Praising or Contending with the Wicked – Proverbs 28:4

Proverbs for Life

Proverbs 28:4 – “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.”

In the book of the Proverbs, a proverb is often presented in two lines, presenting a comparison or contrast.  Proverbs 28:4 presents a truth of contrast.  Whereas those who forsake the righteousness law of God’s Holy Word will endorse the wicked, those who keep the righteous law of God’s Holy Word will contend with the wicked.

Interpretation (Content)

The first contrast of this proverb concerns the character of the subject in each line.  Both lines describe a category of individuals in accord with their relationship and response to the righteous law of God’s Holy Word.  The category of individuals in the first line is described as those who “forsake the law.”  Such individuals are characterized by a walk of disobedience to God’s Word.  They reject, refuse, and resist the counsels and commands, principles and precepts, standards and statutes, wisdom and warning of God’s Holy Word, in order that they might follow after the selfishness, sinfulness, and stubbornness of their own way.  The category of individuals in the second line is described as those who “keep the law.”  Such individuals are characterized by a pursuit after obedience to God’s Word.  They submissively receive, faithfully respond to, and delightedly rejoice in the counsels and commands, principles and precepts, standards and statutes, wisdom and warning of God’s Holy Word, in order that they might be governed, guided, and guarded thereby.

The second contrast of this proverb concern the conduct of the subject in each line.  Both lines describe this conduct in accord with its relationship and response to the wicked one’s of this world.  In the first line, the conduct of those who are characterized as forsaking the law is described as praising the wicked.  In so many different ways, those who forsake obedience to the righteous law of God’s Holy Word, who are by definition wicked themselves, will endorse other wicked individuals in their wickedness.  They will demonstrate their unity, support, and pleasure with the wickedness of the wicked.  In the second line, the conduct of those who are character as keeping the law is described as contending with the wicked. 

In contrast to those who forsake the law, those who pursue obedience to the righteous law of God’s Holy Word will be deeply grieved at the wickedness of the wicked (See Psalm 119:53, 136, 158) and will firmly and faithfully contend against that wickedness.  They will not be sinfully contentious in their manner, but spiritually meek (See 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Galatians 6:1).   Yet they will not compromise the righteous law of God’s Word, but will ever contend against anyone or anything that stands in contrast to it.

Indeed, our own character will influence our supportiveness of others in their manner of conduct.  If we ourselves are disobedient to God’s Word, we will endorse the disobedience of others (even if only by excusing it) and will stand in conflict with those who walk in the righteous law of God’s Word.  On the other hand, if we ourselves pursue obedience to God’s Word, we will contend with the disobedience of others (through spiritual reproof and rebuke – See Ephesians 5:11) and will stand in union with those who walk in the righteous law of God’s Word (See 2 Timothy 2:22).

Integration (Context)

Other verses in Proverbs 28 expand upon the contrast between those who forsake the righteous law of God’s Holy Word and those who keep the righteous law of God’s Holy Word.  Proverbs 28:4 presented the contrast in their character (disobedient versus obedient) and the contrast in their conduct (endorsing the wicked versus contending with the wicked). 

Proverbs 28:5 presents the contrast in their spiritual comprehension (discernment) – “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.”

Proverbs 28:7, 23 presents the contrast in their companionship – “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.”  “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.”  (Note that these verses also help to explain the contrast in their conduct.  Whereas those who forsake the righteous law of God’s Holy Word will praise the wicked through their companionship and their flattery (excusing them and endorsing them), those who keep the righteous law of God’s Holy Word will contend with the wicked through their uncompromising obedience and godly rebuke.)

Proverbs 28:9-10, 18 presents the contrast in their consequences – “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.  Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.”  “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.”

Instruction (Contact)

So then, we ourselves must examine ourselves whether we are forsaking (walking in disobedience to) the righteous law of God’s Holy Word or whether we are keeping (pursuing after obedience to) the righteous law of God’s Holy Word.  If we are forsaking the law of God’s Word in our daily walk, then let us repent thereof.  Let us not stubbornly attempt to cover our sinful disobedience, but let us confess our sinful disobedience with a broken and contrite heart of repentance (See Proverbs 28:13-14).  Let us not deceive ourselves that being under God’s grace grants us the freedom to forsake the righteousness law of God’s Holy Word (See Romans 6:1-23; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 2:15-16; 2 Peter 2:18-19; Jude 1:3-4).  Rather, let us submit ourselves to the lesson of God’s grace that we are thereby empowered to keep the righteous law of God’s Holy Word (See Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-13; Romans 13:12-14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:17-24; Titus 2:11-12; etc.)

Furthermore, we must examine ourselves whether we are in any way endorsing or excusing the wickedness of the wicked.  Such conduct is itself sinful disobedience to the righteous law of God’s Holy Word, and it demonstrates some sinful flaw in the character of our hearts.  Let us then repent of this sinful character and conduct also.

Finally, we must examine ourselves whether we are faithfully contending against the wickedness of the wicked.  Yet in our examination thereof, we must also examine whether we are doing so in a godly manner with a godly spirit.  If not, then let us repent of this sinful disobedience also.

Posted in Proverbs for Life, Rebellion against God, Walk in Righteousness, Godly Communication, Godly Companionship

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