obey God's law we guard against it in the sense that we do not violate it We want to keep it inviolate And we want to make sure that others keep God's law as well, because we recognize that this is the law of the great king. That's why I said in Isaiah 33 and verse 22, listen, for the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, and the Lord is our king, he will save us. So God is king, lawgiver, and judge. So it is only then as we obey with the wicked. Watch what he says in verse 4, but such as keep the law contend with them. Now let me tell you what the word contend means. The word actually means to stir oneself up, or to strive, or to excite oneself against, or to engage in warfare and to wage war.

[John Weaver] So the word contend actually basically means to fight Now look what he said they that forsake the law praise the wicked but such as keep the law fight with the wicked I Hope you understand that whether it's in real battle or whether or not you're watching fake wrestling on TV or you're watching the UFC which may not be quite as fake as But those men who were in there fighting are always called contenders That's why he tells us that we're to contend for the faith that is we're to fight for the faith Let me show you just a couple of examples David could not stand the foul-mouthed Goliath And he could not stand to have the true God of Israel blasphemed as David said by an uncircumcised Philistine And what did David say?

[John Weaver] Let no man's heart fail him for fear. I'll fight him I'll take care of him God delivered the bear and the lion in my hand and he'll deliver this uncircumcised Philistine. Don't worry about I'll take care of it And what did he do? He contended he fought King Asa was a godly man and a godly king and he hated idolatry He hated anything that was contrary to God and he hated it so much So listen to this that King Asa removed his own mother from being Queen Because she made an altar and an idol was he doing?

[John Weaver] He was contending for the faith. He was fighting for the faith. So those who love God and love God's Law cannot be silent when evil is present. We cannot tolerate it. We cannot condone it. We cannot approve it in any way. We must lift up our voices and cry against it.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you something. Look at Proverbs 28 and verse 4 because there is a parallel verse I want you to see. Proverbs 28 verse 4 watch it they that forsake the law praise the wicked but such as keep the law Fights with the wicked or contends with them now look in Proverbs 29 and verse 18 Proverbs 29 verse 18 Where there is no vision the people perish but he that keepeth the law happy is he Now, these verses are actually parallel verses. They go together. Actually, a separate message needs to be preached on this verse, especially to explain the word vision, where there is no vision, the people perish. When you look at the word vision there, it has nothing to do with a dream or trance or for some preacher saying, I envision great things for this church or had a vision you would work with me." That's not what that word means. Actually the word refers to prophecy or what you and I would call public preaching. Literally it says this, look at it, where there is no public preaching of the law the people perish.

[John Weaver] But he that keepeth the law happy is he. Now, look at this again. Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people perish. The word perish is a very interesting word. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 32, because I'm going to tell you how this word is translated in the Bible, and then I'm going to show it to you. Look in Exodus chapter 32. Watch carefully, Exodus 32. Now the Bible says where there is no public preaching of God's law, people perish. The word perish is translated in our Bibles as naked, made bare, B-A-R-E, made naked. You remember how Aaron formed this golden calf from the earrings of these people in the fire of Of course now they're dancing around praising this stupid calf and saying these be thy God so Israel Which brought thee out of the land of Egypt and notice if you would in Exodus 32 in verse

[John Weaver] 25 Moses is coming down from the mount. Look what he said and when Moses saw that the people were naked Perished For Aaron had made them perishing or naked unto their shame among their enemies." Ah, now go back to Proverbs 29 and look at verse 18. Watch it. Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people are made naked. They're made bare. What? does that mean well if you don't understand what it means let me invite you to where we live in South Georgia in summertime and I will let you strip naked and you just run in my woods all you like day and night You can find all the ticks mosquitoes and deer flies and

[John Weaver] Horseflies and whatever you want all over you and they will eat you alive If you are naked you are vulnerable. If you are naked you're in trouble. You're in a state of perishing You may not be dead at that moment, but is you're not too far down the road from it. I So here's what God is saying. God said, when there is no public preaching of the law, then people are perishing. We are left naked. We are stripped defenseless. We're ready to perish. So what he's telling us is this, that God's law is our clothing. It's our armor. It's our protection.

[John Weaver] We can't live without it. And then he says, whoso keepeth the law So it's not just our happiness that is involved in keeping the law. Our life depends upon it. That would be the individual life. That would be the family life. That would be the church life. That would be the nation's life. Without it, we perish. Now, let me make just a couple of applications. The first one is this, and I hope you understand this very clearly. Forsaking God's law praises the wicked. It sides with them. It commends them. It lifts them up. It elevates them. It magnifies them. But keeping God's law is contending or fighting against them. So God's law then enables us to discern right and wrong. It enables us enables us to discern what is holy and what is unholy. So how in the world can I look at Steve and say, well he's a wicked man if I don't know God's law. Or I could look at Steve and say, he's a godly man if I do not know God's law.

[John Weaver] How can I look at David and say, well David that's wrong. Right and wrong are not my determination, that's God's determination. That's why the Bible says in Psalm 15 in verse 4 talking about the righteous man, listen, in whose eyes a vile person is condemned, but he honoreth them that fear the Lord, he that sweareth to his own church heard and changeth not. Notice, in whose eyes a vile person is condemned. How can I say that's a vile person? Because he violates God's law. How can I say that is an honorable person? Because he obeys God's law. So obviously, when we forsake His law, we're praising the wicked. When we keep His law, we're contending with them.

[John Weaver] So that brings me to the second one. When we keep God's law, we're actually fighting against the wicked. It is our obedience that condemns their disobedience. That is one reason why they say, We don't want anybody preaching against sodomy. We don't want anybody preaching against abortion. We don't want anybody preaching against Fraud or socialism or Marxism or come why? because obviously It condemns them and they don't like being condemned. I They don't like their consciences being laid bare by God's Word.

[John Weaver] But that's why also the Bible says in Ephesians 5 and verse 11, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Wow. So, the third application is this. A failure to keep God's law or disobedience hinders prayer life. It not only hinders our prayer life, it makes our prayers where they can never be answered. What am I talking about? Look in Proverbs chapter 28 and verse 9. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 9. Remember now God's law is in the context. Proverbs 28 verse 9 look what the Bible says he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law Even his prayer shall be an abomination And the word abomination means a stench in God's nostrils God says if you don't listen to me I'm not gonna listen to you you turn your ear away from hearing my law even your prayer will stink and my nostrils I Won't hear it. I won't listen to it Which brings me down to the last application that's this we have to learn to live by principle.

[John Weaver] And the principles are founded upon God's law word, the Bible. When we refuse to live by these principles, it is idolatry. Because we're denying God and we're establishing ourselves and our own law. And what happens when we establish our own law, whenever we deny and despise a dethroned God, We're destroying ourselves and our families, our societies, and our nations. In Proverbs, chapter 8, verses 35 and 36, our Lord is speaking and he says this, for whosoever findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favor of the Lord. And that's true. Whoever finds Jesus Christ finds favor of the Lord and obtains life. But verse 36 goes on to say this, but he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul.

[John Weaver] All they that hate me love death. All they that hate me love death. All that a man can do without Jesus Christ, without the principles of the word of God, is die. All a family can do without Jesus Christ and without the law of God is die. All a society can do without Christ and His law is die. All a nation can do without Christ and His law is die. All they that hate me love death.

[John Weaver] You want to know why we're in the state that we're in in this country? It's because the wicked and vile who are in control love death. And they're willing to murder an entire society and population. Because they hate God and despise him and think that they know more than he does. All they that hate me love death. We must live by principle, not by feeling. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for your love We thank you for your word, your truth. We thank you for the principles that you've laid down in the Bible. Help us, Lord, to search them out, to live by them, to apply them, and may they be our daily guide and counsel. Give us grace, Lord, that we may serve thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear. In thy name we pray. Amen. ♪ ♪ you

Praising The Wicked

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	jYCJ95wI9_8
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Genesis: Abraham, Covenant, and Promise
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-06-19
Dictation Name
Book	Book 075: Genesis — Chapter 10
Source Timed Segments	66

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Text

Reading of Proverbs 28:4 and connection to previous message on reality, faith, and obedience.

In our Bibles today to Proverbs chapter 28, Proverbs 28, and we're going to be looking at verse 4. Proverbs 28 and verse 4. Notice that's in the Old Testament somewhere after Genesis. Alright, Proverbs 28 and verse 4, very short verse. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 28:4

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them."

Now watch that again,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 28:4

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them."

Last week I dealt with a message which I entitled, "Reality, Faith, and Obedience." I pointed out the fact how reality is not what man thinks or man wants or what man determines. Reality is what God says and what God states. And I pointed out the use of the English word utopia, how it's from the Greek, made up of the two Greek words topos, which means place, and u, which means no, it's a negative. So there's no such thing as a communist or Marxist or socialist utopia because it's all the figment of the imagination. It's in somebody's mind. It is not reality. Well, I could have figured today, well, this message being a continuation of that one. But I really titled this one "Praising the Wicked," hoping that maybe it would catch someone's eye when it's on the Internet and they would like to hear what it means to praise the wicked. It is seemingly everywhere you look the wicked are being praised. And certainly it is unseemly to praise them.

The Wicked Are Praised Everywhere

Observation that the wicked are publicly praised and wealthy, despite their destructive actions.

Who in his right mind would want to glorify murder and rape and kidnapping and theft? Well I mean except for Hollywood obviously. But I mean no one else would certainly want to do that. It's absolutely foolish to try to honor dishonorable men. And yet there are many wicked that are being publicly praised. In fact there are many wicked that are extremely wealthy. Think of George Soros. Think of the Kennedys. Think of the Clintons. Think of any of these old family dynasties. They're not only extremely wealthy, many of them hold high offices, and they hold a great deal of power.

And these individuals are usually constantly being held up as virtuous and generous individuals, when in reality what they're doing are destroying the lives of other individuals, families, societies and even our own nation. The truth is that God forbids us to put our hand with the wicked and he forbids us to cooperate with them in any way whatsoever. If you would hold Proverbs chapter 28 but look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Exodus chapter 23 and look at verses 1 and 2. Exodus 23 verses 1 and 2. Here God says very plainly, "Thou shalt not raise a false report."

God Forbids Cooperation with the Wicked

Scriptural commands not to join with the wicked, but to stand against them.

Well certainly we are not to be someone who begins rumors, and lies, and scandals, and things like that. So God says, "Thou shalt not raise a false report." Then He goes on to say this, "Put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness." So you are not going to cooperate with them to bring forth fraud, to perjure yourself. He says, no you are not going to do that, that is wicked and wrong. Then verse 2, He says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." So it doesn't matter if the largest majority is doing that which is wicked and wrong. God says we are not to follow a multitude to do evil. Then He says, "Neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." So we are not to do anything that would take away from His judgment and His justice. In fact the truth of the matter is God not only tells us not to cooperate with the wicked, He tells us to stand against them.

In fact in Psalm 94 and verse 16 He asks this question,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 94:16

"Who will rise up for me against the workers of iniquity, who will stand up for me against the evildoers?"

