Proverbs gives needed discernment (1:4) what not to be like and who to avoid. The person described in 6:12–15 is “worthless” and “wicked” (12). The Hebrew phrase behind “worthless” is “son of Belial,” or Satan; this kind of person demonstrates Satanic characteristics and conduct (cf. John 8:44; 2 Cor 6:15). Eli’s sons (1 Sam 2:12) and Ahab’s two witnesses against Naboth (1 Kings 21:10) were described this way. This kind of person lives to turn life upside down and corrupt everything. He rejects rules, calling evil good, and good evil. He communicates nothing but trouble to those who are with him and his cause (12b–13). The “heart” (14) is the control center of life, and this person’s control center is characterized by and works out perversity and evil. He’s always arguing, picking a fight, and causing trouble. Though he sounds proud and powerful, his end will be sudden and irreversible (15). The way of wisdom and the fear of the Lord is to stay far away from this kind of person so that you don’t end up like him and with him.
1. The path of wisdom is to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
2. Christian, what did God save you to be like (Rom 8:29)? Do you live that way? Look like that? Love that?
3. Can the people you associate and “hang out” with affect you? Note 1 Cor 15:33.
4. What is this person’s “food”? What was Christ’s “food” (John 4:34)? What is yours? Whose table are you eating at?
5. What will God do to the wicked? What does God command the wicked to do?