In this proverb, the two parts express the same idea in slightly different terms. An evildoer is simply someone who wantonly breaks God’s law. He does evil. A liar tells lies of all kinds: slander, simple deceit, and false testimony. The evildoer is “all ears” for someone’s evil plans, and the liar is happy to be part of mischievous and hurtful tales.
The father’s point in this proverb is to urge his son not to listen to wicked words. A wise son will never join evildoers or join liars. How should he behave when faced with such temptations? Not hear! Without a welcome, hurtful words, and evil schemes usually evaporate. If no one bought supermarket gossip magazines, they would disappear. If no one forwarded or reported Internet slander, it would lose its sting. The power of the mean Tweet lies in its repetition, not in itself. The more powerful the evil listener, however, the more dangerous his hearing ears! King David vowed, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; none who utter lies shall continue before my eyes (Psalm 101:7).” David broke his vow and allowed his deceitful and murderous son Absalom to return home from exile, opening the door to Absalom’s sedition against him and the death of many in the ensuing civil war.
Good people must make it clear that they do not welcome wicked words. Some time ago, I heard the TV financial commentator, Jim Cramer, respond to a question about Game of Thrones with these sharp words: “That show is pornography, and I don’t talk about pornography!” The on air exchange ended immediately. One of my responses to a student in class who said, “Oh God!” was to ask, “Do you pray often? Tell me about your prayer life.” That question always stopped blasphemous talk instantly.
Sometimes refusing to listen to wicked talk exacts a price. Potiphar’s wife kept saying to Joseph, “Lie with me.” When he refused one time too often, she framed him on a charge of attempted rape, and her husband had to send his most productive and faithful slave to prison. It takes courage to make it clear that lawless talk is unwelcome, but weakness or interest that listens to mischief reveal a person’s true character: there is something of the liar in him. The godly remember that they live before the face of God, who sees what happens in secret and rewards openly. They therefore do not dare to offer hearing ears to malicious gossip, illicit flirtations, slander of the innocent, or offers of stolen goods. A wise son will not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor sit with scoffers, lest he become like them and end up as chaff which the wind blows away (Psalm 1).
By Dr. Bill Edgar, former chair of the Geneva College Board of Trustees, former Geneva College President and longtime pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)
Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community offering over 115 traditional undergraduate majors and programs to help students serve wholeheartedly and faithfully in their life's work. For more information, contact Admissions - 800.847.8255 or admissions@geneva.edu.
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Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Nov 1, 2018
Faithful Doubt: Habakkuk, written by pastor Travis Scott, explores the short prophetic book of Habakkuk, in a practical and meaningful way through the lens of a doubter. Travis approaches the passage of scripture from an honest and humble perspective, recalling difficulties experienced as a husband, father, and pastor.
Dr. J. Ligon Duncan of Reformed Theological Seminary delivered the spring 2021 Commencement address at Geneva College on May 10, 2021. Here is an excerpt of that message, entitled, "Every Good Work," from 2 Timothy 3. This excerpt first appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Geneva Magazine.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
As busy as college students are, it can be profoundly beneficial for them to seek out and engage in a routine Bible study. Diving deeper into their faith, exploring what the world’s challenges mean to them, and creating a Christian-based path forward can give any college student the direction he or she needs to achieve their best life. Still, it’s not always easy to make that decision—instead of a night with friends or yet another study session for a high-level math class, go to Bible study instead.
Handing our cares and worries over to God gives us peace which keeps us from falling into doubt, as stated in Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
What should someone with wealth do? Solomon writes, “Pay attention to it and know its condition.” He uses the example of sheep and goats. Wise parents blessed with wealth will teach their children how to work to maintain it. Wise children will accept the burdens of responsibility that go with family wealth, always remembering that riches do not last forever.
The Book of Proverbs has no use for the gullible, viewing them as willful fools. Even when everyone else can see a hateful, deceitful person for what he is, the gullible choose to believe gracious words.
At Easter, a good question to ask is, "How are people saved?" This should be a question that Christians can easily answer, and indeed most can. However, sometimes Christians are less knowledgeable about the doctrine of justification and its important distinctions than perhaps they should be.
How should leaders deal with difficult situations in difficult times? Geneva College’s John Gallo and Jenna Bieber provide a guidebook for leaders. "Lessons from Cain and Abel to Guide Leaders Through Turbulent Times" walks readers through the account of Cain and Abel to teach leaders the importance of justice, mercy, harmony and equality.
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