Proverbs 11:9, Above All, Beware of this Dangerous Man!

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May 9, Proverbs 11:9

2 Cor. 11:1-15; 2 Peter 2:1-3 “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect” (Mt. 24:24).

Above All, Beware of this Dangerous Man!

c2. Skillful Soldiers: Through knowledge shall the just be delivered. The word just is plural, meaning righteous, justified, victorious men and women. Their speech is wise, because based on true knowledge, for only thus can they withstand the attack of the enemy (Pr. 4:13). Such knowledge is the opposite of hypocrisy. It is divine knowledge, the best and surest means of defense. Our Lord defines this knowledge in His prayer: This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (Jn. 17:3). This is something more than mere conjecture in the head; it is Christ in the heart, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). “Mere knowledge can no more connect a man with God than the sight of the sun can carry him to heaven” (Calvin). Sadly, for so many, knowledge of God is only a confused blur, a vague idea of something up there! Peter’s remedy against false teachers was also a call for knowledge, the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pt. 1:5, 8, 12), for only thus will there be deliverance from the pernicious ways of these Sinful Swindlers. This, however, demands earnest effort. Peter urged his readers to give all diligence (speed! 1:5, 10) to deal with these natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed (2:12). Peter apparently hasn’t heard that such strong talk is too harsh by today’s evangelical-ecumenical standards. They openly espouse the position that truth and error can co-exist! “By the knowledge of God, and the scriptures, and their own hearts, shall the just be delivered from those that lie in wait to deceive, and so to destroy” (Henry). Wanted! Skilful Soldiers to defend the faith once delivered unto the saints.

Thought: “The apostate drops as a windfall into the Devil’s mouth” (Th. Watson).

Prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for my wonderful tongue. I consecrate it afresh to Thee.”