The Scoffer And The King
11/23/2025
Turn with me to Proverbs 20:9-11. These are our verses to study and memorize this week.
Proverbs 20:9-11 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”? 10 Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD. 11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.
Introduction
In the big picture, Proverbs 20 examines the scoffer and the king. It looks at many different dangerous traits of the mocking scoffer. These are behaviors a nation needs to deal with in order to thrive. In a monarchy, like existed in Israel, the responsibility for this ultimately lay with the king. Thus his role is emphasized at the beginning and end of this section (Proverbs 20:2 and 21:1).
In our first sub-section, Proverbs 20:2-8 gave a mini preview of the whole chapter with its bracketed emphasis on the king dealing justice against those who provoke him with their evil.
Verses 9-11 will now add to that with a mini-chiasm focused on people’s inability to be pure in their heart and conduct. The center of the chiasm emphasizes God’s hatred of those who cheat others in business with false weights and measures.
Verses 12-19 deal with people’s unjust words and actions towards one another within a community. It begins by the reminder that God is the one who made our ears and eyes. Thus He sees and hears everything that is said and done.
Verses 20-28 continue to deal with unjust words and interactions of people as it moves more specifically to being in relation to the family, the Lord, and finally the king.
Proverbs 20:29-21:1 then provides a conclusion to this section on the scoffer and the king. It also helps transition to dealing more directly with the scoffer and God in the next larger section in chapter 21.
Having seen where we are at in the big picture of our study here in Proverbs, we are now looking at a major destructive issue in society that God hates, as well as the real problem behind it. God hates it when people cheat each other. Unfortunately, this is an all too common issue. All of us probably have a story of some time that we were deceived and cheated. Even worse, we all have wicked hearts that push us to deceive, cheat, connive and manipulate. None of us have kept ourselves pure from sin. Yet, that purity of heart is what is needed so that righteous actions towards each other are what is occurring. For a nation to flourish it needs to have honesty in its interactions between people. Wicked hearts need to be purified. Proverbs 20:9-11 will teach us about these issues, so let’s take a closer look at these verses.
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”?
No one can cleanse their own hearts or purify themselves from their own sin.
With this verse coming in the context of the scoffer and the king (Proverbs 20:2-8), of the work that is needed within society to maintain justice and disperse evil, and of the negative rhetorical question about not being able to find a trustworthy man (Proverbs 20:6), this verse’s question also has an expected negative rhetorical answer. No one can honestly say that they have cleansed their own hearts. No one can say they have “kept” their heart clean (as some translations would render it, cf. NET, NIV). None of us are pure from our sin on our own.
Given the point that no one can say they have cleansed their heart, this places an additional facet of context on the surrounding verses. This helps explain why it is so hard to find a trustworthy man in Proverbs 20:6. The sin within everyone’s hearts pushes us all away from being loyal, trustworthy, faithful-love kind of people. Our proverb also puts a curb on potentially misunderstanding Proverbs 20:7. It is true that a righteous man who walks in his integrity is a blessing to his sons after him, but this highlighting of a righteous man having integrity is not saying that any of us are naturally pure from sin or can justify ourselves to become righteous. Righteousness, cleansing, and purity does not come from within us. Additionally, our proverb teaches us that even though Proverbs 20:8’s ideal of having a king who disperses all evil with his justice is needed, it does not and cannot ultimately deal with the sin within people’s hearts. Thus it is a justice that never has an end to being administered. New evil will always be cropping up that will need to be dealt with.
This proverb foundationally makes clear the sinful depravity of all humanity. None can cleanse their own hearts. None can keep their own hearts pure. None are clean and without sin. Because of that, we are always going to have to be dealing with it within our own hearts, and within society. The scoffing mocker is always going to rise up and need to be dealt with.
The wise or logical question with all that would then be, how can one be righteous? How can one’s heart be cleansed? How can we be pure from our sin? How can we become people who walk in integrity? How can this enduring problem of sin producing evil and injustice be dealt with?
