“Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king?”
Proverbs 24:11-22 NLT
A simple way to navigate life is to keep our focus on God and off of other people. When we spend too much time thinking about others, we tend to lose sight of who God wants us to be and the types of things he wants for us. However ironic it may be, those who spend Al their time concerned with other people tend to actually be slowly turning their focus to themselves. An idea of concern for social justice can quickly and suddenly transition to a concern for personal equity and bitterness at some unwelcome outcome. We must all be careful about what filter we are using to see those around us. It is not wrong to focus on others, but it must be done with a proper context. When we focus on others, we are to see them through the lens of Christ. We are to see them as he sees them. It is noteable that Solomon warns against welcoming the demise of our enemies. Jesus never did this. Jesus prayed for those who persecuted him. God sent his son to die for their salvation. Our lens for interacting with others should be to see each person as Christ did. Only then can put relationships reflect true wisdom.
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