So God is looking for men and women that will rise up and stand against the wicked. In fact, in Amos 5, in verse 15, He says, "Hate the evil and love the good and establish judgment in the gate."

God's Anger and Judgment on the Wicked

Psalm 7 shows God's daily anger and prepared judgment against the unrepentant wicked.

Now I want you to look in Psalm 7, Psalm 7, because I could multiply passages. But let me show you one of the reasons God tells us not to cooperate with the wicked, not to help them, not to praise them, not to commend them, and that's simply because God's going to destroy them. So if you look in Psalm 7 and begin there with verse 11,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day."

So sinners may have many feast days, but they never, ever have a safe day. There's not a day in which God's anger is not burning hot against the wicked. So he says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"If he that is the wicked turn not, he, God, will whet his sword. He, God, hath bent his bow and made it ready. He, God, hath also prepared for him the instruments of death. He, that is God, ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors."

Now he's talking about the wicked.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"Behold, the wicked travaileth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood."

"He, the wicked, made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief, that is his sin, his wickedness, shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." So God is going to make them reap what they have sown. And God says ultimately it is all going to come back upon the head of the wicked.

How Can a Christian Praise the Wicked?

Exploration of how believers might ignorantly or through unbelief end up praising the wicked.

Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 1:13

Now in light of these scriptures, and there could be a multitude of scriptures multiplied in the same vein, so you have to ask this question. How could a Christian praise the wicked? Now, I am sure that probably there is no real Christian that's going to stand up and publicly praise and honor someone that is a real wicked and vile individual. The Bible tells us in the book of Habakkuk chapter 1 and verse 13 talking about God, "Thou canst not look upon iniquity and thou dost not see it." Now certainly God sees it to judge it, but what Habakkuk is saying God does not look upon it condoningly, He does not look upon it approvingly. And if God doesn't condone it and approve it very obviously neither can we. Now I am also sure that there are a multitude of professing Christians that ignorantly praise the wicked.

They have no idea exactly what they are doing. There is also this fact, there are many who profess to be saved who are not saved. There is a vast difference between a profession and a possession. There is a difference between being in the church and being in Jesus Christ. And there are a multitude of individuals who are in a church who are not Christians and certainly have not been converted. And there are many in the church therefore that are unconverted that will praise the wicked because they are wicked themselves and they see absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, you can look at some of the mainline denominations today and you'll find that a lot of these denominations have taken public stands for abortion, for sodomy, for all of these other things. And the reason they do so is because they swallowed the line of Marxism, or communism, or socialism, or the social gospel hook, line, and sinker. And you understand that. So it's not really those churches and those people that I want to deal with.

Living by Principle vs. Feeling

Contrast between a life guided by unchanging biblical principles and one guided by changing emotions.

Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings, by their emotions, by situations, by circumstances. You have to remember this: principles do not die. Principles do not have funerals and principles do not change. And yet your emotions change, your feelings change, your situations change. In fact Pat could testify that feelings change. He can feel good one day and hurt the next and you and I could do exactly the same. All we have to do is fall as well. The truth of the matter is this, we cannot live by our feelings. And I hear so many people say, well, I didn't feel like going to church, or I didn't feel like praying, or I didn't feel like studying my Bible. Or the situation that I was in, or the circumstances that prevented me. Really? Well, I want you to understand something. If you put it like this, there are basically two lifestyles. There is that lifestyle that is guided and directed and controlled by biblical principle. And then there is that lifestyle that is guided and controlled and directed by your feelings, by your emotions, by situations, and by circumstances.

And each one of these lifestyles have their own particular fruits and manifest themselves in different ways. In this day and age, most churches regardless whether or not they claim to be Bible believing churches, the truth is that most people still live by their feelings. They still live by their emotions. And I've seen people, I've seen Christians, real Christians who often times will come up and say something absolutely stupid. "Well I don't care what the truth is I know how I feel." And that's exactly how they live. Now I've also heard this complaint. I've heard the complaint that well the reason I'm like this is because the Bible doesn't cover every situation every circumstance. And I just don't know how to act in this situation this circumstance. Well now that's true, and that's untrue. It is true that you cannot find in your Bible, on a page in the Bible, every possible scenario that you could encounter in your life. If you did that, if you had a Bible like that, you couldn't carry it.

Principles from Proverbs 28:4

Identification of sowing and reaping, unintended consequences, contending for the faith, and faithfulness/unfaithfulness.

Well, first and most obvious, I would say, is the principle of sowing and reaping. You're familiar with that. When he says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." In other words, you're sowing something and you're reaping something. And then when he says, "But such as keep the law, contend with them." Again, you're sowing something and you're reaping something. So that's why in Galatians 6, 7, and 8, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 6:7-8

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, and he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

So, here's the principle of sowing and reaping.

Now, let me point out that all of these principles you're going to see are kind of intertwined. That is, they work together. The second principle that I'm going to point out in verse 4 is this. It's the principle of unintended consequences. For instance, He says they that forsake the law praise the wicked. So what do I mean by the principle of unintended consequences? Well, a man who says he's a Christian and a believer may not intend to praise the wicked. He may intend just to satisfy the lust of his flesh or the pride of life. But the result is that he ends up praising the wicked. So I can give you a number of illustrations on unintended consequences. So here's a man that wants to get drunk. That's his intention. He purposefully, deliberately, premeditates, "I'm gonna get drunk. That's all I want to do. Don't want to hurt anybody. I just want to be drunk." And he gets drunk. And then he starts driving. And there's a head-on collision and he kills a man and his wife and two of the children.

Now, did he intend to kill those people? No. No. But he's responsible because he was responsible not to get drunk. But here is what we call unintended consequences. He didn't necessarily sit down and say, "I'm going to drive drunk and murder some people today." It happened. Same way a man could go in with the intent on robbing a convenience store, or the intent on robbing a bank. And all he wants to do is to get the money, that's it. But when things go south and there is a confrontation he ends up shooting and murdering the clerk and that's it. So once again you have unintended consequences. So you can see in this passage that there are these unintended consequences.

Now there is a verse in the Bible that shows you this very clearly. It's Romans 14 in verse 7 where the Word of God says,

Scripture Reading — Romans 14:7

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself."

So everything that we do affects someone else. Whatever the children do ultimately affects the parents and whatever the parents do ultimately affect the children. What the husband does affects the wife, what the wife does affects the husband. None of us liveth to himself. None of us dieth to himself. So we may intend on a certain thing, but the outcome is quite different. So you have the principle here of unintended consequences. The third principle here is which is very obvious, is that of contending for the faith. He says in verse 4, "But such as keep the law, contend with them."

Now I'm going to explain this a little bit later, but let me remind you that Jude wrote in verse 3 in the book of Jude, he said,

Scripture Reading — Jude 1:3

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

So there is a principle then of contending for the faith. The fourth principle I believe is clearly seen in verse 4 is this, there is the principle of unfaithfulness with its attendant results. And there is the principle of faithfulness with its attendant results. So Proverbs 28 in verse 4 tells us that there are two principles here that are running side by side. There's a principle of unfaithfulness, which would include reaping what you've sown, unintended consequences. And then there is the principle of faithfulness, which would also include reaping what you've sown, and unintended consequences as well. So both principles are taught in the Bible. If we looked just momentarily at the principle of unfaithfulness and its attendant circumstances, we don't have to look any farther than Adam. The very first man in the Bible. The Bible says in Romans 5 in verse 12, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Now, it's an aorist passive when he says, "for all have sinned." It means it's happened once and for all, it's over and it's done with. When did all sin at one time? And the answer is in Adam when he fell, because Adam was our federal head, he was our representative. So all you have to do is read 1 Corinthians 15 and find that out. Do you think for one instant that Adam got up that morning and said, "Wow, this is the day that I'm going to sin against God and plunge my entire posterity into sin and death?"

Examples of Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness

Adam's unintended consequences, Demas's apostasy, and the faithfulness of Abraham and Moses.

Probably not. He may not have intended to do that. He may not have even thought about the consequences of it, but that is exactly what has happened. So, you can see how all of these principles kind of mesh together.

Now, let me point something out. I have only known really of one man, and he was not a Christian, who would actually do what I would call sitting down and thinking things through. We're in this room, probably none of us sit down and say, "Wait a minute now, before I act, before I do this, let me think this through. What is the possible scenario or scenarios? What could possibly go wrong? What could possibly happen?" "What would be the outcome? What would be the fruit?" Well, we don't do that. We just act. We just do what we want to do. Well it is. What did Paul say concerning Demas in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 10? Here is what he said,

Scripture Reading — 2 Timothy 4:10

"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica."

Now did Demas intend to apostatize? Did he intend to leave the Christian faith? Probably not. Probably what he said is something like this, "This is hard work. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of denying myself. I think I'm going to Thessalonica and just rest a while, have a little fun, relaxation." He didn't probably intend on apostatizing, yet he did. So I'm just simply saying all of these kind of mesh together and they run together as well. Now let me just take the

principle of faithfulness just for a moment and try to develop that thought. We could look at Abraham, we could look at Noah, we could look at Moses, and a host of others. But let me just pick Abraham and Moses. And I want you to turn in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 18 and then to James Chapter 2. Okay? Genesis 18 and then to James Chapter 2. So if you could find the book of James, we will come back there second. Hebrews, James. James Chapter 2. Just kind of hold that and then let's go to Genesis chapter 18 and let's begin there with verse 17. Genesis 18 and verse 17. Look what God says concerning Abraham and I tell you what this is absolutely phenomenal. Genesis chapter 18 and verse 17. You remember now God has come down to He's

going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Okay, and he knows Lot is there. And he says in verse 17, "And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?" Now watch what God said. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him." Notice what God said, "I know him." I know Abraham is going to teach his children. I know he's going to teach them to obey, to keep my word, to establish justice and judgment. I know him. I wonder if God could look upon any of us and say, "I know him. I know he's going to do what's right. I know he's going to be obedient. I know he's going to be holy."

"I know he's going to be godly." That's what he said about Abraham. Abraham was faithful. And if you look in James chapter 2 and verse 23 at what the Bible says concerning Abraham, watch this. James chapter 2 verse 23,

Scripture Reading — James 2:23

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

That's amazing. Abraham's obedience, Abraham's love won for him the title "the Friend of God.

Scripture Reading — James 2:23

" I wonder if that could be said of any of us, that we are the friend of God. Now, one last illustration. If you would turn right back to Hebrews chapter 3, just a few pages back from James. Hebrews chapter 3.

And let's begin reading verses 1 and we'll read through verse 5. Here is a comparison in one sense of the word between Jesus Christ and Moses, and yet there is no comparison, but yet there is in the sense of the word that Moses was faithful. Now watch, Hebrews 3 verse 1,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 3:1-5

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after."

So we don't have to look any further than Abraham and Moses for an example of faithfulness and how they reaped what they sowed and how even the unintended consequences in their lives were blessed and good.

