In what ways can we avoid the "expectations of the wicked" mentioned here? Setting the Verse in Context “The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.” (Proverbs 10:28) What the “Expectations of the Wicked” Look Like • Trusting in self, wealth, or influence (Psalm 49:6–7) • Pursuing sin with the assumption of no lasting consequence (Proverbs 11:7) • Measuring success only by temporary gain (Psalm 73:12–13) • Rejecting God’s authority and Word (Psalm 14:1) Why Those Expectations Perish • They rest on fading foundations: “When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes…” (Proverbs 11:7) • They collide with God’s sure judgment: “For evildoers will be cut off…” (Psalm 37:9) • They ignore eternity: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Ways to Avoid Those Expectations Center Your Hope on the Lord • Seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33) • Fix your eyes on Jesus, “the Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) Walk in the Fear of the Lord • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) • Reverence for God steers choices away from sin’s fleeting allure Delight in God’s Word • Meditate “day and night” (Psalm 1:2) • Obedience guards the heart from worldly hopes (Joshua 1:8) Choose God-honoring Companions • “He who walks with the wise will become wise” (Proverbs 13:20) • Avoid close fellowship with scoffers whose goals oppose God (Psalm 1:1) Pursue Eternal Perspective • “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2) • Remember that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20) Practice Ongoing Repentance • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9) • Keep a tender conscience so worldly ambitions cannot root Invest in Righteous Deeds • “Do not grow weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9) • Good works done in faith endure past this life (1 Timothy 6:18–19) Wait for the Blessed Hope • “We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) • Expectation anchored in Christ will never perish (Romans 5:5) Key Takeaway Ground every hope in the Lord, align goals with His Word, surround yourself with the wise, keep eternity in view, and the perishing expectations of the wicked will lose all appeal. |
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