What actions in Isaiah 59:4 should we avoid to uphold righteousness? Anchoring Ourselves in the Text Isaiah 59:4: “No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.” Actions to Avoid if We Want to Uphold Righteousness • Careless silence about justice – Refusing to “call for justice” lets wrongdoing flourish. – Compare Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; Proverbs 21:3. • Dishonesty in our advocacy – “Pleading a case without integrity” twists truth for personal gain. – See Exodus 23:1; Proverbs 14:5; 1 Peter 3:16. • Reliance on empty arguments – “Empty pleas” are persuasive-sounding words with no factual or moral weight. – Contrast with 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 3:9; James 3:17. • Speaking lies – God’s people must be known for truth, not deceit. – Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; Proverbs 12:22. • Harboring and hatching evil schemes – “To conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity” pictures deliberate plotting of sin. – Psalm 7:14; Proverbs 6:16-18; James 1:14-15. Living It Out • Seek justice proactively—defend the oppressed, support fair treatment. • Speak the truth even when inconvenient. • Test your words: are they substantive or just empty rhetoric? • Cultivate transparency; let nothing in the dark rule your heart. • Replace scheming with prayerful, righteous planning (Psalm 37:3-5). God’s standard in Isaiah 59:4 is clear: abandon these five corrupt practices, and we position ourselves to walk in the righteousness He desires. |
    |