They did not think of all the things that could happen, and yet it simply worked out. Did you know that the Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 2,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 4:2

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

And so each one of us happens to be a steward. We are a steward of whatever God has given unto us, and God said it is required that we be found faithful. Now, what I want to do is this, I want to show you two things in Proverbs 28 verse 4. I want you to look at it if you would. I want you to see first of all forsaking the law of God and its consequences. Proverbs 28 verse 4, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." Now there is a lot that could be said on this particular point. In fact I am sure that a series of sermons could be developed from this. But what I want to do is this, I want you to think just for a moment of this truth in a much broader scale.

Forsaking the Law Praises the Wicked

Forsaking God's law is forsaking God; it leads to praising and siding with the wicked.

So here is what I want you to do, I want you to forget for the moment that the Bible says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." I want to deal with that. But I want you to see this truth in a broader sense. Because when we forsake the law of God, we forsake God. You cannot separate God and His law. I've told you here hundreds of times that a king rules by his law. His law is an expression of his will for his people. If you would hold Proverbs 28 like say we're coming back there, but look in 1st Samuel chapter 8. 1st Samuel chapter 8. And in this passage the Israelites are demanding a king that they might be like all the other nations. And when they ask of Samuel a king in 1st Samuel chapter 8, the Bible says in verse 6,

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 8:6-7

"But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 8:6-7

"And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."

"According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee." Now go back to verse 7, "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: here it is, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me." That is, it was a personal rejection of God. Now notice this next phrase, "that I should not reign over them." How did God reign over them? By and through His law. So now what they want is they want a man to be their king. And so now that king is going to establish his own law. So the only way that you can really understand 1 Samuel chapter 8 is to see it as a transition from one law structure to another. The only way that you can understand what is happening in this country is to see it as a transition from one law structure to another. We used to be based upon biblical law. Now we're based upon humanistic law. If you look in 1 Samuel chapter 12 at verse 12, look what Samuel said to these people. 1 Samuel 12 verse 12, He said, "And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king." So actually what they did was they traded God for a man.

Now, let me take this a little bit farther. When you despise God's law, you're actually despising God. I told you earlier that God and His law are inseparable. I want you to look in 2 Samuel chapter 12. 2 Samuel chapter 12. And I want you to understand what is happening. 2 Samuel chapter 12. You remember David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. And he had Uriah the Hittite, her husband, killed with the sword of the children of Ammon. And look what God says. 2 Samuel 12, beginning there with verse 9. 2 Samuel 12, verse 9. God asked David,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 12:9-10

"Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?"

So I want you to note something. When we sin, it is a despising of God's law. He said,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 12:9-10

"Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 12:9-10

"Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife."

So obviously, you cannot despise God's law without despising God. So, God and His law are inseparable. Now, let me show you something else. I'm going to say this over and over. Sin never comes by itself. Sin produces sin. Sin always has a multitude in its harvest. Let's say this. What did David do when he saw Bathsheba? He coveted her. Maybe that's all he intended at first. But then that led him to inquire of her. And when she came in, since he was the king, he took her. Maybe that's all he intended until he found out that she was now with child. Which now led to the murder of Uriah. So the point I'm trying to make is, I want you to see sowing and reaping, but I want you to see unintended consequences as well. And I want you to see whether we're living by principle or whether we're living by feelings.

All of these things kind of merge together. And what happens when we sin, we basically dethrone God and enthrone ourselves. Because what we're saying in essence is, "I don't care what God said, I want this and I'm going to do this. And I don't care what God's law is, I'm going to make my own law, I'm going to do it right now for myself."

Now when you look back at Proverbs 28 and verse 4, He just simply says this: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." Well, that is just one consequence of forsaking the law, forsaking God, and despising God. There are other consequences. Sin does not travel alone. I've already said that. I want you to look in Luke chapter 11. Here's the illustration that our Lord gave. Luke 11 and let's begin there with verse 24. Here's a man who just simply attempts to reform himself. There's no salvation. He's just gonna reform himself. And in Luke 11 beginning there with verse 24, our Lord says,

Scripture Reading — Luke 11:24-26

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he,

and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." So sin produces sin. So the result, then, of forsaking the law of God that is mentioned in Proverbs 28 and verse 4 is that of praising the wicked. Now, I want you to stop with me, and I'm just showing you that this is just one of those consequences. Whether it's intended or not, it's one of the consequences. But in Proverbs 28 and verse 4, he says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." Let me tell you what the word praise means. It literally means to make praiseworthy, to boast, to commend, and to be worthy of praise. Now I want you to think with me just for a moment. What does God mean and what are the implications when He says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked"? So praising the wicked is one of the natural consequences of forsaking God's law. You have to remember this, that the law of God curses and condemns the wicked.

We saw that at the beginning of this message. The law of God curses and condemns the wicked. When we forsake God's law we side with the wicked and we say, no, the wicked are not wrong, God is wrong. These are wonderful people. They need to be commended. They need to be praised. They need to be held up. They need to be magnified. And so what we are doing in essence is we are siding with the wicked instead of siding with God.

And moreover, by praising them, we're helping to silence their conscience. Why? "Look at that preacher over there, or look at that Christian. Well, he doesn't think I'm that bad." I want you to look in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 12. I'm sorry, it's Psalm 12, Psalm 12. Psalm 12. And look if you would please at verse 8. You want to know what has happened in our country? Here it is. Psalm 12 verse 8. Look at it.

God says, "The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." You exalt vile men? Magnify them, you praise them, you hold them up as virtuous and praiseworthy. God says the wicked are going to abound and they're gonna walk on every side. Just look at Washington DC. Look at Atlanta, Georgia. Look at Tallahassee, Florida. Look in your Bibles at Psalm 10 and verse 3. Psalm 10 verse 3. He says, "For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth." Or whom the Lord hateth. What does the wicked do? They boast of their heart's desire and they bless the covetous or they bless the wicked to whom God is absolutely opposed. And then let me just quote this from the book of Malachi chapter 3 in verse 15. He said, "And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered."

In other words, we turn everything upside down. In Romans 1 in verse 32, after God delineates all of the wickedness of these people and their perversion, He ends up in verse 32 saying, talking about the rest, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." You want to know where we are today? There are people who uphold and praise the wicked because they have pleasure in those things. They do the same things and some who may not do them, if they could do them, they would do them. John Gill said it like this, listen carefully: "Who are like them who forsake and transgress the law as they do? Every like loves its like. Wicked men delight in sin and the transgression of the law and those that do it.

One covetous man will bless and praise another whom the Lord abhors, and commend his covetousness as frugality and good husbandry. One proud man will call another happy, and praise him as a man of spirit, that will not debase himself, but keep up his authority, rank, and dignity, and not condescend to men of low estates. The workers of iniquities are set up, and extolled, and tempters of God. Men of atheistical and deistical principles are not only delivered from the punishments they deserve, but are commended as bold spirits."

Keeping the Law Contends with the Wicked

Keeping (guarding) God's law means fighting against the wicked, as seen in David and Asa.

Now if forsaking the law praises the wicked, the opposite is keeping God's law contends with the wicked. Now when God speaks about keeping the law, He is not just simply referring to obeying. That is certainly part and parcel of it. But let me tell you what the word keep actually means. It is the Hebrew word shamar, and it literally means to keep, to guard, and protect. The word is translated in our Bibles as watchman eight times and as a keeper 28 times. It is the same word that is used of the Levites as they were to keep the tabernacle, they were to keep the charge of Aaron and his sons. For instance, if some stranger ran into the tabernacle or into the temple and tried to get in the Holy of Holies, or even attacked Aaron, what would happen to that individual? He'd be executed. He'd be put to death. Who would put him to death? The Levites, because they had the charge.

They were the sentry keepers. They were the doorkeepers. They were responsible. So the word keep then means more than just simply to obey. It also means to guard and to protect. That is, we treasure up God's law. We obey God's law. We guard against it in the sense that we do not violate it. We want to keep it inviolate. And we want to make sure that others keep God's law as well, because we recognize that this is the law of the great king. That's why I said in Isaiah 33 and verse 22, listen, "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us." So God is king, lawgiver, and judge. So it is only then as we obey that we contend with the wicked. Watch what he says in verse 4, "But such as keep the law contend with them." Now let me tell you what the word contend means. The word actually means to stir oneself up, or to strive, or to excite oneself against, or to engage in warfare and to wage war.

So the word contend actually basically means to fight. Now look what he said: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law fight with the wicked." I hope you understand that whether it's in real battle or whether or not you're watching fake wrestling on TV or you're watching the UFC which may not be quite as fake, but those men who were in there fighting are always called contenders. That's why he tells us that we're to contend for the faith, that is we're to fight for the faith. Let me show you just a couple of examples. David could not stand the foul-mouthed Goliath. And he could not stand to have the true God of Israel blasphemed as David said by an uncircumcised Philistine. And what did David say?

"Let no man's heart fail him for fear. I'll fight him. I'll take care of him. God delivered the bear and the lion into my hand and he'll deliver this uncircumcised Philistine. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it." And what did he do? He contended, he fought. King Asa was a godly man and a godly king and he hated idolatry. He hated anything that was contrary to God and he hated it so much, so listen to this, that King Asa removed his own mother from being Queen because she made an altar and an idol. What was he doing?

He was contending for the faith. He was fighting for the faith. So those who love God and love God's Law cannot be silent when evil is present. We cannot tolerate it. We cannot condone it. We cannot approve it in any way. We must lift up our voices and cry against it.

The Necessity of Preaching the Law

Proverbs 29:18 shows that without public preaching of the law, people perish (are made naked and vulnerable).

Now, let me show you something. Look at Proverbs 28 and verse 4 because there is a parallel verse I want you to see. Proverbs 28 verse 4, watch it: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law fight with the wicked or contend with them." Now look in Proverbs 29 and verse 18. Proverbs 29 verse 18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Now, these verses are actually parallel verses. They go together. Actually, a separate message needs to be preached on this verse, especially to explain the word vision, "where there is no vision, the people perish." When you look at the word vision there, it has nothing to do with a dream or trance or for some preacher saying, "I envision great things for this church" or "I had a vision you would work with me." That's not what that word means. Actually the word refers to prophecy or what you and I would call public preaching. Literally it says this, look at it: "Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people perish."

"But he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Now, look at this again. "Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people perish." The word perish is a very interesting word. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 32, because I'm going to tell you how this word is translated in the Bible, and then I'm going to show it to you. Look in Exodus chapter 32. Watch carefully, Exodus 32. Now the Bible says where there is no public preaching of God's law, people perish. The word perish is translated in our Bibles as naked, made bare, B-A-R-E, made naked. You remember how Aaron formed this golden calf from the earrings of these people in the fire. Of course now they're dancing around praising this stupid calf and saying, "These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." And notice if you would in Exodus 32 in verse

25, Moses is coming down from the mount. Look what he said: "And when Moses saw that the people were naked, (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies)." Ah, now go back to Proverbs 29 and look at verse 18. Watch it. "Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people are made naked." They're made bare. What does that mean? Well if you don't understand what it means, let me invite you to where we live in South Georgia in summertime and I will let you strip naked and you just run in my woods all you like day and night. You can find all the ticks, mosquitoes, and deer flies and

horseflies and whatever you want all over you and they will eat you alive. If you are naked you are vulnerable. If you are naked you're in trouble. You're in a state of perishing. You may not be dead at that moment, but you're not too far down the road from it. So here's what God is saying. God said, when there is no public preaching of the law, then people are perishing. We are left naked. We are stripped defenseless. We're ready to perish. So what he's telling us is this, that God's law is our clothing. It's our armor. It's our protection.

