One Who Isolates/Separates Themself…

The Proverbs in my daily readings are hitting a chord with me. Join me as I ponder a couple verses, using several Bibles to dig in.

Proverbs 18:1 NKJV – A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.

Proverbs 18:1 NASB – One who separates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.

Proverbs 18:1 CSB – One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.

A man who isolates…

one who separates…                                                  one who separates…themselves…

Seeks his own desire…pursues selfish desires…

He rages against…he quarrels against.. He rebels against…

All wise judgement…all sound wisdom.

     So, when we separate ourselves and/or  isolate ourselves, what happens? I ask this because many people are doing this, especially since the forced isolation of the “COVID Protocol”.

     Proverbs 18:1 says that when we separate, we seek and pursue our own selfish desires. This leads to rebelliosness, rage, and unrest.

     Notice how we’ve been mired in false judgements and false wisdom. Not only false, but much of it has been down right foolish, to our own detriment.

     Think about the divides that are occurring. Start with talking about pro- vaccine/anti- vaccine, Republicans/Democrats… or a myriad of contentious topics, and best friends/families begin to draw spiritual [some litteral] knives, guns, and bombs.

     Marriages have broken up. Children are confused. Young people have descended into depression, fears, and anxiety. True hope and love is waning, even to this day.  Let’s explore the next verse, Proverbs 18:2.

Proverbs 18:2 CSB – A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.

Proverbs 18:2 NASB – A fool does not delight in understanding,
But in revealing his own mind.

Proverbs 18:2 NKJV – A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.

     A fool does not delight/has no delight in understanding. So why do they share?

To show off their opinions… to reveal their own mind…to express their own mind.

     We need to guard our hearts and guide our thoughts and words correctly. I think about my own desire to share.

      Am I doing these things? Showing off, revealing my own mind; expressing it just to make myself heard? Or am I connected to The Holy Spirit of God, correctly dividing the Word of God, and encouraging others to live in loving truth?

     I confess that I do not do any of this perfectly.  I know that the LORD guides me and Holy Spirit inspires me. I also know that I dont hear perfectly. I often irritate my husband, sharing things that I know at the wrong time. (My input is not always timely)

     I have always filled my mind and thoughts with much knowledge and wisdom.  In this information age, with this foray into Artificial Intelligence, knowledge is not enough.

Holy Spirit was poured out to be:

John 14:26 NKJV – … the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I [Jesus] said to you.

So, how do we help others?

*By plugging in to the Holy Spirit, realizing He is in you, and with you, in all things.

*Seek to know and understand more of the Word of God daily.

*Be ready with a word of encouragement and wisdom wherever you go.

*Minister to the one who’s right in front of you.

I leave you with these thoughts:

Colossians 3:14-17 NKJV – But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.