November 2

Nov 2 - Today from Proverbs 2 we look at verses 11 and 12
"Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse."

What are perverse words? To pervert something means to turn something away from its proper use or nature. Wisdom is the knowledge of the proper way. Perversion is to distort knowledge - usually for self-gratifying purposes. Sin perverts. Our words are to edify, to encourage and to bless others. Perverse words entice, wound, or curse others. Wicked men use perverse words constantly. Perverse words can be very deceptive and subtle. Discretion detects the motives behind perverse words and protects the righteous from the wicked ways of those who use them.
Discretion is the ability to tell right from wrong. Not only for ourselves, but it also helps us to detect evil motives in others. The beginning of this chapter gives a graphic description of how diligent we must be in acquiring wisdom. It uses plenty of verbs, which makes growing in wisdom very practical. The 'milk' of God's word is that which is easy to digest. It could also be called 'surface truths'. Digesting meat takes more energy, in both chewing and digesting. The meat of God's word is deeper and is found only by going after it and digging it out. It is that kind of practical study and application which enables one to grow in discretion and understanding. Hebrew 5:14 puts it this way; "Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
We don't gain wisdom through osmosis. We don't suck it up by sitting in a church pew. It doesn't seep into our soul from that Bible sitting on the end table. It doesn't leak into us from hanging around wise people. It comes from seeking knowledge of and from God, and then constantly applying that knowledge until it has trained (transformed), our mind.
Is it really worth all that bother and effort? It is if you value your relationship with the One who redeemed you. It is if you want to live a full life and not end up with an empty shell of a life that only echoes with faint memories and loud regrets. It is if you get married, have children, and want to provide for and protect your family. It is if you want to sleep peacefully at night. Yes. It is.