Those who plant injustice will reap disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. -Proverbs 22:8, New Living Translation

Architect of chaos. Discipler of corruption. But hold on. It won’t last.

Proverbs 22:8 offers both a warning on the current state of things and a future encouragement.

One could choose to ignore the current state of things occurring under this Administration. (To note, I have also criticized the Biden Administration on certain actions and policies given my work in public policy). To look the other way, to stay silent, accepting that whatever this Administration breaks or destroys is worth advancing certain cultural and policy agendas that seemed impossible to obtain before now. However, the breaking and destroying of things is seldom contained to one area–especially if the one breaking the items is not held accountable.

Lawlessness does not restrain itself. It feels no impunity, believing it has the freedom to commit wrongdoing that is justifiable. Lawlessness operates without restraint because it does not fear correction or consequences. It counts on its actions eventually being normalized by the larger society so the next offense committed is less likely to be challenged. Lawlessness run amuck seemingly without redress, without justice, is what has grieved me and many others watching the actions carried out by this Administration. A man who delights in causing chaos, who is constantly plotting evil, operates in iniquity, speaks falsely (lies), has no regard for others and seeks the retribution of all opposing him, has discipled others to behave likewise in carrying out his agenda. And some continue to refer to him as “a man of peace” while in the same breath saying, “I like how he uses his anger to get what he wants.” 🤔

I love God’s Word and most certainly Proverbs for its precious and unvarnished wisdom, warnings and life instruction intended to make us wise should we take heed. It is spiritual understanding applied to our earthly living here and is quite useful for quickly discerning schemes and snares so we are not partakers or victims. The wisdom of Proverbs also helps us easily sift through another person’s true intentions which are sometimes cloaked in deception. They speak as one who will “benefit” you, but eventually serving only destruction. Someone said if someone lies to you, that’s one thing. If they deceive you, then you bought the lie. Proverbs 6:12-19 references such people who lie, deceive, whose hands shed innocent blood, whose feet rush into evil and delight in stirring strife.

Knowledge of God’s Word opens the door to wisdom. Particularly for those of us who study God’s Word, we would be foolish to not apply it in all circumstances.

It is dangerous when the Church is not willing to call such people to account for their wickedness. We don’t walk alongside the world’s behaviors or employ the devil’s tools and tactics and call it “godliness.” The Church, the body of Christ was never meant to. Doing so will most certainly backfire, particularly diminishing our witness to the world.

If we test the spirits as instructed in 1 John 4:1, we will discern the deceivers and imposters. It feels like we are in the midst of Proverbs 22:8 in which the wicked are prospering from unjust gains, but we are promised in this same verse that this will come to an end. It will not last.

The Life Application Study Bible (NIV) offers this excellent side-by-side comparison on righteousness and wickedness from Proverbs. (See photos below)

What is produced within a person and outside of them by choosing to engage in either righteousness or wickedness is very distinct. As you can see, righteousness and wickedness have never been twins, for what fellowship has light with darkness? The question is will we choose to recognize, receive, and apply God’s truth regardless.

If we as those who proclaim Christ do not have the moral courage to call out wickedness, to call out depravity, to call out injustice, then we are complicit with it.

Jesus’ life represents how we live in radical community with others; to serve as a bridge to Christ. As I reflect on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend and upcoming observance, I pray that the body of Christ will lead in love by being “Drum Majors for Justice” and “Drum Majors for Righteousness” for the oppressed, that we will care for the poor, for the marginalized, for the vulnerable; that we will advocate for those who are unable to speak for themselves, for they are our brothers and sisters; that we will call out wickedness and uphold righteousness. Wickedness has never met a better subduer than the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous which we know accomplishes much.

God has allowed these events for His Kingdom purposes and we are here for it. As we are each living this in real time, God is showing us who we are and the world is watching. I pray that future generations will chronicle us as having stepped up to the call. This will require endurance. As said by Arndrea Waters King, wife of Martin Luther King III: “Justice demands endurance. Love demands endurance. We can no longer be neutral.”

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.