The Children of Belial – Identification

We have previously noted the usage of a phrase in the Bible, the children of belial, or in a literal translation, children of worthlessness. We’ve considered the enormity of such a description, if true, when applied to an individual – but is there any way to be able to spot a ‘worthless’ person?

You could go through all the examples of such people in the Scripture, from people bringing in idolatry to priests serving in the tabernacle, there is a wide range with a lot of commentary that can be made on such examples, however, there is also a place in Scripture that neatly outlines a description of worthless character. Let’s check it out:

Proverbs 6:12  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 

The word for ‘naughty’ in this passage is the exact same word translated as belial. So one could read, “A person of belial, a wicked man, walks with a froward mouth.”

Starting in verse 12 and finishing in verse 14, a description is given of such a man:

1. Walks with a froward (crooked) mouth
2. Winks with his eyes
3. Speaks with his feet
4. Teaches with his fingers
5. A perverted heart
6. Devising mischief continually
7. Sows strife and discord

There are 7 key descriptions given. I’m not so certain as to the significance of numbers 2,3,&4. One thing that did strike me as odd is that all those things are to do with communication, perhaps a reference back to the fact that if the mouth is crooked (can’t be trusted) then how such a person really speaks is seen in their actions – their eyes, feet, and fingers. Perhaps. I’m merely passing through because there is a more precise list that follows right on the heels and I believe is still in reference to such individuals.

Proverbs 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 

It’s fascinating that almost immediately following the description of a worthless character in which there are seven descriptors given, it’s then outlined that there are seven things that God HATES. Oh, and the only separating verse is one that tells us the end of people with worthless character – destruction with no hope of salvation. It sounds a bit like such a character is all out of favor, dare we say, someone who is doing everything God hates, thus, having no value left in them?

Let’s look at the seven things God hates next to the previous description of a character of Belial:

2. Winks with his eyes
5. A perverted heart

Proverbs 6:17-19	Proverbs 6:12-14
1. Proud look	A perverted heart
2. Lying tongue	Walks with a froward mouth
3. Hands shedding innocent blood	Teaches with his fingers
4. A heart devising wicked thoughts	Devising mischief continually
5. Feet swift in running to mischief	Speaks with his feet
6. A false witness speaking lies	Winks with his eyes
7. Sowing discord among brethren	Sows strife and discord

You will notice that the list from Proverbs 6:12-14 has been rearranged ever so slightly. It’s freakishly similar, and where its not, it can be easily understood to be saying the same thing. The fact it is outlined in ‘7’ is indicative of it being a complete list, for seven is the number of absolute perfection, the state of being finished.

Consider now the end of one who has such character:

Proverbs 6:15  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

There is a twofold warning here:

Don’t become such a person (Do the opposite of a child of Belial) and beware your association with such people, for their end is coming.

Notes:

1. It’s fascinating to me that the Lord in essence mentions lying twice, once in ‘lying’ and again with the false witness who, wouldn’t you know it, lies. It seems that God really hates lying.
2. Is it possible to reach someone who manifests all seven things that God hates? I don’t believe that to be so. That is why when such a person is broken, there is no remedy. They have no value left in them. To become a child of belial, you have in essence ticked every box on God’s hate list. It’s not simply a mistake, but a lifestyle of rebellion. You aren’t simply a stranger at odds with God, but now an active enemy at war with Him.