Wisdom’s Journey: Proverbs 29:24

Terri GillespieWisdom’s Journey Through Proverbs

Are you an accomplice to “emotional” crimes?

TODAY’S PROVERB: An accomplice of a thief is his own enemy. He hears the oath but says nothing. Proverbs 29:24, TLV

Who is an accomplice? It’s a person who is associated with someone, particularly one involved in wrongdoing. So, in other words, we don’t have to commit the crime to be an accomplice, we just have to know about it. And, the most important aspect, the accomplice says nothing about it.

In most states, mere failure to report a crime isn’t a crime in itself. However, there are some exceptions*:

  • in some states, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for failing to report an offense that resulted in serious bodily injury or death.
  • some states it’s illegal to knowingly fail to report a felony.
  • A person can generally be charged with accessory after the fact, if he or she wasn’t actually present during the commission of a crime, but took actions to conceal the crime. Or help the perpetrators avoid capture.
  • Many states have mandatory reporting laws requiring certain types of people to report crimes against children. These “mandatory reporters” generally include parents, teachers, school administrators, clergy, medical professionals, therapists, social workers, and others. In some states, however, anyone who believes child abuse is taking place must report it.

What If:

I was thinking, what if the spirit of this proverb applies to other things like gossip or lying or bullying. What is our responsibility when we hear others’ commitment to speak or do ill toward another? Do we keep silent? Mind our own business?

What if, in our Heavenly Father’s eyes, closing our eyes, ears, and mouth to these emotional “crimes” makes us an accessory to the deed? Especially when it might be possible to stop the act before the harm is done?

“For I am afraid that perhaps when I come . . . there may be strife, envy, outbursts of anger, self-seeking disputes, lashon ha-ra [derogatory speech against another], gossip, arrogance, unruly commotions.” 

PAUL, 2 CORINTHIANS 12:20, TLV

There are times when we should be silent, but when it comes to others’ well-being, we need to speak up. We may be called tattletales. We may be called a squealer. We may be called much worse.

But, my friends, we need to do the right thing.

May we never be an accomplice to wrongdoing, my friends.

Proverbs 29:24 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs

*Taken from: FINDLAW https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/failure-to-report-a-crime.html

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