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.