Proverbs 16:27-30 - Homilies By E. Johnson

Penal judgments on guilt

I. GODLESS STRIVINGS . Life is full of success and failure. There are successes which cost the soul, and failures in which is contained the reaping of life eternal. The activity of the worthless man ( Proverbs 16:27 ).

1 . It is mischievous in spirit and in end. He is depicted as one who digs a grave for others ( Proverbs 26:27 ; Jeremiah 18:20 , sqq. ) . And his words are like fire that scorches, blasting reputation, withering the buds of opening good in the sentiment of the young, scoffing down the right and true.

2 . It is contentious ; breeding quarrels, creative of strife, introducing breaches between friends, disuniting households. "Envy and every evil work" is wherever he goes.

3 . It is the activity of the tempter, the seducer. Not content with error himself, he would have partners in sorrow and in guilt. It is thus truly diabolical.

4 . It is metilated and determined ( Proverbs 16:30 ). Very striking is the picture of this verse—the eyes bah closed, the bit lips, the firm line about the mouth of one resolved on dark designs and their determined execution. What a power is thought for good or evil! Oh for its right direction by the loving and creative Spirit of all wisdom and goodness, that it may be ever inventive of kind and healing deeds, that may "seal up the avenues of ill," rather than open them more widely to the processions of darkness and hate!—J.