This Will Happen To The Unprincipled Who Plot Evil For Another

 

"Let men drink as they brew; they shall eat the fruit of their own way; their wages shall be according to their work, and, as was their choice, so shall their doom be...Those that perish must thank themselves, and can lay no blame upon any other. It is their own device; let them make their boast of it. God chooses their delusions." - Matthew Henry Commentary

 

In Proverbs 12:2, a contrast is made between "a good man" who "obtaineth favor of the LORD" and " a man of wicked devices" whom He "condemns."

 

Who is this "man of wicked devices" - this malicious or mischievous man - who deliberately clings to darkness and resultantly, is pronounced guilty by God?

 

Proverbs 1:22-30 implies that he is one who -

 

is easily deceived or persuaded

hates the knowledge of God's Word

scoffs at wisdom 

walks in disobedience and rebellion toward His commands 

spurns or despises His reproof or counsel

does not choose His fear.

 

Hence, he is "filled with his own devices"(Proverbs 1:31) - so fond and filled with his own schemes and deliberations to the point of engorgement. Nonetheless, at the "end of the road" of self-pursuit and self-gratification, he eats the bitter fruit of having his own way and experiences the full terrors of choosing a pathway contrary to God's will for his life.

 

Proverbs 6:16 and 18 lists him as a very detestable thing in God's sight - "an abomination" - the Bible's strongest expression of hatred for sin - "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him...An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations."  

 

This man has a wicked, scheming heart. Any wisdom or knowledge that he has - he uses it to plot evil. He knows exactly how to carry on a vicious assignment most effectively.

 

The Prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 32:5-7, gave us a scathing delineation of such a man in his denunciation of the leaders in his day. He labeled this man as a "vile person" - one who is pampered, fattened, stupid, foolish, brainless, impious, ungodly, wicked, and dishonest. He also called this scoundrel a "churl" - one who is crafty, fraudulent, rude, miserly, and deceitful. At one time, using the politics of the day, this godless man was exalted as someone who is honorable, noble, highly respected, open-hearted, and generous. But through God's exposure and judgment, he was denied a character which didn't belong to him.

 

The truth of the matter is - these leaders - not unlike the ones of our day - were continuously plotting injustice - designing ill-will or some iniquity toward certain individuals, classes of people, or the public in general.

 

Isaiah went on to describe this "man of wicked devices" in this way - "For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD; to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail"(Isaiah 32:6).

 

Look around at the leaders of today and - sad but true - you will find the same description.

 

He is a man whose mind is controlled by evil. This is evident in his own personal life as well as in his relationships with the people.

He "speaks villainy" - folly or total depravity - offering un unjust sentence in order to justify the wicked and condemn the just. .

"His heart will work iniquity" - His mind is preoccupied with evil - evil plots and schemes.

He "practises hypocrisy" - He feigns himself to be a man having the greatest devotion to God and an utmost concern or regard for man and the common good.

He "utters error against the LORD" - He spreads lies about God. He also gives an unjust sentence or patronizes wickedness and uses His name to endorse it. 

He "makes empty the soul of the hungry" - Spiritually-speaking, he takes away any and all means of knowledge from the people so as to leave them to error and ignorance. Physically-speaking, he denies them of any supplies or takes away what they already have.

He "causes the drink of the thirsty to fail" - He cuts off all of the relief which they once enjoyed.

 

When this man is in office - whether it be spiritual or political - he corrupts and destroys the people's confidence. He is a godless fool who is totally consumed with himself and his agenda and utterly unconcerned about the people and their needs.   

 

Isaiah went on to say of him - "The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right"(Isaiah 32:7).

 

This man uses unprincipled, wicked plans or devises to accomplish his purpose - which is to ultimately enrich himself. Through false words or representations, deceitful promises and assurances, unjust judicial decisions, or crafty devices - he deprives the poor man of his rights - even though he pleads a just cause. In other words, he oppresses, destroys, or ruins him in the judicial courts - while favoring the rich and allowing the bribe to govern him rather than the right.

 

What will eventually happen to this man who is "filled with his own devices" and whom God "condemns"?

  

Psalms 7:15 and 9:15 give us the answer -

 

Psalm 7:15 - "He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which He made."

Psalm 9:15 - "The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken."

 

The trap that he intended for the poor and needy - eventually he falls into it himself.

The very plan of secret policy intended to ruin and snare others - suddenly springs upon himself.

The pit that he dug for others becomes his own grave.

The very projects - that were intended to destroy God's people - recoil and bring him to utter ruin.

 

This "vile person," "churl," and scoundrel shall eat the fruit of his own way. As Pastor Henry stated in our opening quote, his wages or doom will be according to his work. He can thank himself and lay no blame on another for it is his own device which backfired on him. God sees to it by choosing his own delusion.

 

"A good man obtaineth favor of the LORD..."

However, it is the "man of wicked devices" whom He condemns.

 

In our world today, we wonder - just how many are enjoying the "favor of the LORD" and how many - who conspire to use and take advantage of others - are headed for or experiencing His severe judgment?