“A just balance and [honest] scales are the LORD’S; All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].”

Proverbs 16:11 AMP

Our verse today addresses the issue of honesty in administration of laws. At first glance one might think that it is only talking about those in business. The merchant would keep a bag of stones which were placed on the scales for the purpose of exchanging product for money. For many, there was a practice of keeping two bags of stones. One bag was for the selling of product, and one was for the purchase of product. Of course, you know that neither one was actually the correct weight! One stole from the customer and one stole from the wholesaler! People may have thought that no one was any the wiser, but our verse today reminds us that God sees even the smallest tip of the scales of justice! While all of this is true, the verse is targeting those with governmental authority over the administration of justice. 

God has set the standards by which things should be judged. We addressed this in an earlier devotion when I asked if the lines of God’s ways have fallen in a pleasant place for you?” Whether commerce or legal matters, God requires that we ask with honesty and integrity. The problem is that sin always will drag us away from the right way with a focus on ourselves! “Oh, so and so are doing the same thing so why shouldn’t I?” “If the government is stealing from me then why can’t I teal from them?” Once the argument takes root it isn’t long before we can justify our actions. We must remember that justice requires a steady and impartial hand committed to doing what is right. We read in the book of Psalms,

“But My people would not listen to My voice, And Israel did not [consent to] obey Me. 12“So I gave them up to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in [the path of] their own counsel. 13“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! 14“Then I would quickly subdue and humble their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries.”

Psalms 81:11-13 AMP

Notice that it is the “stubbornness of their heart…” that got them into trouble. The issue is that man apart from the indwelling Spirit of God does not have the capacity to do what is right. The good news is that God has provided a way for us to walk that road if we are willing!

“For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. 8So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].” 

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 AMP

Do you see it? “gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].” The verse reminds us that we are to walk in holiness and not impurity. Both of these words are talking about what is coming from the actions of our lives! We read this encounter with the pharisees,

“After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said, “Listen and understand this: 11It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that defiles and dishonors him, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles and dishonors him.”Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard you say this?” 13He answered, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be torn up by the roots. 14Leave them alone; they are blind guides [b][leading blind followers]. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. 15Peter asked Him, “Explain this parable [about what defiles a person] to us.” 16And He said, “Are you still so dull [and unable to put things together]? 17Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man. 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming). 20These are the things which defile and dishonor the man; but eating with [ceremonially] unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

Matthew 15:10-20 AMP

It is ever so important at this time that the world sees the love of God demonstrated through his people. As the days get darker your light will shine brighter. It should be abundantly clear to those around you that “for you and your house, you will serve the Lord!” Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken