Yahweh Is Far From The Wicked
Proverbs 15:29 Lexham English Bible
29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but the prayers of the righteous he will hear.
Does our personal conduct impact our relationship with God? Does the way we live daily impact our relationship with God? Some today based on their theology and conduct would say it doesn’t matter how you live, we simply live under the grace of God and Jesus loves me so I am good to go. But is this biblical? I believe our conduct and the way we live not only impacts our relationship with God but also impacts our prayer life.
The word wicked is the Hebrew word rāšā and it means guilty; wicked person, wicked — morally bad in principle or practice[1]. Those who are wicked are living in rebellion against Almighty God. Are there so-called Christians who live in rebellion against Almighty God? The answer is yes. We have churches today that fly rainbow flags in support of a lifestyle that is called an abomination in scripture. We have churches today that fail to speak against the wickedness of our day with things like abortion. We have churches and church leaders today who are more concerned with the love and opinion of man than they are with what God would say.
All of these are living in rebellion. No matter how many times they pray or even pray in the name of Jesus, if they live in rebellion, it will impact their relationship with God and will impact their prayer life. It is impossible to abide in Christ daily and His word and live in rebellion at the same time. The Spirit of God will not allow it. Abiding in Christ is a safeguard against the schemes and purposes of the enemy. The enemy desires to separate us from intimate fellowship with the Lord. The farther we get away from the Lord, the more we will live in rebellion.
But there is a promise here from the Lord. He says, “but the prayers of the righteous he will hear”. The word righteous is the Hebrew word ṣdyq and it means just; innocent, in the right; upright, devout, righteous — characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice[2]. In Christ we are justified. His righteousness is applied to us. Our conduct cannot impact the righteousness of Christ, for it was accomplished by Jesus alone and it is received by faith alone in Christ. It is not based on works.
But we are called to live and walk by the Spirit. The Spirit of God lives within us, changing and transforming us from the inside out. It is a process called sanctification. Simply the process of sanctification is being transformed and conformed to the image and character of Christ. It is the fruit of the Spirit present in the life of a believer. The more intimately we walk with Jesus, the more we become like Him. Just as Adam walked with Yahweh before the fall, we are called to walk with Him after the cross. Because in Christ our sins are washed away and there is no longer any dividing wall between us and God.
As we abide in Christ it will impact our lives and conduct. We will live out the righteousness that is found in Christ and it will become a reality. It is an outward manifestation of an inward reality. It will impact our prayer life because as we are changed from the inside out, we will begin to take on the mind and heart of Christ. Our desires will align with the will of God. God is clear in His word that if we pray according to His word, He indeed hears us and if we know He hears us, we will receive what we have asked.
If we desire a dynamic and kingdom advancing prayer life it begins with abiding in Christ. It doesn’t require a seminary degree, but it does require a heart that is fully yielded in every respect to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to personally be a house of prayer. May we abandon the desires of this age. May we turn our backs on pursuing the world. May we pursue Christ alone and use every day we have to advance His kingdom through faithful, unceasing prayer.
Prayer
Father search my heart and life. If there is any wicked way within me, please prune it and remove it. May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you. May the conduct of my life and the work of my hands be used to glorify you alone. Father empty me of all that I am. Fill me with all that you are. I pray that you would be glorified with every breath and I would live each day for you and you alone. Forgive me where I have fallen short and help me to live for you each day by your grace and your strength. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
[1] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020). [2] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
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