An ancient passage of Scripture is reading more like today’s headlines than ever before, according to Pastor Jack Hibbs.
Teaching through Proverbs 2:14-19, the California pastor said the chapter offers far more than timeless wisdom. He argued it provides a clear warning about a culture that no longer hides sin but openly celebrates it, while pointing us back to God’s wisdom as our protection.
“The wisdom of God will in fact save your life,” Hibbs told his congregation. “It is incumbent upon every single one of us to pay absolute attention to God’s Word, the Bible.”
‘The Sin Was Hidden. Now It’s Celebrated’
Hibbs pointed to Proverbs’ description of people who “rejoice in doing evil” and “delight in the perversity of the wicked,” arguing the passage accurately describes modern society.
“The sin was hidden. Now it’s celebrated,” he said. “The Bible, a 3,000-year-old passage of Scripture, is saying, ‘Watch out because there will be those who depart from the ways of truth and of God, and they will celebrate their sin.'”
He warned that Christians should recognize the growing divide between God’s standard and the direction of the culture.
“When we dedicate things like an entire month to the celebration of perversity, we are far from God’s way,” Hibbs said. “Every nation that practices such things, God says He will judge.”
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Wisdom Protects Against Temptation
Throughout the message, Hibbs emphasized that every believer faces temptation, but victory comes through God’s Word rather than human determination.
“The only way that you and I are going to be victorious over temptation is by standing up in the power of God’s Word against it,” he said. “Temptation hits every believer. It hits every unbeliever. It’s one of Satan’s tactics.”
He also reminded the congregation that God never leaves us defenseless.
“God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape.”
A Call to Stand Firm
Hibbs urged fellow believers not to surrender to the culture, but that we are to remain spiritually alert, describing the Christian life as a continual battle between light and darkness.
“We’re in a great war,” he said. “We’re in a great battle.”
While acknowledging the darkness he sees around him, Hibbs concluded with the hope of the Gospel, saying true freedom is found only in Christ.
“The only hope for America is for you and I and the church to turn back to God,” he said. “Jesus set us free from it. He did that by going to the cross. He died for our sins and then rose again from the dead… the way of wisdom is the way of life.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
