Proverbs 28:5 Do you understand the verdict?

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.


As I studied this verse, I had an "aha!" moment when I was looking at the roots of the words, in the Hebrew language. Sometimes that can give us a better understanding of what ole Solomon was telling us.

On the surface, I think we all would agree that "evildoers" (people who are still in a sinful life without a relationship with Christ) would have a difficult time understanding what is right and wrong in some situations. Some things are pretty obvious -- we shouldn't haul off and murder someone simply because they made us angry or we decide that we don't care for the way they do things. Kinda reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts in Alice, right? "Off with their heads!"  Some of the more subtle issues of life, though, may give an evildoer some difficulty, in deciding what to do. We can be assured that we have the Holy Spirit to help us know what to do, and how to handle various situations that crop up in our lives. That's a comfort, isn't it?

Now, on the other hand, if we look at these words in bold type,

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

 . . . then we can get a whole new take on this verse. In the Hebrew, the root there means "verdict" or "judgment."   Ah! That's different! Let's explore this, OK?

We know that our God is a righteous and holy Creator. 

 "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King."  Isaiah 43:15

While He is full of grace and mercy, there are still times when He must enact judgment on His creations. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.  Ecclesiastes 12:14

And we know that as followers of Christ, we will be held accountable for our words, our thoughts, and our deeds:

Romans 14:12-14 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CseTpqUw

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God . . . Romans 14:12

In I Peter we read that judgment will begin at our doorstep and encompass the "evildoers" as well:

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  I Peter 4:17

But the sinners of this world may not have a clue. They need to hear the gospel, and then they need to obey it. Then they can avoid the ultimate judgment for evildoers:

                       The wages of sin is death . . .   Romans 6:23a

How can they hear? That is where you and I come in!  They simply have got to hear the second half of that verse:
           ....but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Romans 6:23b

It's up to us to tell them. They can't escape the verdict --- they can't really understand it --- unless we tell them. We are those who "seek the Lord and understand it fully." It's a hefty responsibility, but He has promised He will help us. We can say, as Paul did:

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.  Acts 26:22

There is nothing more compelling, more convincing, than a personal, eye-witness account. And we can give that to them. Let's be determined to live a life that is a testimony to God, and to speak a word for Him when we can. Who knows how many will avoid that verdict, because of us?

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CscgjYlL

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CscgjYlL

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-judgment-20-scriptures-to-study/#ixzz2CscgjYlL