3 Lessons From Proverbs 18:1

My husband and I recently did a study of the book of Proverbs. If you’ve never read this book, let me urge you to do so. It is from the mind of the man who was once called the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, son of King David.

I want to focus on Proverbs 18:1. I saw this verse on a Meta post someone did this week. Just the simple verse there for anyone who would actually see it and take it to heart. This is from the ESV, Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.  I think NKJV says the second half of this verse even better: He rages against all wise judgment.

When we just read through our Bibles we aren’t to simply read the words. I’m pretty sure God’s intent was for the words He gave to us through the best book that ever existed were meant to be transformative. They were meant to make us think, to grow closer to Him, to understand one another better, and the list goes on and on.

For whatever reason, this verse seemed to call to me. I’d read it at least five or six times over the past few years as we’ve read our Bibles beginning to end. But I finally took a second, and even a third look and asked, what?  There are lessons to be taken from this.

 

LESSON 1

GOD NEVER INTENDED US TO DO LIFE ALONE

Have you ever stopped to consider the difference in solitude and isolation. Solitude is choosing to be alone for a little while. Perhaps, like Jesus, to be alone to pray. Isolation cuts us off from others. Of course, when we read about this, these days our minds go immediately to 2020 and 2021 when we were all told to stay in our own homes and not intermingle with anyone. I’m not going political on you. That’s not my intent.

Jesus sought solitude when He needed to commune with His Father in prayer. But He always returned to His disciples, His friends, those who deeply cared for Him and He for them.

On a personal note, I’ve seen the result of that isolation within my own family. It isn’t a pretty story, believe me. I’m sure many of you have loved ones or friends who were affected negatively by the isolation.

Here’s the bottom line for the Christian: from the very beginning, God said, It is not good that the man should be alone (Genesis 2:18 ESV). While this may have been about marriage, in the broader sense we are being told that we were created for relationship—with God and with one another. When we make the decision to isolate from others, we remove ourselves from encouragement, accountability, and even wise counsel.

3 Lessons from Proverbs 18:1 @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #ChristianBlogger #Wisdom Share on X

LESSON 2

ISOLATION OFTEN REVEALS A SELF-FOCUSED HEART

Go back and read the first part of this again. Solomon says Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire. Ouch! We all have our own reasons for choosing isolation. My husband and I have seen us make those choices in the past, even though we didn’t realize that’s what we were doing at the time. But that’s another story for a much longer book-length work.

Why would someone choose isolation? Well, maybe they’re hurting, exhausted, or perhaps we just don’t want anyone to question our choices. We’re all selfish to some degree. It’s human nature to prefer our own opinions. But we are called to be accountable, to listen to correction. Can you see the problem isn’t being alone, it’s wanting my way more than God’s way? I feel that we’ve all been there at least once in our lifetimes. My husband and I have experienced this in our own lives.

LESSON 3

WISE COUNSEL IS ONE OF GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS

Look at the second half of that verse. The isolated person breaks out against all sound judgment. Isolation doesn’t just separate us from people; it separates from wisdom. When you choose to isolate, whose wisdom are you missing out on? Proverbs overflows with verses that tell us to seek wisdom from many different sources—parents, mentors, friends, and especially God’s Word.

Proverbs 15:22 ESV speaks directly to this Without wise counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. That’s straightforward. Can you think of a time when you rejected someone’s words of wisdom and later wished you had listened to their counsel? I know I have. Sometimes, we even tune out the voice of God through Holy Spirit speaking to us. Yes, I’ve done that too.

There was a time when I heard Holy Spirit speaking directly to my heart. I tried to ignore it as I honestly thought I was crazy. It was seemingly audible. Perhaps it was. We don’t know how God chooses to speak to us from time to time. But that particular day, after hearing His voice three times, telling me to something, I listened. My being obedient changed our lives, our hearts, and our eternity from that day forward. And this is another story for that long book. Maybe one day.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Think about this—on those days when you may feel that you just don’t need anybody, that may be when you need somebody the most.

If this is you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I don’t know about being the wisest person on the earth, I’d never claim that title, but I’ve lived a long time and have experienced much of life. And if we can’t do anything but cry or pray together, I’m always available to do that. We need one another. We need Jesus!

If you don’t know where you will be spending eternity, let me remind you there are only two choices. One choice leads to eternity with Jesus, the other isolates you from God for eternity. Choose wisely. Read the Gospel of John, then the book of Romans. Pay close attention to Romans 10:9. It can change your eternity.

Blessings, y’all!

A lovely arrangement of an old, old hymn. Fitting for this post!