Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Proverbs 2: 10 - 15

Searching for wisdom, as we have seen in verses 1-6, helps us to get closer to God… to really get to KNOW Him as a person; His ways, and His character. It helps us learn the truths that He wants us to know. Now, lets read today's verses.

Proverbs 2: 10 - 15 (NKJV)

10 When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
11 Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,

12 To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice in doing evil,
And delight in the perversity of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked,
And who are devious in their paths;

Inside of each person that He has created, is a “God sized hole.” People are, instinctually, always trying to fill that “hole” with something that will bring peace and joy into their heart. When God is there, “entering your heart” then your soul is fulfilled, and you’ll find pleasure there.

Learning that there is a God that is intimately concerned with your every thought and deed, should help foster “discretion” in a person. The online dictionary says that discretion is - 1. the trait of judging wisely and objectively; AND 2. Ability or power to decide responsibly.” This ability will “preserve” us (keep us out of trouble). The second line of verse 11 restates the first line as following one of the rules of Hebrew poetry.

Restatement is done a lot in these chapters we’ve been studying, because seeing the value of wisdom and the folly of “indiscretion,” or NOT being discrete, is so important in God’s eyes. He wants us to have His peace and joy in our hearts and a soul full of pleasure because He loves us so much.

Verse 12 thru 15 refer back to verses 10 and 11. If we let wisdom enter our hearts, then we are delivered from the “way of evil” and will choose our friends wisely, staying away from people who “speak perverse things.” (perverse – 1. marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict; 2. resistant to guidance or discipline; 3. deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper or good; 4. Obstinately persisting in an error or fault; wrongly self-willed or stubborn)

God calls people with this nature, EVIL. We are warned that they will lead us AWAY from “right paths” and INTO “the ways of darkness.” Their words will make the evil, wicked things seem “delightful.” God calls them “crooked” and “devious” (devious – 1. Not straightforward; shifty 2. characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive
)

These verses warn us, strongly, not to associate with people who display a “perverse” way of speaking, and who are “devious.” Reading the meanings of these two words says a lot about the type of people we should stay away from. We all know people with a tendency toward these natures, and we must be on guard when we are in their presence, so that our thoughts are not brought down to their level, and away from the things God would have us think on:

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

3 comments:

  1. I have found there is a fine line between discernment and judging and I fell into the trap of not discerning what was right because I didn't want to judge, that is not good we need to discern such as friends or associates, so that we are not led astray. Which is a tricky one too (at least for me) to stay around some people to influence their life and hopefully be the light they need, however being careful not to let them influence you.
    Thanks for your time and these posts.
    About the comments: I did a study on my blog and had little and then very little interaction which left me with mixed feelings. I know it is human nature to get pumped up in the beginning of something and then not complete the race. God has been talking to me about this. It is very important that we finish the race that He gives us. My other feelings were whether or not I was doing a good job, if they cared or if I should have ever done it to begin with. Well all I know it that I said I was going to do it, I finished it and I'm sure God will bless me for it.
    And because it is nice to get feed back I try to encourage those that are helping me. Like you.
    I am enjoying this - I check each day to see if there is a new post. If you stop that is okay - But I like it - and wanted you to know.

    Also I have looked at your website and the general location of where you are located, my Husbnad and I take trips to CA ad AZ every year and sometimes we drive. It was funny to think that I have driven down I-5 for years and now I will have a new thought when I pass you area.

    Thanks again, sorry for the ramble
    Blessings,
    Lynn

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  2. Just found out that you are studying Proverbs, which is something I've been trying to do for the month of March. I'll have to read more.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Thanks for the comments. It does help to know that others are interested in some of the things that God is showing me for my life. I got a bit discouraged because there was so much repetition in what was being said in those first couple of chapters, and I was afraid that it would get boring for "MY" readers, and then God let me know that it wasn't "MY" readers anyway... It was His and He would bring those He wanted to share with WHEN HE wanted to share with them and meanwhile, I just needed to be obedient because maybe I was the one He wanted to share with.

    Your comments, Lynn, were right on target for me, too. It IS a very fine line between judging and discernment. We are studying Galatians in our Monday evening Bible Study small group, and that very thing came up tonight.

    Sometimes we "want to help" point out where a person may be going down a "wrong" path as far as we are concerned, too, but actually, it is a path that God wants them to learn something from, and we have to trust that if they are really "in God's hands" that HE is ABLE to care for them and teach them what He wants them to know. We really need to be in prayer and trying to know when and what HE would have us say when dealing with others... like our children, etc.

    Of course, I'm not talking about a "wrong" choice like drugs or something like that, in which case then we SHOULD say something... I'm more talking about job choices, etc. I know of people who want to "run" their grown children's lives... THAT type of thing.

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