The answer is found in the way this proverb is worded. Notice the emphasis in this proverb on oneself. “Who” can say, “I” have kept pure “my” heart, “I” am pure from “my” sin? Five times the emphasis is put on oneself in this one sentence. Interestingly enough, in Hebrew the “who can say” is two words that are connected together with a maqaf (a dash) that makes them work together as one unit. After that, every one of the other four Hebrew words has a first person singular ending on it. Thus, every one of the words or word units in this whole verse emphasize the “me, myself, and I” focus. The meaning is quite intense. None of us by our own effort or action can make or keep ourselves pure from our sin.
With all of that there is an implication which is not directly stated. Yet, by so strongly and repetitively stating that “I” cannot do it for “myself” the focus turns outward. If I cannot do it, who can? Can someone else? The answer becomes glaringly obvious within the chiasm and the whole context of the book of Proverbs with its focus on finding wisdom through the fear of the Lord. Even wider than that, the rest of the Word of God provides hope with the truth of the law and sacrificial system—which ultimately points to Jesus. While we cannot keep or make ourselves pure, God has a way of redemption. Thus purity from sin can only come from being atoned for by someone outside of ourselves who can take away our sin and make us righteous. God’s redemption, ultimately fulfilled and completed in the promised messiah Jesus, is the only hope for individuals, families, communities, nations, and this whole earth. That is the way our sin needs to be dealt with. Faith in Jesus’ work on the cross taking our sin upon Himself and then giving us His righteousness is the only way of cleansing and transformation from the heart level out.
At the time these proverbs were written, the biblically literate mind would have been drawn to such passages as Numbers 8 where the Levites were cleansed, purified, and made able to serve before the Lord. Notice what this process entailed and how they could not truly cleanse themselves.
Numbers 8:6-12 “Take the Levites from among the sons of Israel and cleanse them. 7 “Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean. 8 “Then let them take a bull with its grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil; and a second bull you shall take for a sin offering. 9 “So you shall present the Levites before the tent of meeting. You shall also assemble the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, 10 and present the Levites before the LORD; and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites. 11 “Aaron then shall present the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, that they may qualify to perform the service of the LORD. 12 “Now the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls; then offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the LORD, to make atonement for the Levites.
Yes, they could outwardly be washed with water and “cleaned” up. But what else had to be done to purify them of their sin? A sacrificial sin offering had to be made on their behalf. Numbers 8:20-21 pictures them completing this process.
Numbers 8:20-21 Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel to the Levites; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the sons of Israel did to them. 21 The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.
The problem, though, even with this is that the sins kept occurring from within their hearts, and the sacrifices were not sufficient to deal with all of their sins once and for all. The blood sacrifices had to be continually made. That is, until the perfect, all sufficient sacrifice of Jesus was willingly made on the cross for all those who would trust in Him as Lord and Savior. This is the only way that we can be made pure from our sins. This is the only solution to the problem that faces every individual and every nation. It is what makes integrity, righteousness, and justice so rare yet still possible—in Jesus.
Scriptural Example: When we look to Scripture for examples of this proverb they are nearly endless because Scripture honestly records the real life experiences of sinful human beings throughout history. The most foundational example, though, is found with Adam and Eve. When God created them they originally lived in an innocent state without a sin-nature. Yet, they both yielded to the temptations of sin and disobeyed God. They ate from the one tree that God had commended them not to eat from. Even with their advantage of not already being enslaved to sin they did not keep their way pure. From that first sin, the rest of the problem of our verse also becomes evident. They could not undo what they had done. They could not atone for and remove their own sin. They could not make themselves righteous again. So what did they do? They hid from God. They were ashamed. They tried to make their own coverings. But it was not sufficient. If there was to be any hope or rescue it needed to come from God.
The rest of us are no better. We have not kept our hearts pure and our lives clean from sin. We cannot justify or make ourselves righteous. We need help outside of ourselves from a perfect, eternal, all-powerful redeemer who can overcome our sin and death.
