A.      Many of the proverbs are written in the form of contrasts or comparisons.  This is an effective way to demonstrate the superiority of one behavior versus another.

B.      In this lesson, we will consider ten proverbs that present the contrasts of good and evil.

II.      TOP TEN PROVERBS CONTRASTING GOOD AND EVIL

A.      Consider these ten passages from the Proverbs that show the contrasts between good and evil.

                                                             1.      "He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.” (Prov. 11:19)

a.       The greatest contrast between good and evil is given in terms of life and death.

i.         This contrast calls upon us to make a choice between good and evil similar to that which Moses required of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:19 – "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants…”

ii.        When put in these terms, the choice seems very easy, for all of us want to live.  However, Satan complicates our choices with the deception of his old lie, "You surely will not die!” (Gen. 3:4).

b.       Notice that the pursuit of evil is self-destructive.

i.         A wicked man risks his own life and hastens his own death with every evil deed.

ii.        The wicked do not see or believe in the danger of their evil deeds.  They are short-sighted, for they exchange the lusts of the present for life in the future.

                                                             2.      "The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.” (Prov. 11:5)

a.       God promises many blessings for the righteous, and many of those promises are fulfilled by righteousness itself.

i.         The righteous choices of a righteous man keep him away from trouble.  He does not keep company with those who pursue evil and cause trouble.

ii.        Not only this, but also a man’s righteous choices put him in positions that are favorable to him.  By practicing honesty, goodness, kindness, generosity, etc., he is bound to receive the same in return from like-minded righteous persons.

b.       On the other hand, a wicked man creates his own difficulty by his wickedness.

i.         The wicked choices of an evil man often place him at the center of trouble.  He goes to places where trouble happens and keeps company with troublemakers.

ii.        Likewise, a wicked man’s evil behavior puts him at a disadvantage with others.  His dishonesty, cruelty, greed, etc., will win him no friends or favors.

                                                             3.      "The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.” (Prov. 14:19)

a.       Many times, it seems that the wicked excel over the righteous, but God promises justice.

i.         The frequent success of the wicked appears to contradict the wisdom of the Proverbs, but their success is temporal, while their condemnation will be eternal.

ii.        This truth is stated well in Proverbs 11:18 – "The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.”

b.       The ultimate justice of God and the true reward of the righteous will be realized when God judges the world.

i.         Each soul "will be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2Cor. 5:10; see also Rom. 14:12).

ii.        It will be then that the righteous will be exalted to receive their true reward, and the wicked will "bow down before the good” (also consider Jas. 4:10; 1Pet. 2:12; 5:5-6).

                                                             4.      "The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes.” (Prov. 10:28)

a.       A righteous man has the valid hope of God’s promises, and this gives him gladness.

i.         Hope is the confident expectation of good things to come.  A righteous man who trusts in God has hope because God’s word promises him great rewards.

ii.        This hope gives a righteous man gladness in the present even though he has not yet received his reward.  In this way, the righteous may be happy even while suffering (Matt. 5:10-12).

b.       However, any expectation of good things in the future by a wicked man is unfounded.

i.         A wicked man rejoices in his evil pleasures and expects them to continue.

ii.        Such hope is empty, for soon his wickedness will lead to his eternal demise.

                                                             5.      "The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves one who pursues righteousness.” (Prov. 15:9)

a.       A wicked man’s reputation before God is that of an insulter and an offender, and therefore God turns His face away from him (see Ps. 34:16; 1Pet. 3:12).

i.         An abomination is a disgusting thing.  Sin is an intolerable abomination to God.

ii.        When evil men sin, they make themselves intolerable to God.  This is why Psalm 5:5 says, "You hate all who do iniquity.”

b.       On the other hand, a righteous man has a good reputation with God, for the pursuit of righteousness provokes God’s love.

                                                             6.      "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.” (Prov. 11:10)

a.       A righteous man has a good reputation with other men, for he treats them with respect and kindness.  For this reason, men will rejoice at the good fortune of the righteous.

b.       However, a wicked man is despised by his fellow men when he treats them with contempt and cruelty.  Therefore, men rejoice for the demise of the wicked.

                                                             7.      "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” (Prov. 29:2)

a.       When righteous men attain positions of authority, others are happy, for a righteous man will use his position to benefit everyone.

b.       However, people dread for wicked men to attain positions of authority, for the wicked will use their power to oppress and defraud others for their own benefit.

                                                             8.      "A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.” (Prov. 12:3)

a.       Those who build their lives upon wickedness have no firm foundation.  They are as the foolish man who builds his house upon the sand (Matt. 7:26-27).

b.       However, those who build their lives upon righteousness are well established and steadfast, for they are as the man who builds his house upon the rock (Matt. 7:24-25).

                                                             9.      "The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” (Prov. 12:5)

a.       When a righteous man shares his thoughts and gives his advice, his counsel is trustworthy, for he is truthful, just, and wise.

b.       However, a wicked man’s counsel is not to be trusted, for he speaks deceit.

                                                          10.      "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Prov. 14:34)

a.       When the people of a nation possess a general quality of righteousness, the blessings and favor of God are provoked upon the whole nation.

b.       However, when the people of a nation practice sin and wickedness, the nation is a disgrace.  Such shameful conduct will provoke the wrath of God against a nation.

B.      Other proverbs to consider are:

                                                             1.      Regarding life for the righteous and punishment for the wicked – 10:16; 12:28; 13:9

                                                             2.      Regarding blessings for the righteous and difficulty for the wicked – 10:6; 11:8; 12:12, 21; 13:21, 28; 15:6

                                                             3.      Regarding the hope of the righteous versus the hope of the wicked – 11:7, 23

                                                             4.      Regarding reputation with God – 11:20; 12:2

                                                             5.      Regarding reputation with men – 12:8; 29:27

                                                             6.      Regarding the rule of the righteous versus the rule of the wicked – 28:12, 28; 29:16

                                                             7.      Regarding the foundation of the righteous versus the foundation of the wicked – 12:7; 14:11

                                                             8.      Regarding righteous and wicked counsel – 11:9; 12:6

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      These proverbs reveal the wisdom of choosing good over evil.  Good is always the right choice.

B.      The next lesson from the Proverbs will be "The Use of Words.”