Thoughts from Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21: 2

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

True religion can be identified by two traits:

1. It always has a spiritual motivation. It begins as the writer Proverbs asserts with “the fear of the Lord”. This translates in the New Testament faith in the Savior.

2. True religion will always be ethically fruitful or as in verse three," to do righteousness and justice." Claims to true religion without a faith that produces good works are shams.

Proverbs 21:4

⁴ A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

That arrogance and pride are sin comes as no surprise, but that “the plowing of the wicked” is included seems unusual. But this informs us that the best production of the unconverted, (it is wise for him to plot his field), is sinful. This is the meaning of total depravity. All the unconverted does is sin.