Do you remember what God did when He came and found Adam and Eve? He pronounced their judgment, but then killed an animal and took the skins to clothe them. He also promised that a redeemer would one day come to deal with the serpent with his usurpation of God’s good creation. Throughout Scripture that promise of redemption was expanded until it was fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Before that, animal sacrifices had to continually be made in faith of God’s future promise. Animal sacrifices could never fully satisfy the ongoing reality of sin. But Jesus did satisfy it for all those who trust in Him. In Him there is full and complete cleansing. Yes, there is still ongoing struggle with sin, but in Jesus there is victory over it as we trust in Him and rely on His overcoming power. There is true, internal, heart transformation and ongoing sanctification until the day that we physically die and receive our glorified, sinless, eternal bodies and go to be with God forever. As Romans 6:23 says—
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare our proverb with the rest of Scripture, we see the consistent pronouncement that we are sinners unable to cleanse ourselves and are in need of God to redeem us. Psalm 14:1-3, which is repeated in Psalm 53, and Romans 3:10-12, emphasizes everyone’s sinfulness.
Psalm 14:1-3 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. 2 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. (cf. also Ps. 53, Romans 3:10-12)
Solomon reiterates this in Ecclesiastes 7:20.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.
In Solomon’s prayer for Israel at the dedication of the temple he acknowledged the all pervasive reality of sin and asked God to hear His people if they returned to Him with all their heart.
2 Chronicles 6:36 “When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near, [and “if they return to You with all their heart…hear from heaven” v. 37-38]
After David’s sin with Bathsheba he poignantly goes to God about his sin in Psalm 51.
Psalms 51:1-2, 5, 7, 9-10 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin….5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me…. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….9 Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
David declares his sinfulness even from conception. We have all inherited our sin nature’s from Adam and Eve. He does not stop there, though, or list that as an excuse for his behavior. No, he also cries out to God for forgiveness through His way of redemption. During the Exodus Passover hyssop was what was used to put the blood on the doorposts to protect their lives. David is asking God to atone for his sin. Then he cries out to God to give him a new heart. He knew he needed God’s work in all aspects of his situation in dealing with his inborn sin nature, in giving him a new heart, and in justly dealing with his sins.
In the New Testament Peter talks about how our souls are purified, and the impact it should have on our lives in 1 Peter 1:17-23.
1 Peter 1:17-23 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
The truth that Scripture portrays is consistent. We are sinners in need of redemption. Yet, we cannot redeem ourselves with money or anything that we do on our own. Only God can do it. The spotless physical lambs brought a limited atonement that pointed forward to Jesus’ eternal, all-sufficient atonement. Those whose faith and hope in God are redeemed by Jesus’ blood in their behalf. That is what purifies our souls. That is what gives us a new heart to be able to fervently love one another from the heart. That is what makes us a new creation that is born again.
Truth in Connection: As we connect this to our lives, our families, and our nation, the bleak reality is that we are all sinners and cannot purify our hearts or keep our way pure from sin. That means that each of us have the sinful seeds of being scoffing mockers within us. That is what makes the problems between people. That is what makes the problems between people and God. That is what corrupts nations. That is what destroys families. That is what produces hatred, envy, murder, strife, lust, abuse, and every manner of evil. That is what makes it a constant battle within society to maintain justice and disperse evil. Yet, there is one solution that we also see dimly within our proverb. While we cannot fix our situation. God has made a way of redemption in Jesus. If you have not already, repent and trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It is the only way that your sin can be dealt with and your heart purified. It is the only way that individuals, families, and nations can live again in the way that God designed us to live with each other. It is the only way that we can truly love one another fervently from the heart. We need God’s love in us overcoming our sin, selfishness, pride, and evil through what He did on the cross. We need God to make our hearts anew so that we can truly do what is best for others in true love. Turn to Him. And then day by day run to Him for the wisdom, grace, and ability to keep walking in His love.
Our next proverb gives a picture of what happens when we do not walk in God’s redeemed way of life towards each other. It also highlights how God views that behavior.
10 Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the LORD.
God hates all dishonest actions which are taken to cheat other people.
With this verse, we are in the emphasized middle of our 3 verse chiasm. Verses 9 and 11 bracket this verse by proverbs that both deal with our incapability to be pure and righteous in our living. Here in the middle we have a very strong statement about a result of that which God finds simply abominable. He hates it when people cheat each other, deceive each other, and take advantage of each other.
This proverb pictures someone who has two different sets of weights or measures. One is deceptively used when selling something, and another is used when buying. This way, you could always get more than you were actually paying for. The 10 pounds of fruit you were selling would not really be weight out as a full ten pounds of fruit, but you would be getting the money that should have been for a full 10 pounds. Likewise, if your bushel basket was a bit bigger than it should have been, you could get more grain for your money than you actually deserved. In these ways faulty weights and measures could be used to cheat and take advantage of people. God hates it when we treat each other unjustly. This is what the sin in our hearts pushes us to do. We try to get ahead at others expense. We get from other people what is not rightly ours all the while pretending to acting justly and righteously. This is stealing and lying all rolled into one while hypocritically pretending to be righteous and pure.
Scriptural Example: When we look for an example of this proverb in Scriptures we see it in the way that Jesus dealt with the money-changers and merchandise sellers in the temple. Twice, once at the beginning of his ministry (John 2:13-25) and then again right before his crucifixion He forcefully cleansed the temple of these wicked cheats (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48). He was incensed that they had turned God’s house of prayer into a robbers den. While Scripture does not tell us exactly how it was done, it was apparent that these people were cheating the worshippers who came needing their money exchanged to pay the temple tax, or who needed unblemished, approved animals for sacrifice. It is not hard to imagine how this cheating could easily have taken place. When people have no other options it is easy to charge them exorbitant rates. To cheat people and take advantage of them right there in the house of God while they were attempting to follow the sacrificial commands of the law is an extreme height of wicked injustice. Just imagine, these people were blatantly cheating, lying, and stealing in the presence of God while pretending to be righteously helping others. Jesus did not tolerate that. God hates it. It is truly abominable to Him when people cheat, steal, and lie while hypocritically pretending to be righteous.
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this with the rest of Scripture we see that this wicked treatment of one another was part of the sinful behavior that led to God’s judgment upon Israel.
Amos 8:1-8 Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, there was a basket of summer fruit. 2 He said, “What do you see, Amos?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel. I will spare them no longer. 3 “The songs of the palace will turn to wailing in that day,” declares the Lord GOD. “Many will be the corpses; in every place they will cast them forth in silence.” 4 Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land, 5 saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, 6 So as to buy the helpless for money And the needy for a pair of sandals, And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?” 7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob, “Indeed, I will never forget any of their deeds. 8 “Because of this will not the land quake And everyone who dwells in it mourn? Indeed, all of it will rise up like the Nile, And it will be tossed about And subside like the Nile of Egypt. (cf. also Amos 8:9-14)
Cheating, stealing, and hypocrisy are abominations in God’s sight. Hosea 12:6-7 points out that God loves to oppress those who cheat others.
Hosea 12:6-7 Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually. 7 A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, He loves to oppress.
Knowing that cheating others causes God to want to oppress us ought to cause us to avoid that behavior, or to repent and turn back to God.
Truth in Connection: As we connect this to our lives it is apparent that God takes injustice and taking advantage of other people very seriously. He hates cheating, stealing, lying, and hypocrisy. It is very bad for our relationships with one another in a nation, and it is very bad for our relationship with God. We must not participate in these kinds of behaviors. Likewise, if we are in authority then this kind of behavior needs to continually be dealt with and eradicated in our families, churches, companies, or nation. It must not be allowed to flourish under our watch.
These kinds of behaviors can occur in almost as many ways as there are people, because people’s minds are always working to see how they can get ahead and get what they want—outright lying, misrepresenting situations, shading the truth, not paying for all your items at the self-checkout, not working your full shift at work, leaving early, arriving late, playing on your phone when you should be working, not doing your best at work, cheating on taxes, returning items to a store that really are not fair to return, insider trading, writing off items so you can take them home, billing people for work not done or not needed, using connections to unfairly win a job bid, or other such deceitful “good-ol’-boy” network behaviors, phone or internet scams, etc. The list could go on endlessly.
