Our wisdom today is from Proverbs 28:1:
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Consider the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. After eating the forbidden fruit, their first instinct was to hide from God—an impossible feat, yet driven by their overwhelming guilt. This instinct to hide when we’ve done wrong persists in human behavior, illustrating the timeless truth of our proverb.
I personally grappled with this proverb as a child. At ten years old, I desperately wanted a pocket knife, though I mistakenly thought it was illegal to own one. Even so, I saved and bought a knife. One evening, while walking outside, I saw approaching headlights and was sure it was a police car coming for me and my knife. In a rush of fear, I threw the knife into the weeds. It turned out to be just a passing car. Feeling stupid, I went back to search for my beloved knife but never found it. Why did I throw it away? It’s simple: “The wicked flee when no one pursues.” This experience taught me how guilt can provoke irrational actions.
It works that way for all of us.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.