Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:19, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
American Standard Version
He that is stedfast in righteousness [shall attain] unto life; And he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.
World English Bible version
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
Proverbs 11:19 Meaning & Commentary
Now that we are under the new covenant, we see righteousness differently. Righteousness is not about us doing good works but rather about faith in Jesus Christ and walking with God. Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. The Bible says that our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. Trying to earn God’s acceptance through righteous deeds is a futile attempt. It is by Grace that we have been saved, through faith: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
The Bible makes it clear that apart from Christ, there is nothing good in us, and apart from Him, there is no life or righteousness: Romans 3:9-12 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Righteousness comes by faith, and therefore to be steadfast in righteousness is really to be steadfast in faith: 1 Peter 5:9-11 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Conversely, pursuing evil bears no lasting fruit, neither here on earth nor for eternity. Everyone will die, but Proverbs 11:19 specifically mentions that the one pursuing evil will die. This refers to more than just natural death, which we will all go through; it could be referring to spiritual death, emotional death, and every other negative outcome because of life without God!
Application
We need to be growing in faith continually. The Bible teaches us that there are several practical ways to do this. A few of those ways are hearing or reading The Word of God, praying in the spirit, and fellowship with other believers. When applied consistently, these spiritual disciplines help us draw closer to God and grow in faith. The first spiritual discipline we need to practice is spending time in God’s Word: Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. As we spend time reading The Bible or listening to teaching and preaching, we will grow in our knowledge of God and faith.
The next spiritual discipline we must continually practice is praying in the spirit: Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit… As we do this, not only do we fellowship with God, but our faith is stirred up inside us. Another spiritual discipline we see in scripture is fellowship with other believers and attending Church: Hebrews 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. As we fellowship with other believers and make Church gatherings a priority in our lives, we will be encouraged and stirred up by each other’s faith: Romans 1:12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
As we practice these spiritual disciplines regularly, we will find ourselves walking steadfastly in righteousness, and our desire to pursue any form of evil will fade away and fall by the wayside! Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for Your Word today. I desire to follow you wholeheartedly and be steadfast in righteousness. I pray for hunger to be stirred up in me to pursue spiritual disciplines like never before. I ask that you cause me to be established in my faith so I can walk in a way that pleases you in all things. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