We can't live without it. And then he says, "Whoso keepeth the law, happy is he." So it's not just our happiness that is involved in keeping the law. Our life depends upon it. That would be the individual life. That would be the family life. That would be the church life. That would be the nation's life. Without it, we perish. Now, let me make just a couple of applications. The first one is this, and I hope you understand this very clearly. Forsaking God's law praises the wicked. It sides with them. It commends them. It lifts them up. It elevates them. It magnifies them. But keeping God's law is contending or fighting against them. So God's law then enables us to discern right and wrong. It enables us to discern what is holy and what is unholy. So how in the world can I look at Steve and say, "Well he's a wicked man" if I don't know God's law. Or I could look at Steve and say, "He's a godly man" if I do not know God's law.

Applications and Conclusion

Applications: God's law enables discernment, obedience condemns the wicked, disobedience hinders prayer, and rejecting God's law is idolatry leading to death.

How can I look at David and say, "Well David that's wrong." Right and wrong are not my determination, that's God's determination. That's why the Bible says in Psalm 15 in verse 4 talking about the righteous man, listen, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." Notice, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned." How can I say that's a vile person? Because he violates God's law. How can I say that is an honorable person? Because he obeys God's law. So obviously, when we forsake His law, we're praising the wicked. When we keep His law, we're contending with them.

So that brings me to the second one. When we keep God's law, we're actually fighting against the wicked. It is our obedience that condemns their disobedience. That is one reason why they say, "We don't want anybody preaching against sodomy. We don't want anybody preaching against abortion. We don't want anybody preaching against fraud or socialism or Marxism or communism." Why? Because obviously it condemns them and they don't like being condemned. They don't like their consciences being laid bare by God's Word.

But that's why also the Bible says in Ephesians 5 and verse 11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Wow. So, the third application is this. A failure to keep God's law or disobedience hinders prayer life. It not only hinders our prayer life, it makes our prayers where they can never be answered. What am I talking about? Look in Proverbs chapter 28 and verse 9. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 9. Remember now God's law is in the context. Proverbs 28 verse 9, look what the Bible says: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." And the word abomination means a stench in God's nostrils. God says if you don't listen to me, I'm not gonna listen to you. You turn your ear away from hearing my law, even your prayer will stink in my nostrils. I won't hear it. I won't listen to it. Which brings me down to the last application: that's this, we have to learn to live by principle.

And the principles are founded upon God's law word, the Bible. When we refuse to live by these principles, it is idolatry. Because we're denying God and we're establishing ourselves and our own law. And what happens when we establish our own law, whenever we deny and despise and dethrone God, we're destroying ourselves and our families, our societies, and our nations. In Proverbs, chapter 8, verses 35 and 36, our Lord is speaking and he says this, "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord." And that's true. Whoever finds Jesus Christ finds favor of the Lord and obtains life. But verse 36 goes on to say this, "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul."

"All they that hate me love death." All they that hate me love death. All that a man can do without Jesus Christ, without the principles of the word of God, is die. All a family can do without Jesus Christ and without the law of God is die. All a society can do without Christ and His law is die. All a nation can do without Christ and His law is die. All they that hate me love death. You want to know why we're in the state that we're in in this country? It's because the wicked and vile who are in control love death. And they're willing to murder an entire society and population. Because they hate God and despise him and think that they know more than he does. All they that hate me love death. We must live by principle, not by feeling. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for your love. We thank you for your word, your truth. We thank you for the principles that you've laid down in the Bible. Help us, Lord, to search them out, to live by them, to apply them, and may they be our daily guide and counsel. Give us grace, Lord, that we may serve thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear. In thy name we pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Inseparability of God and His Law

Summary: To forsake God's law is to forsake God Himself; the law expresses His will and reign.

Evidence: In 1 Samuel 8:7, God says Israel's request for a king is a rejection of Him, that He should not reign over them. In 2 Samuel 12:9-10, David's sin is called despising God's commandment and despising God.

Living by Principle vs. Feeling

Summary: Believers must be governed by unchanging biblical principles, not by fluctuating emotions or circumstances.

Evidence: The speaker states, 'Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings, by their emotions, by situations, by circumstances.'

The Consequences of Forsaking God's Law

Summary: Forsaking the law leads to praising the wicked, siding with them, and bringing judgment upon oneself.

Evidence: Proverbs 28:4 says, 'They that forsake the law praise the wicked.' The speaker explains this means commending and exalting the wicked.

The Duty to Contend with the Wicked

Summary: Keeping God's law involves actively fighting against the wicked, not tolerating or condoning evil.

Evidence: Proverbs 28:4 says, 'But such as keep the law contend with them.' The word 'contend' means to stir oneself up, strive, or wage war.

The Necessity of Preaching God's Law

Summary: Without the public proclamation of God's law, people are left defenseless and perish.

Evidence: Proverbs 29:18 is interpreted as 'Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people are made naked.' The word 'perish' is linked to being made bare or vulnerable.

Unintended Consequences of Sin

Summary: Sin often produces results beyond what was intended, such as a drunk driver killing others or Demas apostatizing.

Evidence: The speaker illustrates with a man who intends only to get drunk but causes a fatal accident, and Demas who loved the world and departed, likely not intending to apostatize.

Key Arguments

Forsaking God's law inevitably leads to praising the wicked.

Summary: When we abandon God's law, we side with the wicked and commend them, effectively calling God wrong.

Evidence: Proverbs 28:4 states, 'They that forsake the law praise the wicked.' The speaker explains that praising means to make praiseworthy, boast, commend.

Keeping God's law requires active contention against the wicked.

Summary: The Hebrew word for 'keep' means to guard and protect, and 'contend' means to fight; thus obedience involves warfare against evil.

Evidence: The speaker defines 'keep' (shamar) as to guard, and 'contend' as to stir oneself up or wage war. Examples: David fighting Goliath, Asa removing his idolatrous mother.

Rejecting God's law is rejecting God Himself.

Summary: God and His law are inseparable; to despise the law is to despise God.

Evidence: 1 Samuel 8:7 shows Israel's request for a king was a rejection of God's reign. 2 Samuel 12:9-10 equates despising God's commandment with despising God.

Sin produces unintended consequences beyond the sinner's intent.

Summary: Actions have ripple effects; a person may not intend the full outcome, but is still responsible.

Evidence: Illustrations: a drunk driver kills a family; a robber murders a clerk; Demas's love of the world led to apostasy.

Without the preaching of God's law, people are defenseless and perish.

Summary: Proverbs 29:18 teaches that the lack of public proclamation of the law leaves people naked and vulnerable to destruction.

Evidence: The speaker links 'vision' to public preaching, and 'perish' to being made naked (Exodus 32:25), illustrating vulnerability.

Disobedience to God's law hinders prayer.

Summary: Turning away from hearing God's law makes one's prayers an abomination to God.

Evidence: Proverbs 28:9: 'He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 28:4

Context: The central text: 'They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.'

Exodus 23:1-2

Context: Commands not to raise a false report, put hand with the wicked, or follow a multitude to do evil.

Psalm 94:16

Context: God asks who will rise up for Him against evildoers.

Amos 5:15

Context: Command to hate evil, love good, and establish judgment in the gate.

Psalm 7:11-16

Context: God is angry with the wicked every day and prepares instruments of death for them; their mischief returns on their own head.

Habakkuk 1:13

Context: God cannot look upon iniquity approvingly.

Psalm 111:2

Context: The works of the Lord are great, sought out by those who have pleasure in them.

Proverbs 25:2

Context: It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter.

Galatians 6:7-8

Context: Principle of sowing and reaping: whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Romans 14:7

Context: None of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

Jude 1:3

Context: Exhortation to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Romans 5:12

Context: By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; all sinned in Adam.

2 Timothy 4:10

Context: Demas forsook Paul, having loved this present world.

Genesis 18:17-19

Context: God knew Abraham would command his household to keep the way of the Lord.

James 2:23

Context: Abraham believed God and was called the Friend of God.

Hebrews 3:1-5

Context: Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Context: It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

1 Samuel 8:6-7

Context: Israel's request for a king was a rejection of God's reign over them.

2 Samuel 12:9-10

Context: David's sin is called despising God's commandment and despising God.

Luke 11:24-26

Context: An unclean spirit returns with seven others, making the last state worse; sin produces more sin.

Historical References

George Soros, Kennedys, Clintons

Context: Mentioned as examples of wealthy, powerful wicked individuals who are publicly praised.

Mainline denominations taking stands for abortion and sodomy

Context: Cited as evidence of unconverted church members praising wickedness due to swallowing Marxism/social gospel.

Push for Sharia law in America

Context: Mentioned as a consequence of forsaking God's law; praising the wicked leads to adopting contrary laws.

Important Quotes

They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

Significance: The central verse of the sermon, establishing the two contrasting responses to God's law.

Reality is not what man thinks or man wants or what man determines. Reality is what God says and what God states.

Significance: Foundation for living by God's principles rather than human feelings or ideologies.

God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Significance: Emphasizes God's continual opposition to the wicked, motivating believers not to side with them.

Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings, by their emotions, by situations, by circumstances.

Significance: Diagnoses a key problem in Christian living and introduces the call to principle-based obedience.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

Significance: Encourages believers to diligently seek out and apply biblical principles.

Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people are made naked.

Significance: Interpretation of Proverbs 29:18 showing the vital protective role of God's law proclaimed.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Significance: Warns that disobedience to God's law renders prayer unacceptable to God.

All they that hate me love death.

Significance: Concluding warning that rejecting Christ and His law is to embrace death for individuals, families, and nations.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to 'praise the wicked' in practical terms today, and how might Christians unknowingly do this?

Context: The sermon warns that forsaking God's law leads to praising the wicked, even unintentionally.

How can we distinguish between living by biblical principles and living by feelings or circumstances?

Context: The speaker contrasts two lifestyles and their fruits.

In what ways does keeping God's law involve actively contending or fighting against evil?

Context: The Hebrew word for 'contend' implies warfare; examples include David and Asa.

Why is the public preaching of God's law essential for the well-being of a society?

Context: Proverbs 29:18 is explained as showing that without it, people are made naked and perish.

How does the principle of unintended consequences affect our daily decisions and moral responsibility?

Context: Illustrations of drunk driving and Demas show that actions have far-reaching results.

What does it mean that God and His law are inseparable, and how should that shape our view of obedience?

