Day Twenty-One

Proverbs 21:15 (Dissected and Defined):
It is joy to the just (righteous) to do judgment (act right): but destruction (ruin) shall be to the workers of iniquity (self-righteousness).

Daily Devo Paraphrase: Judgment is often misunderstood, or not understood at all!  By defining it as acting right, it does not mean that it is simply proper behavioral manners.  We exercise judgment when we are faced with a point of decision that demands that we determine a course of action based on facts of truth.  A decision is made, and judgment is carried forth.  A leader exercises this daily; but we, as Spirit-led Christians, make the same choices every day in our own lives.

Just is a synonym for righteousness—living right in God’s Power. Thus, the word righteous describes someone under the Holy Spirit’s leading.  According to this verse, when the Spirit-led peopleexercise judgment, it produces joy.  Once again, we see another fruit of the Spirit that is produced by our yielding to the Hidden Life that lives within us.

This verse simply teaches us that we will experience great joy if we make right decisions under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.  Joy is defined at RU as a cheerful, calm delight through the every circumstance in life.

But, there is another side of the story.  There is one who works in the power of iniquity. Iniquity is self-righteousness.  Solomon is telling us that when we try to exercise judgment in our own power, that it will bring us destruction.  Proverbs 14:12 reinforces this advice, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  When we yield to our soul (our mind, our will, and our emotions), it always will bring about destruction.

It is sad, but it is true that people will spend their entire Christian life making good decisions in their own power.  They are more often right in their judgment.  But, it is not intended to be their judgment.  It is judgment that belongs to the indwelling Holy Spirit.

When we exercise His judgment for Him, but without Him, then we are becoming an authority unto ourselves.  This will produce misery rather than joy.  So, I guess determining right is not our rite!