Proverbs 24:8

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about evil plans:

Proverbs 24:8 (ESV)

Whoever plans to do evil

will be called a schemer.

Do you care what people call you?  Surprisingly, many don't care what their reputation is with others.   In this proverb Solomon is giving us one of the simply facts of life.  If you sit around and make plans to do evil you will get the reputation as a schemer.  We need to realize, that in our lives, we will have such people show themselves.   Especially in our youth.   Young men and women who are bored, lack a moral compass, or simply have not been able to come to control the evil in their hearts will plan evil and scheme evil.   Jacob, before his name was changed to Israel, was a schemer.  His name actually means supplanter, which means to take another's place.  He schemed (once on his own and once with his mom's help) to take away his brother's birthright and blessing, even though God had already provided it through a promise.  Rather than trusting God, he schemed.  That is how he was known.   That is the point of Solomon's proverb.   If you know a schemer, they are always trying to figure out how to get out of work.  They are always trying to figure how to sue someone to get rich.  They are always devising schemes to get something they don't deserve.   The religious leaders of the day schemed with Judas how to betray Jesus.   Ultimately our scheming is all about evil - selfish desires for ourselves to get something God promised (but we don't want to wait); or God denies us (and we think we can have it anyhow).   Our plans to do evil will, in the end, give us a reputation as a schemer.    See further for an example of schemer the story of Ammon and his cousin, Jonadab.