Context: 1 Samuel 8 and 2 Samuel 12 show that rejecting God's law is rejecting God Himself.

How can we cultivate a heart that 'searches out' the principles of God's Word as kings?

Context: Proverbs 25:2 says it is the honor of kings to search out a matter.

What are some modern examples of 'the vilest men are exalted' and how should Christians respond?

Context: Psalm 12:8 is cited regarding the exaltation of vile men leading to wickedness abounding.

Applications

Live by biblical principles, not feelings.

Summary: Believers must govern their lives by the unchanging principles of God's Word rather than by fluctuating emotions or circumstances.

Evidence: The speaker states, 'Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings...' and calls for principle-based living.

Guard and obey God's law to contend against evil.

Summary: Keeping God's law means treasuring, obeying, and protecting it, which results in actively fighting against wickedness.

Evidence: The word 'keep' (shamar) means to guard; 'contend' means to fight. Examples: David fighting Goliath, Asa removing his idolatrous mother.

Do not cooperate with or praise the wicked.

Summary: Christians must not join hands with the wicked or commend them, as this sides with evil against God.

Evidence: Exodus 23:1-2 commands not to put hand with the wicked; Proverbs 28:4 says forsaking the law praises the wicked.

Search out and apply biblical principles.

Summary: It is the duty and honor of believers to diligently seek out the principles in Scripture and apply them to every situation.

Evidence: Proverbs 25:2 says it is the honor of kings to search out a matter; Psalm 111:2 says the works of the Lord are sought out by those who delight in them.

Do not hinder your prayers through disobedience.

Summary: Turning away from hearing God's law makes one's prayers an abomination; obedience is linked to effective prayer.

Evidence: Proverbs 28:9: 'He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.'

Recognize that rejecting God's law is idolatry and leads to death.

Summary: When we establish our own law, we dethrone God and bring destruction on ourselves, our families, and our nation.

Evidence: The speaker says, 'When we refuse to live by these principles, it is idolatry... we're destroying ourselves.' Proverbs 8:36: 'All they that hate me love death.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T22:24:47Z

