“He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Proverbs 18:1 AMP
A clear explanation for the motive of rejecting God’s ways. There is a clear and present danger when a person separates themselves from that which is morally and socially correct, contradicting all that has been established as good! The result is an attempt to advance “new” understandings of what in the past was clear and concise. The premise they put forward is always on that supports their own sinful behavior and practices. Notice that the Scripture says that this done “willingly.” That person has a clear understanding of the norm but choses to reject that which is sound. I am reminded of the verse in the book of Romans.
“8And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, 29until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity]. 32Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them”
Romans 1:28-32 AMP
Notice that the motivation for all this is an attempt to fulfill that which the flesh is demanding. James warns the believer of the results of living according to the demands of the flesh.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). 15Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.”
James 1:13-15 AMP
Be careful not to be deceived by the flattering words of the deceiver. Sin comes from within! Satan used the desire of the flesh to cause the fall of man in the garden! The Apostle Paul gave us clear direction when faced with making these type of decisions.
“For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. 4The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP
Do you remember some of the verses we studied in the beginning chapters of Proverbs?
“He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him]; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],”
Proverbs 2:7 AMP
“My son, let them not escape from your sight, But keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22And they will be life to your soul (your inner self) And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self). 23Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely And your foot will not stumble.”
Proverbs 3:20-23 AMP
Let me encourage you today to keep sound wisdom and discretion in all you do. The world is trying to rewrite the moral absolutes that were given to us for a security society. Do not fall for the empty wisdom and reasoning of foolish men. Be ready to take captive every thought before the throne of grace and live! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken