To Follow Christ, Is to Love Those Around You – (Proverbs 17:8-9)
Daily Proverbs
Daily Bible Study
In these passages, God is contrasting the works of the righteous with those of the wicked. The righteous seek what is good, honest and they work only in the best interest of the people around them and those they meet. This is contrasted with the wicked who seek to harm, destroy and get ahead at any cost whether it be bribery or gossip. The wicked seek any occasion to attack others. Therefore, it's the wicked person who uses the excuse, "I am only being honest." They use this excuse not for integrity's sake, but as a means to attack others, or to speak ill of those they dislike in public. What these passages speak about is the attitude of a heart controlled by our sin-nature. A heart that focuses not on God in submission to the Holy Spirit, but focussed on self and in submission to the desires of the flesh. In these verses God is using the metaphor of a gift, why?
Because gifts are given out of love for the recipient, and that is the thought here. God speaks of those things we do for others because of the love we have for them and not for ourselves. These passages speak of a heart that is filled with love and mercy and focussed not on self, but on others. A heart in submission to the guidance of the Lord. And a true friend speaks directly to people and gives advice in private and they do so to build others up, not to tear them down. They give gifts out of love and have a desire to help those in need through times of trials and strife. A true friend does not gossip, but protects. As followers of Jesus, we are to care for those around us, seek the lost, help those in need and grow in the grace of Christ through the study of His word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are to take hold of the blessings that God has given us and use them to proclaim the light of the Gospel to a world that is perishing in darkness.