Proverbs 14:22
²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. (NIV)

Those who plot evil go astray. But how many of us would say we plot evil? I don’t know many believers who sit down and create a plan for malevolence. Our passage today reminds us however that to find love and faithfulness, we must actively plan to do good. But what happens when we don’t plan?

The Bible says we need guidance to wage war (Proverbs 24:6) and the lack of guidance causes the fall of nations (Proverbs 11:14). Are we not at war with the sinful nature within us? Paul taught us to put on the full armor of God and to fight the good fight, but to win the battle for our soul and Gospel advancement, we need a plan. And we need a plan to do good to keep us from being swept up by the milieu of secularism. In the absence of planning to do good, we will be swept away by the wind and waves of the profane philosophy devised in the boardroom of Hell.

Hell’s plan is to subtly present thin alterations to the Word of God as something beneficial for life. As Eve took the fruit thinking it was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, the devil’s scheme was launched. All sin is presented as beneficial and without a plan to do good, we will be swept away by the winds of evil costumed in goodness.

Without a plan to do good, we will find ourselves caught up in the rush toward the dark places of Hell on earth.

In my book Prepare for Greater Things, I share the principle found in Isaiah 32:8 where it says “the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds, they stand.” Each day we are free to do good things, but unless we make a determined plan and follow it meticulously, we will find ourselves wrapped up in the mindset dictated by Hell’s gimmick.

Prayer: Lord, let me live life on purpose. Give me the discipline to set forth noble plans and to use my freedom to do good so that I might find love and faithfulness, mercy, and truth. Amen.