These are all behaviors which we must not engage in. They make hypocrites out of us. They ruin relationships and communities. They destroy trust. They exalt wickedness. They undermine what is good and righteous. They are deceitful sins against God and people which are done while pretending to be right. They ruin our integrity, pollute our hears, and sear our consciences. Indeed, they are an abomination to God. If we have trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then these behaviors have no place in our lives. May we instead live with true honesty and integrity towards one another in all our dealings. May we hate what God hates and love righteousness, truth, and honesty. May we walk in the wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit to have pure hearts and righteous lives.
Our next verse highlights that this problem of depravity extends even to youth and their behavior.
11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.
Or, as it would better be translated, “Even in his deeds a lad disguises himself. Is that pure, and is that right in his conduct?”
This verse is a case where not paying close attention to the context and then misinterpreting a key word has caused some translators to miss the major point of this verse. Bruce Waltke, through normal interpretive methods, and the context of this verse make a persuasive case that this should be translated “Even a youth in his evil deeds dissembles. So is his conduct pure, or is it upright?”1.
In our context, verses 9, 10, and 11 form a chiasm. The first and last verses focus on purity. The first verse asks a rhetorical question, and so does the last verse—if rightly interpreted. The first verse emphasizes that no one is pure from sin or can cleanse their own hearts. The last verse emphasizes that this same problem of impure hearts exists even in youths. All of this fits quite appropriately in the larger context of dealing with the scoffing mocker’s wickedness. It deals with the heart problem of sinful impurity that exists in all people, and the results that God hates: lying cheaters who hypocritically take advantage of other people.
All of that could sound nice, but whether or not it is truly there and Solomon’s intent hinges on the actual words of the verse. The main issue is the verb which is translated “distinguishes” in the NASB or makes himself “known” in some other translations. This word, in one of its other verb forms (Hiphil), can indeed have the idea of “to recognize” or “know.” The problem is, in the other forms of this verb it has to do with disguising oneself (Niphal), or making a false presentation (Piel) —making oneself known in a false way. Thankfully, we can have clarity on its meaning here if we look at the actual form of this specific verb (Hithpael) and at the two other places in the Bible where this same verb form is used. In both cases it is clearly used of people who are disguising their true identity by false behavior and appearances. They are causing themselves to be known in a false way.2
The first place it occurs is in Genesis 42:7 where Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt to get grain.
Genesis 42:7 When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”
Joseph did not make himself known to them there in a true light! No, he disguised himself. He prevented them from knowing his real nature and identity. The other case, in 1 Kings 14:5, is also just as clear.
1 Kings 14:5 Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. You shall say thus and thus to her, for it will be when she arrives that she will pretend to be another woman.”
The queen was pretending to be someone else. She had disguised herself. She did not want her true identity—as the wife of the idolatrous king—to be known when she went to a prophet of God for help.
When we come back to our proverb, the point becomes much clearer and fits much better with the context when we translate it in line with the specific meaning of that verb form that is intentionally used here by God. The problem of having sinful, impure hearts is found not just in adults, but even in youth. How do we know? Even lads disguise their behavior. They lead double-lives. They lie. They deceive. They pretend. The rhetorical question is then asked, is that pure? Is that right when they behave that way? The expected rhetorical answer is, “No! Of course not.” The sinful depravity within human hearts is found in all of us, even in youth, and it causes problems from the very beginning.
How young were your children when they first lied to you? How young were you when you first lied? Thus the wickedness of the mocking scoffer affects everyone. It is the scourge of having a sinful heart that impacts all of society. It is what makes people cheat, steal, lie, and manipulate all while pretending to be righteous, holy, and pure. God finds that abominable. None of us can fix it ourselves. We cannot cleanse our way. We desperately need the wisdom which is found in the fear of the Lord. As we emphasize whenever we study the fear of the Lord, we need to have a real belief in God’s holiness, in our own sinfulness, in God’s judgment of sin, and in God’s redeemed way of life. Faith in God’s redeemed way of life—ultimately found in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for sin—is the only thing that can change our hearts. Jesus is the only one who can ultimately rescue our lives, our families, and our nations from the injustice and wickedness found in our hearts. God hates the sinful behaviors that results from them and will judge them.
