Proverbs 12:2

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 on plotting evil actions:

Proverbs 12:2 (ESV)

A good man obtains favor from the LORD,

but a man of evil devices he condemns.

The above proverb gives us a very simple guideline for life: Live a life that is pleasing to God and you will get favor from God, or live a life that seeks to be sneaky and mischievous and get condemnation from God. It is pretty simple. To use evil devices is to plot and to seek a way that is outside of God’s ways and methods. People who use evil devices  don’t live a life by faith. Rather than to trust God they contrive and finagle a way to get what they want without God’s blessing and God’s methods. To have a life that has God’s “favor” is to have a life that has God’s pleasure, or God’s acceptance. It is a life that is the mark of a “good” man … someone who lives their life according to God’s word and His plan. Give Him your plans, allow Him to direct your paths and He will show His favor.  Our success doesn't happen because of our degrees, skill-set or station in life.   God gives us success based upon His divine favor as we obey His wisdom through His Word.   When men devise evil in their hearts, they may appear to have success, for a time.   But, God knows it and condemns it.   They might have success for awhile and in the sight of man.  But, in the sight of God they are weighed in the balance.   As once stated, "The arch of the moral universe is long but it bends toward Justice."  God bends it toward and in favor of those who keep His Word.