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Clean Transcript

Praising The Wicked

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

In our Bibles today to Proverbs chapter 28, Proverbs 28, and we're going to be looking at verse 4. Proverbs 28 and verse 4. Notice that's in the Old Testament somewhere after Genesis. Alright, Proverbs 28 and verse 4, very short verse. The Bible says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them." Now watch that again, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them."
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Last week I dealt with a message which I entitled, "Reality, Faith, and Obedience." I pointed out the fact how reality is not what man thinks or man wants or what man determines. Reality is what God says and what God states. And I pointed out the use of the English word utopia, how it's from the Greek, made up of the two Greek words topos, which means place, and u, which means no, it's a negative. So there's no such thing as a communist or Marxist or socialist utopia because it's all the figment of the imagination. It's in somebody's mind. It is not reality. Well, I could have figured today, well, this message being a continuation of that one. But I really titled this one "Praising the Wicked," hoping that maybe it would catch someone's eye when it's on the Internet and they would like to hear what it means to praise the wicked. It is seemingly everywhere you look the wicked are being praised. And certainly it is unseemly to praise them.
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Who in his right mind would want to glorify murder and rape and kidnapping and theft? Well I mean except for Hollywood obviously. But I mean no one else would certainly want to do that. It's absolutely foolish to try to honor dishonorable men. And yet there are many wicked that are being publicly praised. In fact there are many wicked that are extremely wealthy. Think of George Soros. Think of the Kennedys. Think of the Clintons. Think of any of these old family dynasties. They're not only extremely wealthy, many of them hold high offices, and they hold a great deal of power.
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And these individuals are usually constantly being held up as virtuous and generous individuals, when in reality what they're doing are destroying the lives of other individuals, families, societies and even our own nation. The truth is that God forbids us to put our hand with the wicked and he forbids us to cooperate with them in any way whatsoever. If you would hold Proverbs chapter 28 but look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Exodus chapter 23 and look at verses 1 and 2. Exodus 23 verses 1 and 2. Here God says very plainly, "Thou shalt not raise a false report."
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Well certainly we are not to be someone who begins rumors, and lies, and scandals, and things like that. So God says, "Thou shalt not raise a false report." Then He goes on to say this, "Put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness." So you are not going to cooperate with them to bring forth fraud, to perjure yourself. He says, no you are not going to do that, that is wicked and wrong. Then verse 2, He says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." So it doesn't matter if the largest majority is doing that which is wicked and wrong. God says we are not to follow a multitude to do evil. Then He says, "Neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." So we are not to do anything that would take away from His judgment and His justice. In fact the truth of the matter is God not only tells us not to cooperate with the wicked, He tells us to stand against them.
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In fact in Psalm 94 and verse 16 He asks this question, "Who will rise up for me against the workers of iniquity, who will stand up for me against the evildoers?" So God is looking for men and women that will rise up and stand against the wicked. In fact, in Amos 5, in verse 15, He says, "Hate the evil and love the good and establish judgment in the gate."
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Now I want you to look in Psalm 7, Psalm 7, because I could multiply passages. But let me show you one of the reasons God tells us not to cooperate with the wicked, not to help them, not to praise them, not to commend them, and that's simply because God's going to destroy them. So if you look in Psalm 7 and begin there with verse 11, "God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day." So sinners may have many feast days, but they never, ever have a safe day. There's not a day in which God's anger is not burning hot against the wicked. So he says, "God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day." Now watch. "If he that is the wicked turn not, he, God, will whet his sword. He, God, hath bent his bow and made it ready. He, God, hath also prepared for him the instruments of death. He, that is God, ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors." Now he's talking about the wicked. "Behold, the wicked travaileth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood."
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"He, the wicked, made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief, that is his sin, his wickedness, shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." So God is going to make them reap what they have sown. And God says ultimately it is all going to come back upon the head of the wicked.
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Now in light of these scriptures, and there could be a multitude of scriptures multiplied in the same vein, so you have to ask this question. How could a Christian praise the wicked? Now, I am sure that probably there is no real Christian that's going to stand up and publicly praise and honor someone that is a real wicked and vile individual. The Bible tells us in the book of Habakkuk chapter 1 and verse 13 talking about God, "Thou canst not look upon iniquity and thou dost not see it." Now certainly God sees it to judge it, but what Habakkuk is saying God does not look upon it condoningly, He does not look upon it approvingly. And if God doesn't condone it and approve it very obviously neither can we. Now I am also sure that there are a multitude of professing Christians that ignorantly praise the wicked.
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They have no idea exactly what they are doing. There is also this fact, there are many who profess to be saved who are not saved. There is a vast difference between a profession and a possession. There is a difference between being in the church and being in Jesus Christ. And there are a multitude of individuals who are in a church who are not Christians and certainly have not been converted. And there are many in the church therefore that are unconverted that will praise the wicked because they are wicked themselves and they see absolutely nothing wrong with it.
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In fact, you can look at some of the mainline denominations today and you'll find that a lot of these denominations have taken public stands for abortion, for sodomy, for all of these other things. And the reason they do so is because they swallowed the line of Marxism, or communism, or socialism, or the social gospel hook, line, and sinker. And you understand that. So it's not really those churches and those people that I want to deal with.
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Multitudes of illustrations could be given in that area. But what I want to deal with is how could a Christian praise the wicked? How could anyone with what you and I would say with one eye and half sense want to do something like that? Well the truth is this, God has graciously given us principles to govern and to guide and direct our lives. And we're to be governed and controlled by those principles. But here's the problem.
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Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings, by their emotions, by situations, by circumstances. You have to remember this: principles do not die. Principles do not have funerals and principles do not change. And yet your emotions change, your feelings change, your situations change. In fact Pat could testify that feelings change. He can feel good one day and hurt the next and you and I could do exactly the same. All we have to do is fall as well. The truth of the matter is this, we cannot live by our feelings. And I hear so many people say, well, I didn't feel like going to church, or I didn't feel like praying, or I didn't feel like studying my Bible. Or the situation that I was in, or the circumstances that prevented me. Really? Well, I want you to understand something. If you put it like this, there are basically two lifestyles. There is that lifestyle that is guided and directed and controlled by biblical principle. And then there is that lifestyle that is guided and controlled and directed by your feelings, by your emotions, by situations, and by circumstances.
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And each one of these lifestyles have their own particular fruits and manifest themselves in different ways. In this day and age, most churches regardless whether or not they claim to be Bible believing churches, the truth is that most people still live by their feelings. They still live by their emotions. And I've seen people, I've seen Christians, real Christians who often times will come up and say something absolutely stupid. "Well I don't care what the truth is I know how I feel." And that's exactly how they live. Now I've also heard this complaint. I've heard the complaint that well the reason I'm like this is because the Bible doesn't cover every situation every circumstance. And I just don't know how to act in this situation this circumstance. Well now that's true, and that's untrue. It is true that you cannot find in your Bible, on a page in the Bible, every possible scenario that you could encounter in your life. If you did that, if you had a Bible like that, you couldn't carry it.
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But what God has done is He has given us principles, which we are to deduce and which we are to apply and follow, and those principles will cover every situation in every circumstance. So I could say it like this. God has given us a concise carry. He's also given us a concealed carry because you can take one so small and put it in your pocket. No one even knows it's there, but yet you can still take it out and live by the principles there. Now let me show you. I want
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you to look in your Bibles first of all to Psalm 111 and then we're going to Proverbs 25. Look in Psalm 111 and notice if you would verse 2. Psalm 111 verse 2. Psalm 111 and verse 2, God says, "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." So God has some great works. And it's not just his providence, his creation, and his redemption, but the works of the Lord are great. And notice he says, those works, those truths, those principles, those things are sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. So if someone does not have pleasure in truth and in righteousness, well, he's not going to seek them out. If you will look in the book of Proverbs chapter 25 and verse 2, the Word of God says it like this, Proverbs 25 verse 2, the Bible says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." So it is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but it is the honor of kings to search out a matter.
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What does the Scripture tell us? That our God, our Lord Jesus Christ has made us kings and priests to the Father. Well, if it's the glory of God to conceal a thing and the honor of kings to search out a matter, what he's telling us is very simple. That it's our duty, our responsibility, our obligation, as well as our privilege to search out the principles in the Word of God and learn to apply them to our lives.
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Now, I want you to look at Proverbs 28 and verse 4. I'm going to show you some things that I think are just simply lying on the surface before we ever get to look at this verse in detail. When he says in Proverbs 28 in verse 4, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them." So what kind of principles can we draw just from this verse?
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Well, first and most obvious, I would say, is the principle of sowing and reaping. You're familiar with that. When he says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." In other words, you're sowing something and you're reaping something. And then when he says, "But such as keep the law, contend with them." Again, you're sowing something and you're reaping something. So that's why in Galatians 6, 7, and 8, the Bible says, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, and he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." So, here's the principle of sowing and reaping.
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Now, let me point out that all of these principles you're going to see are kind of intertwined. That is, they work together. The second principle that I'm going to point out in verse 4 is this. It's the principle of unintended consequences. For instance, He says they that forsake the law praise the wicked. So what do I mean by the principle of unintended consequences? Well, a man who says he's a Christian and a believer may not intend to praise the wicked. He may intend just to satisfy the lust of his flesh or the pride of life. But the result is that he ends up praising the wicked. So I can give you a number of illustrations on unintended consequences. So here's a man that wants to get drunk. That's his intention. He purposefully, deliberately, premeditates, "I'm gonna get drunk. That's all I want to do. Don't want to hurt anybody. I just want to be drunk." And he gets drunk. And then he starts driving. And there's a head-on collision and he kills a man and his wife and two of the children.
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Now, did he intend to kill those people? No. No. But he's responsible because he was responsible not to get drunk. But here is what we call unintended consequences. He didn't necessarily sit down and say, "I'm going to drive drunk and murder some people today." It happened. Same way a man could go in with the intent on robbing a convenience store, or the intent on robbing a bank. And all he wants to do is to get the money, that's it. But when things go south and there is a confrontation he ends up shooting and murdering the clerk and that's it. So once again you have unintended consequences. So you can see in this passage that there are these unintended consequences.
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Now there is a verse in the Bible that shows you this very clearly. It's Romans 14 in verse 7 where the Word of God says, "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." So everything that we do affects someone else. Whatever the children do ultimately affects the parents and whatever the parents do ultimately affect the children. What the husband does affects the wife, what the wife does affects the husband. None of us liveth to himself. None of us dieth to himself. So we may intend on a certain thing, but the outcome is quite different. So you have the principle here of unintended consequences. The third principle here is which is very obvious, is that of contending for the faith. He says in verse 4, "But such as keep the law, contend with them."
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Now I'm going to explain this a little bit later, but let me remind you that Jude wrote in verse 3 in the book of Jude, he said, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." So there is a principle then of contending for the faith. The fourth principle I believe is clearly seen in verse 4 is this, there is the principle of unfaithfulness with its attendant results. And there is the principle of faithfulness with its attendant results. So Proverbs 28 in verse 4 tells us that there are two principles here that are running side by side. There's a principle of unfaithfulness,
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which would include reaping what you've sown, unintended consequences. And then there is the principle of faithfulness, which would also include reaping what you've sown, and unintended consequences as well. So both principles are taught in the Bible. If we looked just momentarily at the principle of unfaithfulness and its attendant circumstances, we don't have to look any farther than Adam. The very first man in the Bible. The Bible says in Romans 5 in verse 12, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Now, it's an aorist passive when he says, "for all have sinned." It means it's happened once and for all, it's over and it's done with. When did all sin at one time? And the answer is in Adam when he fell, because Adam was our federal head, he was our representative. So all you have to do is read 1 Corinthians 15 and find that out. Do you think for one instant that Adam got up that morning and said, "Wow, this is the day that I'm going to sin against God and plunge my entire posterity into sin and death?"
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Probably not. He may not have intended to do that. He may not have even thought about the consequences of it, but that is exactly what has happened. So, you can see how all of these principles kind of mesh together.
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Now, let me point something out. I have only known really of one man, and he was not a Christian, who would actually do what I would call sitting down and thinking things through. We're in this room, probably none of us sit down and say, "Wait a minute now, before I act, before I do this, let me think this through. What is the possible scenario or scenarios? What could possibly go wrong? What could possibly happen?"
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"What would be the outcome? What would be the fruit?" Well, we don't do that. We just act. We just do what we want to do. Well it is. What did Paul say concerning Demas in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 10? Here is what he said, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica." Now did Demas intend to apostatize? Did he intend to leave the Christian faith? Probably not. Probably what he said is something like this, "This is hard work. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of denying myself. I think I'm going to Thessalonica and just rest a while, have a little fun, relaxation." He didn't probably intend on apostatizing, yet he did. So I'm just simply saying all of these kind of mesh together and they run together as well. Now let me just take the
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principle of faithfulness just for a moment and try to develop that thought. We could look at Abraham, we could look at Noah, we could look at Moses, and a host of others. But let me just pick Abraham and Moses. And I want you to turn in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 18 and then to James Chapter 2. Okay? Genesis 18 and then to James Chapter 2. So if you could find the book of James, we will come back there second. Hebrews, James. James Chapter 2. Just kind of hold that and then let's go to Genesis chapter 18 and let's begin there with verse 17. Genesis 18 and verse 17. Look what God says concerning Abraham and I tell you what this is absolutely phenomenal. Genesis chapter 18 and verse 17. You remember now God has come down to He's
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going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Okay, and he knows Lot is there. And he says in verse 17, "And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?" Now watch what God said. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him." Notice what God said, "I know him." I know Abraham is going to teach his children. I know he's going to teach them to obey, to keep my word, to establish justice and judgment. I know him. I wonder if God could look upon any of us and say, "I know him. I know he's going to do what's right. I know he's going to be obedient. I know he's going to be holy."
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"I know he's going to be godly." That's what he said about Abraham. Abraham was faithful. And if you look in James chapter 2 and verse 23 at what the Bible says concerning Abraham, watch this. James chapter 2 verse 23, "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." That's amazing. Abraham's obedience, Abraham's love won for him the title "the Friend of God." I wonder if that could be said of any of us, that we are the friend of God. Now, one last illustration. If you would turn right back to Hebrews chapter 3, just a few pages back from James. Hebrews chapter 3.
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And let's begin reading verses 1 and we'll read through verse 5. Here is a comparison in one sense of the word between Jesus Christ and Moses, and yet there is no comparison, but yet there is in the sense of the word that Moses was faithful.
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Now watch, Hebrews 3 verse 1, "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after." So we don't have to look any further than Abraham and Moses for an example of faithfulness and how they reaped what they sowed and how even the unintended consequences in their lives were blessed and good.
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They did not think of all the things that could happen, and yet it simply worked out. Did you know that the Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 2, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." And so each one of us happens to be a steward. We are a steward of whatever God has given unto us, and God said it is required that we be found faithful. Now, what I want to do is this, I want to show you two things in Proverbs 28 verse 4. I want you to look at it if you would. I want you to see first of all forsaking the law of God and its consequences. Proverbs 28 verse 4, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." Now there is a lot that could be said on this particular point. In fact I am sure that a series of sermons could be developed from this. But what I want to do is this, I want you to think just for a moment of this truth in a much broader scale.