May we stop trying to fix on our own what we cannot fix. May we stop living double lives. May we run to Jesus for salvation from sin, for regenerated and cleansed hearts, and for the ability in the Holy Spirit to walk in holiness. He is the only One who can overcome sin and death. Trust Him and depend on Him to walk in His righteousness. The encouraging thing here, is that while youths also have sinful, corrupted hearts producing deceit, they too can be saved by Jesus from their sin and have their hearts cleansed and made pure. May none of us go down that path of impurity and hypocrisy to our destruction. Instead, may we begin, by God’s grace and work in us, to build the lives of integrity and righteousness that Proverbs 20:7 talks about which is a blessing to our descendents after us.
Scriptural Example: When we look to Scripture for an example of this proverb Saul of Tarsus comes to mind. Saul grew up with the best teachers in Israel. He grew up outwardly following the law and being blameless. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees. Yet, as he tells us in Romans 7:7-11 the law condemned him in its command not to covet. His heart was deceptive. It was sinful. It produced self-righteousness and self-justification that allowed him to sinfully persecute the church all the while proclaiming to be righteous, holy, and zealous for God. It took Jesus appearing to him and blinding him to make him realize his sinfulness, depravity, and inability to save himself. Only then, in coming to trust in Jesus as His Lord and Savior, was his heart and life transformed. It took God’s redemption to purify and cleanse him. But then, oh, what a life of faithfulness, service, and holiness God produced in him!
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this proverb with the rest of Scripture, we see that this holiness and purity is what God’s design is for all of us who have believed in Him as our Lord and Savior. Whether young or old, this is the new manner of life that we are called to live out. 1 Timothy 4:7b-16 highlights that even at a relatively younger age Timothy was to have this kind of life.
1 Timothy 4:7b-16 On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
Whether you are a youth, or a seasoned adult we all need to stop pretending we can save ourselves or purify our own hearts. We need to have our hope fixed on the living God. We need to trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We need to trust in Him and walk with Him daily to live in this new redeemed way of life that matches the cleansing and purifying that He has done in our hearts. The sin is present there within us all, but so too can be the saving and sanctifying work of Jesus that produces a clean heart and righteous living. Yes, it is a continual battle to stay pure in this life while we await our full redemption with new perfect, glorified bodies, but in Jesus there is power to overcome sin and temptation, to live blamelessly, and to walk in righteous integrity. May we continually see our inability to overcome our own sin and cleanse our own hearts and depend entirely on God’s way of redemption, cleansing, sanctification, and holiness.
Truth in Connection: As we connect this to our lives, we ought to ask ourselves where we are at in this picture. Are we trying to clean ourselves, justify ourselves, or hypocritically pretend that we are holy on our own merits and efforts? Are we secretly and hypocritically (or perhaps blatantly) lying, cheating, and manipulating other people? Are we a young person trying to hide some of our sinful ways from our parents and those who would not approve of our actions?
If you find yourself in any of those situations, learn the wisdom of these verses. We cannot cleanse ourselves. It will not work. We are not righteous. God hates our hypocritical, sinful behavior. Give up trying on your own to make yourself pure. Give up carrying out sinful, hypocritical behavior. Turn, repent, and surrender to Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Trust Him for what He did on the cross to take away your sin, to cleanse you, and to give you His righteousness and life within you. Humble yourself before Him. Walk with Him in the new, pure, redeemed way of life that He designed for you.
Likewise, if you have already trusted in Him, then keep walking in the pure, righteous way of life that He has prepared for you. Do not deceive yourself about what you can do on your own. Do not think that you were saved by His grace but that He now expects you to live righteously on your own. You cannot do it. You cannot keep your heart clean on your own. Keep walking with Him in dependence on him. Share everything in life with Him. Seek His wisdom in everything. Live daily in the light of the fear of the Lord where you know His holiness, your sinfulness, His judgment of sin, and His redeemed way of life. Do not live a double-life. He sees everything and hates that deceptive, self-righteousness. May we live moment by moment in the joy, love, and peace that comes from walking righteously in the truth in fellowship with Jesus.
Conclusion
If you have any questions on any of this or want help in coming to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior please come talk with us. We are available. Let’s pray.
© 2025, Kevin A. Dodge, All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
English (US) · 