August 14

Aug 14 - Today from Proverbs 14 we look at verse 1
"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."

I am fully convinced that there is a spiritual law equal to the physical law of the second law of thermodynamics. I am a little out of my technical element here, but it was explained to me that the second law of thermodynamics basically states that everything is in the constant process of breaking down to its most basic natural elements. Having some basic knowledge of the law, I feel this to be a correct statement, although only a single facet of a complex concept.
The point of the illustration is that man must be constantly caring for (preventative maintenance), or repairing (corrective maintenance), physical objects in order to overcome the 'destructive' forces of the second law. The automobile is a prime example. We use engine oil to keep friction from wearing the moving engine parts out. We change oil because the basic protective elements of the oil break down. Even this protective maintenance is not enough to completely stop the second law. Eventually the heat and stress of energy does its work and parts wear out and must be replaced - corrective maintenance. We employ maintenance to slow down or overcome the second law. It's work, but it's necessary labor for the purpose of protecting our investments and being good stewards of our endowments.
We readily 'get it' when it comes to understanding the practical application and outcome of the physical realm of the second law, even if we do not fully understand or are not fully able to articulate it. We either work to maintain - or we suffer loss. That is somewhat what the metaphor of our proverb is stating. The wise woman may not be literally building constant editions on her house, but through maintenance she may build parts of her house several times over. Similarly, the foolish women may not be literally tearing her house down brick by brick, but her misplaced values and efforts may be contributing to lack of maintenance and the result is that her house is indeed being 'torn down'. The second law is a law, and is constantly at work.
There is also a spiritual 'second law'. It is just as much of a law as the physical second law. But because we cannot readily see the outcome we have much more difficulty in practical application. Spiritual wisdom is understanding things the way God meant them to be. Sin introduced the spiritual 'second law' by making man self-centered/self-serving rather than God-centered/neighbor-serving. The apostle Paul reveals that this self-nature is somehow intimately connected to the 'flesh' (our sensual being). Even as believers, as long as we remain in this 'corrupted body' we have residence for the 'old nature'. Unless we continually work spiritual maintenance, the spiritual second law is at work to break us down to our most natural and basic elements - the old nature of self-centered/self-serving ways.
Jesus revealed and supported this spiritual second law in Luke 11:23 where He says, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." As soon as we stop maintaining our relationship with Him, we allow the force of the spiritual second law to do its work. There is no 'neutral'. Just because the foolish woman is not tearing bricks out of the wall does not mean that her house is not being destroyed. She must practice proper maintenance in order to keep her house sound and functional. Just because we are not cursing or openly opposing the Lord Jesus does not mean that we are not slipping back into our old nature. If we are not maintaining, we are opposing. There is no neutral ground.
Wisdom pursues seeking restoration and maintenance in keeping a God-centered/neighbor-serving life. Foolishness misplaces values and puts effort into self-centered/self-serving things. One builds, the other tears down. It's a law. A law that even Jesus Himself revealed and upholds. The great thing is, He gives grace to maintain. It's the only way we can.