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So here is what I want you to do, I want you to forget for the moment that the Bible says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." I want to deal with that. But I want you to see this truth in a broader sense. Because when we forsake the law of God, we forsake God. You cannot separate God and His law. I've told you here hundreds of times that a king rules by his law. His law is an expression of his will for his people.
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If you would hold Proverbs 28 like say we're coming back there, but look in 1st Samuel chapter 8. 1st Samuel chapter 8. And in this passage the Israelites are demanding a king that they might be like all the other nations. And when they ask of Samuel a king in 1st Samuel chapter 8, the Bible says in verse 6, "But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord." Now watch. "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
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"According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee." Now go back to verse 7, "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: here it is, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me." That is, it was a personal rejection of God.
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Now notice this next phrase, "that I should not reign over them." How did God reign over them? By and through His law. So now what they want is they want a man to be their king. And so now that king is going to establish his own law. So the only way that you can really understand 1 Samuel chapter 8 is to see it as a transition from one law structure to another. The only way that you can understand what is happening in this country is to see it as a transition from one law structure to another. We used to be based upon biblical law. Now we're based upon humanistic law. If you look in 1 Samuel chapter 12 at verse 12, look what Samuel said to these people. 1 Samuel 12 verse 12, He said, "And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king." So actually what they did was they traded God for a man.
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Now, let me take this a little bit farther. When you despise God's law, you're actually despising God. I told you earlier that God and His law are inseparable. I want you to look in 2 Samuel chapter 12. 2 Samuel chapter 12. And I want you to understand what is happening. 2 Samuel chapter 12. You remember David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. And he had Uriah the Hittite, her husband, killed with the sword of the children of Ammon. And look what God says. 2 Samuel 12, beginning there with verse 9. 2 Samuel 12, verse 9. God asked David, "Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?" So I want you to note something. When we sin, it is a despising of God's law. He said, "Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon." Now watch. "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife."
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So obviously, you cannot despise God's law without despising God. So, God and His law are inseparable.
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Now, let me show you something else. I'm going to say this over and over. Sin never comes by itself. Sin produces sin. Sin always has a multitude in its harvest. Let's say this. What did David do when he saw Bathsheba? He coveted her. Maybe that's all he intended at first. But then that led him to inquire of her. And when she came in, since he was the king, he took her. Maybe that's all he intended until he found out that she was now with child. Which now led to the murder of Uriah. So the point I'm trying to make is, I want you to see sowing and reaping, but I want you to see unintended consequences as well. And I want you to see whether we're living by principle or whether we're living by feelings.
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All of these things kind of merge together. And what happens when we sin, we basically dethrone God and enthrone ourselves. Because what we're saying in essence is, "I don't care what God said, I want this and I'm going to do this. And I don't care what God's law is, I'm going to make my own law, I'm going to do it right now for myself."
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Now when you look back at Proverbs 28 and verse 4, He just simply says this: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." Well, that is just one consequence of forsaking the law, forsaking God, and despising God. There are other consequences. Sin does not travel alone. I've already said that. I want you to look in Luke chapter 11. Here's the illustration that our Lord gave. Luke 11 and let's begin there with verse 24. Here's a man who just simply attempts to reform himself. There's no salvation. He's just gonna reform himself. And in Luke 11 beginning there with verse 24, our Lord says, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he,
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and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." So sin produces sin. So the result, then, of forsaking the law of God that is mentioned in Proverbs 28 and verse 4 is that of praising the wicked.
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Now, I want you to stop with me, and I'm just showing you that this is just one of those consequences. Whether it's intended or not, it's one of the consequences. But in Proverbs 28 and verse 4, he says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." Let me tell you what the word praise means. It literally means to make praiseworthy, to boast, to commend, and to be worthy of praise. Now I want you to think with me just for a moment. What does God mean and what are the implications when He says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked"? So praising the wicked is one of the natural consequences of forsaking God's law. You have to remember this, that the law of God curses and condemns the wicked.
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We saw that at the beginning of this message. The law of God curses and condemns the wicked. When we forsake God's law we side with the wicked and we say, no, the wicked are not wrong, God is wrong. These are wonderful people. They need to be commended. They need to be praised. They need to be held up. They need to be magnified. And so what we are doing in essence is we are siding with the wicked instead of siding with God.
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And moreover, by praising them, we're helping to silence their conscience. Why? "Look at that preacher over there, or look at that Christian. Well, he doesn't think I'm that bad." I want you to look in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 12. I'm sorry, it's Psalm 12, Psalm 12. Psalm 12. And look if you would please at verse 8. You want to know what has happened in our country? Here it is. Psalm 12 verse 8. Look at it.
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God says, "The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." You exalt vile men? Magnify them, you praise them, you hold them up as virtuous and praiseworthy. God says the wicked are going to abound and they're gonna walk on every side. Just look at Washington DC. Look at Atlanta, Georgia. Look at Tallahassee, Florida. Look in your Bibles at Psalm 10 and verse 3. Psalm 10 verse 3. He says, "For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth." Or whom the Lord hateth. What does the wicked do? They boast of their heart's desire and they bless the covetous or they bless the wicked to whom God is absolutely opposed. And then let me just quote this from the book of Malachi chapter 3 in verse 15. He said, "And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered."
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In other words, we turn everything upside down. In Romans 1 in verse 32, after God delineates all of the wickedness of these people and their perversion, He ends up in verse 32 saying, talking about the rest, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." You want to know where we are today? There are people who uphold and praise the wicked because they have pleasure in those things. They do the same things and some who may not do them, if they could do them, they would do them. John Gill said it like this, listen carefully: "Who are like them who forsake and transgress the law as they do? Every like loves its like. Wicked men delight in sin and the transgression of the law and those that do it.
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One covetous man will bless and praise another whom the Lord abhors, and commend his covetousness as frugality and good husbandry. One proud man will call another happy, and praise him as a man of spirit, that will not debase himself, but keep up his authority, rank, and dignity, and not condescend to men of low estates. The workers of iniquities are set up, and extolled, and tempters of God. Men of atheistical and deistical principles are not only delivered from the punishments they deserve, but are commended as bold spirits."
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Look at what is happening in America. If you desire to praise the wicked, the easiest and the simplest way is to forsake God's law. That is why there is such a push in this country now to establish Sharia law, because we have forsaken God's law. And in doing so, we're praising the wicked. We're praising those who are absolutely contrary to God. Now look in Proverbs 28 and verse 7. Proverbs 28 verse 7. "Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father." A wise son is one that keeps the law. An unwise and a foolish son dishonors his father and praises wicked men by associating with them and participating in their wickedness. Now God says here is faithlessness to the law of God and its consequences: we end up praising the wicked and siding with them. Very quickly I want you to see the second truth and that is faithfulness to the law of God and its consequences. He says in verse 4 the latter part, "But such as keep the law contend with them."
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Now if forsaking the law praises the wicked, the opposite is keeping God's law contends with the wicked. Now when God speaks about keeping the law, He is not just simply referring to obeying. That is certainly part and parcel of it. But let me tell you what the word keep actually means. It is the Hebrew word shamar, and it literally means to keep, to guard, and protect. The word is translated in our Bibles as watchman eight times and as a keeper 28 times. It is the same word that is used of the Levites as they were to keep the tabernacle, they were to keep the charge of Aaron and his sons. For instance, if some stranger ran into the tabernacle or into the temple and tried to get in the Holy of Holies, or even attacked Aaron, what would happen to that individual? He'd be executed. He'd be put to death. Who would put him to death? The Levites, because they had the charge.
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They were the sentry keepers. They were the doorkeepers. They were responsible. So the word keep then means more than just simply to obey. It also means to guard and to protect. That is, we treasure up God's law. We obey God's law. We guard against it in the sense that we do not violate it. We want to keep it inviolate. And we want to make sure that others keep God's law as well, because we recognize that this is the law of the great king. That's why I said in Isaiah 33 and verse 22, listen, "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us." So God is king, lawgiver, and judge. So it is only then as we obey that we contend with the wicked. Watch what he says in verse 4, "But such as keep the law contend with them." Now let me tell you what the word contend means. The word actually means to stir oneself up, or to strive, or to excite oneself against, or to engage in warfare and to wage war.
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So the word contend actually basically means to fight. Now look what he said: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law fight with the wicked." I hope you understand that whether it's in real battle or whether or not you're watching fake wrestling on TV or you're watching the UFC which may not be quite as fake, but those men who were in there fighting are always called contenders. That's why he tells us that we're to contend for the faith, that is we're to fight for the faith. Let me show you just a couple of examples. David could not stand the foul-mouthed Goliath. And he could not stand to have the true God of Israel blasphemed as David said by an uncircumcised Philistine. And what did David say?
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"Let no man's heart fail him for fear. I'll fight him. I'll take care of him. God delivered the bear and the lion into my hand and he'll deliver this uncircumcised Philistine. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it." And what did he do? He contended, he fought. King Asa was a godly man and a godly king and he hated idolatry. He hated anything that was contrary to God and he hated it so much, so listen to this, that King Asa removed his own mother from being Queen because she made an altar and an idol. What was he doing?
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He was contending for the faith. He was fighting for the faith. So those who love God and love God's Law cannot be silent when evil is present. We cannot tolerate it. We cannot condone it. We cannot approve it in any way. We must lift up our voices and cry against it.
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Now, let me show you something. Look at Proverbs 28 and verse 4 because there is a parallel verse I want you to see. Proverbs 28 verse 4, watch it: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law fight with the wicked or contend with them." Now look in Proverbs 29 and verse 18. Proverbs 29 verse 18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Now, these verses are actually parallel verses. They go together. Actually, a separate message needs to be preached on this verse, especially to explain the word vision, "where there is no vision, the people perish." When you look at the word vision there, it has nothing to do with a dream or trance or for some preacher saying, "I envision great things for this church" or "I had a vision you would work with me." That's not what that word means. Actually the word refers to prophecy or what you and I would call public preaching. Literally it says this, look at it: "Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people perish."
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"But he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Now, look at this again. "Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people perish." The word perish is a very interesting word. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 32, because I'm going to tell you how this word is translated in the Bible, and then I'm going to show it to you. Look in Exodus chapter 32. Watch carefully, Exodus 32. Now the Bible says where there is no public preaching of God's law, people perish. The word perish is translated in our Bibles as naked, made bare, B-A-R-E, made naked. You remember how Aaron formed this golden calf from the earrings of these people in the fire. Of course now they're dancing around praising this stupid calf and saying, "These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." And notice if you would in Exodus 32 in verse
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25, Moses is coming down from the mount. Look what he said: "And when Moses saw that the people were naked, (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies)." Ah, now go back to Proverbs 29 and look at verse 18. Watch it. "Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people are made naked." They're made bare. What does that mean? Well if you don't understand what it means, let me invite you to where we live in South Georgia in summertime and I will let you strip naked and you just run in my woods all you like day and night. You can find all the ticks, mosquitoes, and deer flies and
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horseflies and whatever you want all over you and they will eat you alive. If you are naked you are vulnerable. If you are naked you're in trouble. You're in a state of perishing. You may not be dead at that moment, but you're not too far down the road from it. So here's what God is saying. God said, when there is no public preaching of the law, then people are perishing. We are left naked. We are stripped defenseless. We're ready to perish. So what he's telling us is this, that God's law is our clothing. It's our armor. It's our protection.
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We can't live without it. And then he says, "Whoso keepeth the law, happy is he." So it's not just our happiness that is involved in keeping the law. Our life depends upon it. That would be the individual life. That would be the family life. That would be the church life. That would be the nation's life. Without it, we perish. Now, let me make just a couple of applications. The first one is this, and I hope you understand this very clearly. Forsaking God's law praises the wicked. It sides with them. It commends them. It lifts them up. It elevates them. It magnifies them. But keeping God's law is contending or fighting against them. So God's law then enables us to discern right and wrong. It enables us to discern what is holy and what is unholy. So how in the world can I look at Steve and say, "Well he's a wicked man" if I don't know God's law. Or I could look at Steve and say, "He's a godly man" if I do not know God's law.
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How can I look at David and say, "Well David that's wrong." Right and wrong are not my determination, that's God's determination. That's why the Bible says in Psalm 15 in verse 4 talking about the righteous man, listen, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." Notice, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned." How can I say that's a vile person? Because he violates God's law. How can I say that is an honorable person? Because he obeys God's law. So obviously, when we forsake His law, we're praising the wicked. When we keep His law, we're contending with them.
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So that brings me to the second one. When we keep God's law, we're actually fighting against the wicked. It is our obedience that condemns their disobedience. That is one reason why they say, "We don't want anybody preaching against sodomy. We don't want anybody preaching against abortion. We don't want anybody preaching against fraud or socialism or Marxism or communism." Why? Because obviously it condemns them and they don't like being condemned. They don't like their consciences being laid bare by God's Word.
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But that's why also the Bible says in Ephesians 5 and verse 11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Wow. So, the third application is this. A failure to keep God's law or disobedience hinders prayer life. It not only hinders our prayer life, it makes our prayers where they can never be answered. What am I talking about? Look in Proverbs chapter 28 and verse 9. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 9. Remember now God's law is in the context. Proverbs 28 verse 9, look what the Bible says: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." And the word abomination means a stench in God's nostrils. God says if you don't listen to me, I'm not gonna listen to you. You turn your ear away from hearing my law, even your prayer will stink in my nostrils. I won't hear it. I won't listen to it. Which brings me down to the last application: that's this, we have to learn to live by principle.
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And the principles are founded upon God's law word, the Bible. When we refuse to live by these principles, it is idolatry. Because we're denying God and we're establishing ourselves and our own law. And what happens when we establish our own law, whenever we deny and despise and dethrone God, we're destroying ourselves and our families, our societies, and our nations. In Proverbs, chapter 8, verses 35 and 36, our Lord is speaking and he says this, "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord." And that's true. Whoever finds Jesus Christ finds favor of the Lord and obtains life. But verse 36 goes on to say this, "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul."
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"All they that hate me love death." All they that hate me love death. All that a man can do without Jesus Christ, without the principles of the word of God, is die. All a family can do without Jesus Christ and without the law of God is die. All a society can do without Christ and His law is die. All a nation can do without Christ and His law is die. All they that hate me love death.
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You want to know why we're in the state that we're in in this country? It's because the wicked and vile who are in control love death. And they're willing to murder an entire society and population. Because they hate God and despise him and think that they know more than he does. All they that hate me love death. We must live by principle, not by feeling. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for your love. We thank you for your word, your truth. We thank you for the principles that you've laid down in the Bible. Help us, Lord, to search them out, to live by them, to apply them, and may they be our daily guide and counsel. Give us grace, Lord, that we may serve thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear. In thy name we pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T22:24:47Z

