The Danger of Isolation!

"An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels."(Proverbs 18:1 NIV)

The verse in NIV translation appears to be an inner issue with the person. When a person doesn't appear to be friendly , he pursues selfish ends. This statement needn't be always true and when we look at the root language, we see a different meaning. When we look at the Orthodox Jewish Bible it states

"A man who separates himself seeks his own ta’avah (desire); he defies all tushiyyah (wisdom, sound judgment).."

The NKJV quotes the same verse like "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;He rages against all wise judgment."

Desire is the issue here. When a person seperates or isolates himself, he is not able to follow wisdom or sound judgement. These days we see a lot of people doing this. They isolate themselves and pursue their likings which often their untransformed self dictates them to do. They also dont like to socialise and often categorise as introverts. Yet its not about being extroverts or introverts . Its about knowing the plan of God. God didn't place man on earth to be alone. God placed him with a responsibility.to steward creation. To live in harmony with people around him and to be there for one another. Yet when desires rise up, people seek their own pleasures than common good. Lot did exactly the same and the Word of God says - He seperated from Abraham's blessed life."

Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt."(Genesis 13:10).

Eve also did the same thing while experimenting with sin. She saw the " that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it."(Gen 3:6)

The perfect example of this principle is the New Testament is Judas Iscariot. His eyes were on the money bag rather than the blessed Lord.(John 12:6) He didn't think twice to betray our Lord and end his life.

God has given us a family, a faith community primarily to be focussed on His plans than our selfish desires. If we keep our desires under control, we would not lose sound judgement.

Hence its important to ask these questions

1) In the pursuit of "good" that I perceive am I missing God?

2) Am I isolating or seperating from the family,community God has given me to pursue my goals, dreams that appear to be very good at the surface level?

3) In case am moving on, do I have a plan for my spiritual development and blessing the communities that I come from ?

4)How strong is the Word inside of you, that we can say "No" to ungoldy passions.

5)Cherish the family, community and pursue the call of God in your life. Be the strongest link and a strong support to the system.

Stay in your calling. Never shirk from responsibilities. Be spiritually accountable to those whom God has placed around you.