Proverbs 29:1-17 — Forming a Righteous Community!

READ THIS: Proverbs 29:1-17

1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. 5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet. 6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. 7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. 8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. 10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. 11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. 13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. 14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever. 15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. 16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. 17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. 

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

There is a lot happening in these verses, but together, they show how righteousness and wickedness affect a whole community. Something that stands out amid these verses is the directions on how to go about shaping a righteous community! 

Here are some ways to form a righteous community:
  • Be mindful of language
    • A righteous community will listen to someone calling them out (1)
    • A righteous community does not just flatter people and say what people want to hear (5)
  • Seek calmness despite anger/heightened emotions (11)
  • Be discerning about people's sin, or else it will multiply (12)
  • Be willing to discipline community, especially the children within it (15, 17)
Something that is helpful to remember is that a righteous community made up of human beings on this side of eternity will not be righteous every second of every day. Luckily, God works in all people (13), and He has the ultimate victory. Those times where your community falls short, it is crucial to remember that God has already won the fight for righteousness through His son, and that even when it seems like sin is winning and taking down the most righteous of communities, the righteous WILL win in the end because of what Jesus has done. So, don't lose hope in your community when it isn't perfect. There is hope for righteousness. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1.  Would you call your community a righteous community or a wicked community if you HAD to use one of those two words to describe it? Why?

2. Which of the 4 bullet points is something that you feel like your community struggles with?

TRY THIS:
 
Take your answer from question number 2 and work on it TODAY! (A great first step could be telling your community what you want to work on!!)

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 14, 2023 at 11:51 AM

    I feel like most of it is righteous, though I know for sure one does not believe in the work of Jesus.. That person is dear to my heart and it grieves me to see it!

    ReplyDelete

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