Praising The Wicked

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver expounds Proverbs 28:4, teaching that forsaking God's law leads to praising the wicked, while keeping God's law leads to contending against them. He emphasizes living by biblical principles rather than feelings, and warns that disobedience brings unintended consequences, including siding with evil and inviting God's judgment. The sermon calls believers to guard God's law, contend for the faith, and recognize that rejecting God's law is rejecting God Himself.

Introduction and Text

Reading of Proverbs 28:4 and connection to previous message on reality, faith, and obedience.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 28:4

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them."

Now watch that again,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 28:4

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them."

The Wicked Are Praised Everywhere

Observation that the wicked are publicly praised and wealthy, despite their destructive actions.

God Forbids Cooperation with the Wicked

Scriptural commands not to join with the wicked, but to stand against them.

In fact in Psalm 94 and verse 16 He asks this question,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 94:16

"Who will rise up for me against the workers of iniquity, who will stand up for me against the evildoers?"

So God is looking for men and women that will rise up and stand against the wicked. In fact, in Amos 5, in verse 15, He says, "Hate the evil and love the good and establish judgment in the gate."

God's Anger and Judgment on the Wicked

Psalm 7 shows God's daily anger and prepared judgment against the unrepentant wicked.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day."

So sinners may have many feast days, but they never, ever have a safe day. There's not a day in which God's anger is not burning hot against the wicked. So he says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"If he that is the wicked turn not, he, God, will whet his sword. He, God, hath bent his bow and made it ready. He, God, hath also prepared for him the instruments of death. He, that is God, ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors."

Now he's talking about the wicked.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 7:11-16

"Behold, the wicked travaileth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood."

How Can a Christian Praise the Wicked?

Exploration of how believers might ignorantly or through unbelief end up praising the wicked.

Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 1:13

Now in light of these scriptures, and there could be a multitude of scriptures multiplied in the same vein, so you have to ask this question. How could a Christian praise the wicked? Now, I am sure that probably there is no real Christian that's going to stand up and publicly praise and honor someone that is a real wicked and vile individual. The Bible tells us in the book of Habakkuk chapter 1 and verse 13 talking about God, "Thou canst not look upon iniquity and thou dost not see it." Now certainly God sees it to judge it, but what Habakkuk is saying God does not look upon it condoningly, He does not look upon it approvingly. And if God doesn't condone it and approve it very obviously neither can we. Now I am also sure that there are a multitude of professing Christians that ignorantly praise the wicked.

Living by Principle vs. Feeling

Contrast between a life guided by unchanging biblical principles and one guided by changing emotions.

Principles from Proverbs 28:4

Identification of sowing and reaping, unintended consequences, contending for the faith, and faithfulness/unfaithfulness.

Scripture Reading — Galatians 6:7-8

"Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, and he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

So, here's the principle of sowing and reaping.

Now there is a verse in the Bible that shows you this very clearly. It's Romans 14 in verse 7 where the Word of God says,

Scripture Reading — Romans 14:7

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself."

Now I'm going to explain this a little bit later, but let me remind you that Jude wrote in verse 3 in the book of Jude, he said,

Scripture Reading — Jude 1:3

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Examples of Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness

Adam's unintended consequences, Demas's apostasy, and the faithfulness of Abraham and Moses.

Scripture Reading — 2 Timothy 4:10

"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica."

Scripture Reading — James 2:23

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

That's amazing. Abraham's obedience, Abraham's love won for him the title "the Friend of God.

Scripture Reading — James 2:23

" I wonder if that could be said of any of us, that we are the friend of God. Now, one last illustration. If you would turn right back to Hebrews chapter 3, just a few pages back from James. Hebrews chapter 3.

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 3:1-5

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after."

They did not think of all the things that could happen, and yet it simply worked out. Did you know that the Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 2,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 4:2

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Forsaking the Law Praises the Wicked

Forsaking God's law is forsaking God; it leads to praising and siding with the wicked.

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 8:6-7

"But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 8:6-7

"And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 12:9-10

"Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?"

So I want you to note something. When we sin, it is a despising of God's law. He said,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 12:9-10

"Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 12:9-10

"Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife."

Scripture Reading — Luke 11:24-26

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he,

Keeping the Law Contends with the Wicked

Keeping (guarding) God's law means fighting against the wicked, as seen in David and Asa.

The Necessity of Preaching the Law

Proverbs 29:18 shows that without public preaching of the law, people perish (are made naked and vulnerable).

Applications and Conclusion

Applications: God's law enables discernment, obedience condemns the wicked, disobedience hinders prayer, and rejecting God's law is idolatry leading to death.

Praising The Wicked

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	jYCJ95wI9_8
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Genesis: Abraham, Covenant, and Promise
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-06-19
Dictation Name
Book	Book 075: Genesis — Chapter 10
Source Timed Segments	66

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Text: Reading of Proverbs 28:4 and connection to previous message on reality, faith, and obedience.
The Wicked Are Praised Everywhere: Observation that the wicked are publicly praised and wealthy, despite their destructive actions.
God Forbids Cooperation with the Wicked: Scriptural commands not to join with the wicked, but to stand against them.
God's Anger and Judgment on the Wicked: Psalm 7 shows God's daily anger and prepared judgment against the unrepentant wicked.
How Can a Christian Praise the Wicked?: Exploration of how believers might ignorantly or through unbelief end up praising the wicked.
Living by Principle vs. Feeling: Contrast between a life guided by unchanging biblical principles and one guided by changing emotions.
Principles from Proverbs 28:4: Identification of sowing and reaping, unintended consequences, contending for the faith, and faithfulness/unfaithfulness.
Examples of Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness: Adam's unintended consequences, Demas's apostasy, and the faithfulness of Abraham and Moses.
Forsaking the Law Praises the Wicked: Forsaking God's law is forsaking God; it leads to praising and siding with the wicked.
Keeping the Law Contends with the Wicked: Keeping (guarding) God's law means fighting against the wicked, as seen in David and Asa.
The Necessity of Preaching the Law: Proverbs 29:18 shows that without public preaching of the law, people perish (are made naked and vulnerable).
Applications and Conclusion: Applications: God's law enables discernment, obedience condemns the wicked, disobedience hinders prayer, and rejecting God's law is idolatry leading to death.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Forsaking God's law inevitably leads to praising the wicked.

When we abandon God's law, we side with the wicked and commend them, effectively calling God wrong.

Proverbs 28:4 states, 'They that forsake the law praise the wicked.' The speaker explains that praising means to make praiseworthy, boast, commend.

Keeping God's law requires active contention against the wicked.

The Hebrew word for 'keep' means to guard and protect, and 'contend' means to fight; thus obedience involves warfare against evil.

The speaker defines 'keep' (shamar) as to guard, and 'contend' as to stir oneself up or wage war. Examples: David fighting Goliath, Asa removing his idolatrous mother.

Rejecting God's law is rejecting God Himself.

God and His law are inseparable; to despise the law is to despise God.

1 Samuel 8:7 shows Israel's request for a king was a rejection of God's reign. 2 Samuel 12:9-10 equates despising God's commandment with despising God.

Sin produces unintended consequences beyond the sinner's intent.

Actions have ripple effects; a person may not intend the full outcome, but is still responsible.

Illustrations: a drunk driver kills a family; a robber murders a clerk; Demas's love of the world led to apostasy.

Without the preaching of God's law, people are defenseless and perish.

Proverbs 29:18 teaches that the lack of public proclamation of the law leaves people naked and vulnerable to destruction.

The speaker links 'vision' to public preaching, and 'perish' to being made naked (Exodus 32:25), illustrating vulnerability.

Disobedience to God's law hinders prayer.

Turning away from hearing God's law makes one's prayers an abomination to God.

Proverbs 28:9: 'He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 28:4: The central text: 'They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.'
Exodus 23:1-2: Commands not to raise a false report, put hand with the wicked, or follow a multitude to do evil.
Psalm 94:16: God asks who will rise up for Him against evildoers.
Amos 5:15: Command to hate evil, love good, and establish judgment in the gate.
Psalm 7:11-16: God is angry with the wicked every day and prepares instruments of death for them; their mischief returns on their own head.
Habakkuk 1:13: God cannot look upon iniquity approvingly.
Psalm 111:2: The works of the Lord are great, sought out by those who have pleasure in them.
Proverbs 25:2: It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter.
Galatians 6:7-8: Principle of sowing and reaping: whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Romans 14:7: None of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
Jude 1:3: Exhortation to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Romans 5:12: By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; all sinned in Adam.
2 Timothy 4:10: Demas forsook Paul, having loved this present world.
Genesis 18:17-19: God knew Abraham would command his household to keep the way of the Lord.
James 2:23: Abraham believed God and was called the Friend of God.
Hebrews 3:1-5: Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant.
1 Corinthians 4:2: It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
1 Samuel 8:6-7: Israel's request for a king was a rejection of God's reign over them.
2 Samuel 12:9-10: David's sin is called despising God's commandment and despising God.
Luke 11:24-26: An unclean spirit returns with seven others, making the last state worse; sin produces more sin.

Historical References

George Soros, Kennedys, Clintons: Mentioned as examples of wealthy, powerful wicked individuals who are publicly praised.
Mainline denominations taking stands for abortion and sodomy: Cited as evidence of unconverted church members praising wickedness due to swallowing Marxism/social gospel.
Push for Sharia law in America: Mentioned as a consequence of forsaking God's law; praising the wicked leads to adopting contrary laws.

Important Quotes

They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

The central verse of the sermon, establishing the two contrasting responses to God's law.

Reality is not what man thinks or man wants or what man determines. Reality is what God says and what God states.

Foundation for living by God's principles rather than human feelings or ideologies.

God judges the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Emphasizes God's continual opposition to the wicked, motivating believers not to side with them.

Most professing Christians and most real Christians are not guided by principle. They're guided by their feelings, by their emotions, by situations, by circumstances.

Diagnoses a key problem in Christian living and introduces the call to principle-based obedience.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

Encourages believers to diligently seek out and apply biblical principles.

Where there is no public preaching of the law, the people are made naked.

Interpretation of Proverbs 29:18 showing the vital protective role of God's law proclaimed.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Warns that disobedience to God's law renders prayer unacceptable to God.

All they that hate me love death.

Concluding warning that rejecting Christ and His law is to embrace death for individuals, families, and nations.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean to 'praise the wicked' in practical terms today, and how might Christians unknowingly do this?

[Context]

The sermon warns that forsaking God's law leads to praising the wicked, even unintentionally.

[Question]

How can we distinguish between living by biblical principles and living by feelings or circumstances?

[Context]

The speaker contrasts two lifestyles and their fruits.

[Question]

In what ways does keeping God's law involve actively contending or fighting against evil?

[Context]

The Hebrew word for 'contend' implies warfare; examples include David and Asa.

[Question]

Why is the public preaching of God's law essential for the well-being of a society?

[Context]

Proverbs 29:18 is explained as showing that without it, people are made naked and perish.

[Question]

How does the principle of unintended consequences affect our daily decisions and moral responsibility?

[Context]

Illustrations of drunk driving and Demas show that actions have far-reaching results.

[Question]

What does it mean that God and His law are inseparable, and how should that shape our view of obedience?

[Context]

1 Samuel 8 and 2 Samuel 12 show that rejecting God's law is rejecting God Himself.

[Question]

How can we cultivate a heart that 'searches out' the principles of God's Word as kings?

[Context]

Proverbs 25:2 says it is the honor of kings to search out a matter.

[Question]

What are some modern examples of 'the vilest men are exalted' and how should Christians respond?

[Context]

Psalm 12:8 is cited regarding the exaltation of vile men leading to wickedness abounding.

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T13:57:35Z