Failing to Live by The Truth of God’s Word
October 19, 2020
Commentary
Man is constantly striving to get ahead in this life and often leaves God out in the process. It may seem good at the time but in the end it will be death and eternal separation from God forever (v. 12). By his laughter a person may give the impression that he is enjoying life when actually his heart is hurting (v. 13). This verse is so important that it is repeated again in (Prov. 16:25).
A backslider is one who has given up ground once taken for God (v.14). There is a big difference between a person who is backsliden and one who has gone apostate. The backslider is one who fails to carry out the truth of God’s Word. The apostate is a person who gives up the truth entirely and denies the Lord that he once professed to believe in. No true believer ever becomes an apostate. Peter was an example of a backslider.
A contrast is made between the simple and the prudent (vv. 15-17). The simple is easily influenced and the prudent thinks things through before he acts. The prudent man knows that he can’t trust himself and therefore puts his trust in the word of the living God. The simple on the other hand refuses to listen to anyone and led by his own lustful desires he rushes on in self-confidence that often brings his own destruction. He is often hated by others because of his scheming and underhandedness in order to get his way.
Application
Have you ever met people who fit the description given in (vv. 12-13)? I never want to be in a backslidden condition. It is my desire to always have a heart for God.
Proverbs 14:13– 17 (NET)
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.
14 The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his.
15 A naive person will believe anything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.
16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.
17 A person who has a quick temper will do foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes will be hated.
Illustration: Revival is a New Beginning of Obedience to God
A revival always includes the conviction of sin on the part of the church…In a true revival, Christians are always brought under such convictions, they see their sins in such light, that often they find it impossible to maintain a hope of their acceptance with God. Backslidden Christians will be brought to repentance. A revival is a new beginning of obedience to God. A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians. It brings them to such vantage ground that they get a fresh impulse towards heaven. They have a new foretaste of heaven, and new desire after union with God; and the charm of the world is broken, and the power of sin overcome…Their hearts will be broken down and changed” (Charles Finney, Revival of Religion, pages 15-17).