Proverbs 20:6-10

Prov 20:6 (KJB)

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

 

One of the chief characteristics found in most people today is that they are not shy to speak of how great they are. (Prov 12:15 KJV) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Even a fool is right in his own eyes and when we hear people brag about how good they are or how great they can do something, our spiritual antennas better go up because those who have to brag, are really void of what they are proclaiming. The second part of this verse speaks about finding a faithful man. That is one who is not proclaiming self but is confident without bragging. Many times in business those with the biggest mouths deliver the least and those who are quiet and deliver the most are normally the ones passed over for promotion and we wonder why so many companies get in trouble when incompetence seems to be the most promotable characteristic. This also has a spiritual application to it. Many religious people brag about how good they do things or what they have done when in comparison to eternal things, they have done nothing. The faithful man is the one who is saved and can be called upon to be involved with the Great Commission. The Great Commission is not just handing out tracts or supporting missions, it has also to do with training young Christians, discipleship, teaching and maturing young believers of the next generation. A faithful Christian will take this seriously.

 

Prov 20:7 (KJB)

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

 

If there is one thing that a Christian parent must leave for their children, it is a spiritual legacy. The decisions that we make today will have an effect into the future for our children. Let us think grammatically about the Perfect Tense. It denotes a one time action but the results of that action are extended into the future. Whenever we make a decision, its effects are felt into the future and will affect others. This is why a man who has integrity will only make decisions which will affect others for the good. He will always consider his children when making present decisions. This is why they are blessed even after he goes home to be with the Lord. Now let us look at this in a different light. When we bring the Gospel and a person becomes saved, they will be blessed long after we are gone, in fact, that blessing continues because they will now send forth the Gospel and will have spiritual children, as ones who have become saved through their ministries.

 

Prov 20:8 (KJB)

A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

 

Scattereth - Winnows

 

The king would normally administer justice as part of his rulership. Here we read that the king scattereth away all evil just with his eyes. Now the word “scattereth” carries with it the idea of winnowing. When someone winnows grain, they toss it up in the air and the chaff is blown away by the wind and only the edible grain comes back down. Solomon uses winnowing as a symbol of separating the good from the evil. Just like one that winnows, the King was supposed to do the same thing for the people, to separate out the wicked from among the righteous and his guide was to be the word of God because every king was supposed to have a copy.

 

Prov 20:9 (KJB)

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

 

This verse refers back to 20:6 when a person claims their own goodness. They are only words and 20:9 speaks of having a clean heart and being pure from sin. First of all, no one can cleanse their own heart by some type of good works or even repentance of their evil deeds because soon they will go right back to them, especially when they are no longer accused. The only ones who can rightfully claim that their heart is clean and pure from sin are those who have become saved. (Psa 103:12 KJV) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Christ didn’t just cover our sins but He completely removed every single one. This is why the Christian struggles with sin, because they have a clean heart, which is pure from sin, enclosed in a body which still lusts after sin. This Proverbs verse speaks about cleansing of the heart, which no one can do, only God can do that through salvation. He removes all of our sin so the believer is readied for Heaven the moment they become saved. That is why the thief on the cross when right to Heaven because his soul was cleansed by Christ from every sin.

Prov 20:10 (KJB)

Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

 

One of the tenets of the Christian life is to be honest. In this verse, weights and measures are being used as a picture from business that those in business are to deal properly with customers and vendors. This Proverb carries way beyond business as it extends to our Christian walk. We are to deal honestly with all those we come in contact with. It is basically linked to the command to love your neighbor and our neighbor is anyone who is in our path at any given time. We must never bring false witness or do anything to hurt anyone. We are to live peacefully with all if possible. (Rom 12:18 KJV) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. In the ancient world, when merchants would weigh out product for a customer, they would have a set of stones which would offset the balance and weigh out the proper amount. Sometimes they carried two sets of stones and one was used on the non-Israelite which was the set that was light in its weight and therefore the customer was cheated.

 

This, God abhorred, because He wanted His people to deal honestly with all. This is the same in Christianity, as we are not to have a double standard. We must treat all people equally since we do not know if one of them is going to become a believer. Another aspect of this proverb is dealing with people in the spiritual realm. As Christians we are to bring the whole counsel of God and not just a portion. Too many Christians bring a “God loves you” gospel and never bring the reality of judgment. When we witness to people, we must bring the total truth and not just a partial. God expects us to deal properly with His Word and not to add to it or leave parts out. (Prov 6:16 KJV) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: Remember Proverbs 6:16, where one thing is an abomination unto the Lord? It is the one who sows discord among the brethren. (Prov 6:19 KJV) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. God expects us to bring the whole truth and not just the parts which we like. All are to hear the full counsel of God. (Acts 20:27 KJV) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Paul was the great example for this because he did not change his message based upon who he was speaking to and that should be our model. There are those today who claim the Jews do not need Christ because they are God’s chosen people and are already saved. John Hagee preaches this lie as others do also. He has changed the stones. If anyone, Jews included, die without Christ, they will stand in the judgment and sentenced to eternal damnation. No one outside of Christ will ever be welcomed into Heaven.

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