Proverbs 28:4

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about confronting wickedness and creating conflict:

Proverbs 28:4 (ESV)

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law strive against them.

Most people would rather avoid a conflict.  Few people try to start conflicts on purpose.  In fact, if you do, others think less of you.  But in this proverb we see that those who attempt to appease the wicked by ignoring God's truth end up "praising" the wicked.  When we "stand up" to the wicked and keep God's law we will create a conflict with the wicked.   It is tough in the world we live in to avoid real conflict under this definition.   When a leader "forsakes" the law they create an environment that praises the wicked.   Failure to hold to God's principles will create a culture that allows wickedness to flourish.  The only way to change that type of culture is to "keep God's law;" which WILL create conflict.   It should be noted that in Solomon's world and definition, "wickedness" is as minor as failure to keep God's law and to practice Biblical principles as seen in the fear of the Lord.   When leadership "keeps" the law (under this definition) they will "strive" with those who don't.   It is simply part of the life we have when we choose to "keep" God's Word and practice the principles of God's Word.