“He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].” Proverbs 18:1-2 AMP

Today we are reminded of the danger of forsaking God and following our own path. The pathway to disaster always begins with forsaking God’s Word. The Hebrew word here translated “separate” is the word meaning to “divide the whole into separate pieces.” In a day and age of very liberal theology, one must be careful to always see God’s Word in its fullness. Taking things out of context to justify one’s own beliefs is a disastrous practice! Notice that the reason for not attending to the totality of the Word is “seeking his own desires.” The Scripture is very clear that we are in a battle against the flesh and its corrupted desires. Remember that fleshly desires are an expression of the old nature! Paul wrote to the Galatians,

“Now the practices of the [i]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20[j]idolatry, [k]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.”

Galatians 5:19-24 AMP

Ouch! We can clearly see those traits being demonstrated by the world around us today. In verse, 16, Paul told them that,

“But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].”

Galatians 5:16 AMP

We are told straight up that the sinful desires come from responding to sin “impulsively without regard for God and His precepts.” This is the exact warning of these verses in Proverbs. At the root of the problem is a desire to justify one’s own sinful behavior causing a “division” of the whole truth! The power of the Word is in its truth. Remember the Words of Jesus?

“And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” John 8:32 AMP

The words of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 AMP

The attack on God’s Word is cold and calculated. Satan knows that it is the truth about our sinful condition that will release us from the bondage of his sin! It is a stupid and fatal thing to disregard the precepts and ways of God. Remember that many of the promises of God are conditional on accepting and enacting the precepts and commands of God! To walk with Him means to adopt a Godly lifestyle, meditating on God daily and living your life according to His will! 

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken