The Lawyer's Guide From the Lord
THE LAWYER’S GUIDE FROM THE LORD
by Danny C. Wash
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
The following verses from the Bible are instructive to lawyers that are followers of Christ or any lawyer that accepts the Bible as a book inspired by the God referenced in the Jewish/Christian Old Testament and the Christian New Testament. They are not arranged in any special sequence but are meant to be helpful in the daily practice and life of lawyers who are looking for guidance in their decisions.1 May God bless His Holy Word in your life.2
1.“For the Lord gives wisdom;3 from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His Godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man4 who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 2:6-15
2. “How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times.” Psalms 106:3
3. “The execution of justice is a joy to the righteous, but terror to the workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 21:15
4. “Learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
5. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16: 9-10
6. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16: 1-2
7. “Prepare plans by consultation and make war5 by wise guidance.” Proverbs 20:18... “A wise man is strong. And a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance6 you will wage war and in the abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 24: 5-6... “Do you see a man skilled in his work. He will stand before kings, he will not stand before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29
8. “There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle but victory belongs to the Lord.”7 Proverbs 21:30-31. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Psalms 24:8. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” Psalms 144:1
9. “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on and are punished for it.” Proverbs 22:3-4
10. “Do not go hastily to argue your case; otherwise, what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neghbor and do not reveal the secret of another, lest he who hears it reproach you and the evil report about you not pass away.” Proverbs 24: 8-10
11. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances.” Proverbs 25:11
12. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”Proverbs 26:4-5
13. “He who digs a pit [a trap] will fall into it and he who rolls a stone it will come back on him.”8 Proverbs 26:27
14. “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”9 Proverbs 27:17
15. “Many seek the ruler’s [judge’s] favor, but justice comes from the Lord.” Proverbs 29:26
16. “Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord and a false scale is not good.” Proverbs 20:23
17. “Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. Proverbs 21:2
18. “He who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13
19. “A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.”10 Proverbs 20:22
20. “He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23... “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Proverbs 13:3... “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1... “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word.” Proverbs 15:23
21. “A false witness will perish but the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.” Proverbs 21:28... “The naive believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps.” Proverbs 14:15
22. “A good name is to be more desired than great riches...” Proverbs 22:1
23. “Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate [the court]; for the Lord will plead their case, and take the life of those who rob them.” Proverbs 22:22-23
24. “Do not move the ancient boundary11 which your fathers have set.” Proverbs 22:28...”Do not move the ancient boundary, or go into the fields of the fatherless; for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you. Apply your heart to discipline, and your ears to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:10-12
25. “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it, when you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Proverbs 23: 4-5
26. “To show partiality in judgment is not good. He who says to the wicked, ‘you are righteous,’ peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him, but to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” Proverbs 24: 23-25
27. “By forbearance12 a ruler [judge] may be persuaded and a soft tongue breaks the bone.”13 Proverbs 25:15
28. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head,14 and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22
29. “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than him.” Proverbs 26:12. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Proverbs 16:18
30. “Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.” Proverbs 26:17
31. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs: 27:2
32. “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
33. “Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3: 25-26
34. “When there are many words,15 transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19... “He who gives attention to the word shall find good and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart will be called discerning and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:20-24
35. “He who speaks truth tells what is right. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy...lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight...Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:17-20, 22, 25-26
36. “He who restrains his words has knowledge and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.” Proverbs 17:27-28
37. “To show partiality to the wicked is not good, nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.” Proverbs 18:5
38. “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is a folly and shame on him. Proverbs 18:13
39.“The first to plead his case seems just, until another comes and [cross]-examines him.” Proverbs 18:17
40. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,16 and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
41. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tell lies will not escape.” Proverbs 19:5
42. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy...Blessed are the peacemakers,17 for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:7,9
43. “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, in order that your opponent may not deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you shall not come out of there, until you have paid up the last cent.”18 Matthew 5:25-26
44. “...for the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” Matthew 12: 34-37
45. “For we all stumble in many ways, if any one does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well...the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” James 3:2-8
46. “To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust. Do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me...make me know thy way O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me...Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and testimonies...who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose...My eyes are continually toward the Lord. For he will pluck my feet out of the net...guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed for I take refuge in You.” Psalms 25
47. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?...Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident...for in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent, He will hide me...teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries...wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalms 27
48. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;19 keep watch over the door of my lips...my prayer is against their wicked deeds. Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock and they hear my words, for they are pleasant. As when one plows and breaks open the earth...for my eyes are toward Thee, O God, the Lord; in Thee I take refuge do not leave me defenseless. Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, and from the snares of those who do iniquity. Let the wicked fall in their own nets, while I pass by safely.” Psalms 141
49. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding [but on His]. In all your ways acknowledge [and trust] Him, and He will make your paths straight [guide you].”20 Proverbs 3:5-6
50. “Search me,21 O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalms 139:23-24
51. “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.”22 Matthew 7:7-8
52. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.23 IICorinthians 10:3-5
53. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
54. “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
55. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting.” James 1:5-6
56. “The effective prayer of a righteous man24 can accomplish much.” James 5:16
57. “This is the confidence which we have before Him [God], that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked Him. I John 5:14-15
58. “In righteousness you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; and from terror, for it will not come near you. If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. Whoever assails you will fall because of you. Behold, I Myself [God] have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and bring out a weapon for its work and I have created the destroyer to ruin. No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:14-17
59. “Thus says the Lord, ‘preserve justice, and do righteousness, for my salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed, how blessed is the man who does this...’” Isaiah 56:1-2
60. “Do you not know? Have you not heard?...He [God] it is who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.” Isaiah 40:23
61. “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing, and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, those who war with you will be as nothing, and non-existent. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:9-13
62. “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by Him, for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” I Peter 2:13-17
63. “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due, custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ‘you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:1-10
63. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” I Peter 2:21-24
64. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” IICorinthians 5:7
65. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.25 Colossians 3:23-24
66. "...what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace." Luke 14: 31-32
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END NOTES
1. In applying these verses to our lives, we must remember our duty to a client may not always align with what we may decide that the Lord would have us do personally in our own life in a situation, as opposed to what we are required to do for our client. However, if our client demands that we violate God’s word or principles that would be unlawful or wrongly damage another or our conscience, then we must decide before God whether we must refuse and withdraw from representation allowing the client to seek other representation. Also, some of the verses that we believe might require us, in this or a similar situation, to forgive someone or take some other action does not give us the right to make that decision for a client in their case. This would only be for them to decide and we would have to decide whether we can continue in our duty to zealously represent the client or withdraw. It could be that there are other reasons in play that must occur before a client can consider an issue, such as forgiveness, and it is not for us to judge or substitute our belief. We must let God work in these situations.
2. These verses from the Old and New Testament-New American Standard Version were selected and arranged by Danny Wash, a practicing lawyer, who faces the same challenges and questions in his practice and life every day. Feel free to add additional verses that are meaningful to you in your life and practice.
3. Wisdom can be defined as the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Also, remember that the ultimate wisdom is Jesus Christ. See I Corinthians 1:30- “But by His [God] doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God...”
4. The New American Standard version uses the general term “man” or “he” throughout but this includes both male and female in the word “man” or “he.”
