What consequences arise from forsaking the law according to Proverbs 28:4? Reading the Verse Proverbs 28:4: “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.” Immediate Insights • The statement is straightforward and literal, drawing a clear line between abandonment of God’s law and allegiance to wickedness. • “Forsake” signals a conscious, willful turning away; “keep” speaks of careful guarding and obedience. Consequences of Forsaking the Law • Praise for evil – Abandoning God’s standard leads to openly celebrating what He condemns (Isaiah 5:20). • Numbed moral discernment – Conscience grows dull, eventually approving sin without blush (1 Timothy 4:2). • Societal corruption – When wickedness is applauded, it spreads unchecked, dragging the culture downward (Psalm 12:8). • Conflict with the righteous – Obedient believers must “resist” or “contend” with law-breakers, creating inevitable tension (2 Timothy 3:12). • Divine accountability – God holds those who endorse evil responsible for both their actions and influence (Romans 1:32). Blessings Tied to Keeping the Law • Protective resistance – Upholding God’s standards restrains evil and shields the vulnerable (Psalm 94:16). • Personal stability and fruitfulness – Walking in God’s ways leads to delight, rootedness, and lasting prosperity (Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:25). Summary Forsaking the law produces applause for wickedness, dulls moral senses, corrodes society, and pits the law-breaker against the faithful. Keeping the law, by contrast, confronts evil and cultivates lasting blessing. |
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