Throughout the book of Proverbs you will find many “pairs” that are contrasted. For example, there are lots of verses that contrast the wise man with the fool. Other examples include:
- rich vs. poor
- hardworking vs. lazy
- humble vs. proud
- generous vs. greedy
- patient vs. hot-tempered
One pair that comes up again and again is godly vs. wicked. The many verses that compare and contrast this pair do two things. First, they define the terms “godly” and “wicked”. Second, they explain why choosing to be godly is the better option.
Defining the terms.
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
~Proverbs 10:11
The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
~Proverbs 10:32
The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
~Proverbs 12:6
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
~Proverbs 15:28
If you want to know if someone is godly or wicked, listen to their words. What comes out of a person’s mouth is a reflection of what’s in their heart (Mathew 15:18-19). Proverbs 15:28 tells us that, “…the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
Are you careful with what comes out of your mouth? Are your words godly or wicked?
The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.
~Proverbs 12:10
Never be cruel to creatures you deem beneath you. Compassion for animals is a sign of godliness, cruelty to animals is wicked.
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.
~Proverbs 28:1
The godly have courage, the wicked are cowards.
Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
~Proverbs 28:5
The godly love justice, the wicked pervert it.
In these verses (and many more throughout the book of Proverbs) the difference between the godly and the wicked is made clear. Godliness or wickedness manifests in what we say and do.
Why be godly rather than wicked?
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.~Proverbs 4:18-19
The wicked are spiritually blind, marching toward their own destruction, while the godly can see the correct path to take.
The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
~Proverbs 10:3
This verse is about more than food. The godly find satisfaction in life, while the wicked are never satisfied.
We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.
~Proverbs 10:7
The godly leave a legacy, while the memory of the wicked grows rotten and foul.
The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.
~Proverbs 10:24
We don’t always see this. Sometimes the godly suffer while the wicked prosper. But in the end, God will judge the wicked and redeem those who came to Him for forgiveness and redemption. In the end, God will fulfill this promise.
When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
~Proverbs 10:25
Life is hard, but the godly have a secure foundation on which they can depend.
Take some time now to read through Proverbs 10. Pay attention to all the contrasting pairs you see. When you finish, pray and ask God to help you be godly in word and deed.
