Thus far David has given us two characteristics, holy living and holy speech. David is now going to narrow the focus of his description, which leads to the third characteristic, holy behavior. In verse 3 it says, he does no wrong to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against his friend. This man does no wrong to anyone. It would have been amazing enough if he had said, does no wrong to his family and friends. But he says neighbor, which has everyone in view! I think Paul Tripp captures the wonder of this when he says, “Love my enemies? I don’t think I love the people I say I love. I don’t have time to, I’m too busy loving me.” Who of us can’t identify with that? And yet the man who will dwell in the LORD’s presence can’t.
Not only does this man do no wrong to anyone, more specifically he is extremely loyal to his friends. He doesn’t take up a reproach against them. This has in mind the receiving end of conversations. He refuses to willingly be a part of conversations about his friends that are going to result in their reputation being harmed. Spurgeon said it well: “He is a fool if not a knave who picks up stolen goods and harbors them; in slander as well as robbery, the receiver is as bad as the thief. If there were not gratified hearers of ill reports, there would be an end of the trade of spreading them.” Knowing this and desiring only to please the LORD, the man who will dwell in his presence doesn’t participate in these types of conversations. What about you? Are you quick to turn people away when they come with the latest gossip? Even if it is guised as a prayer request?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment