He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. Proverbs 18:1
This proverb speaks of one who separates himself. Here is an interesting issue - because the Bible does speak of separation for God's people. God calls for this on the basis of holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to "come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean, and I will welcome you." God speaks of separation from the spirit of this present world. We are in the world, but we are not to be "of" it. That is the separation that God wants for us to know.
Human reasons for separation (outside of medical ones for infection and disease - which by the way the Law encouraged) are foolish. Our society separates for the sake of race - seeking categories of blacks, whites, hispanics, orientals, etc. God does not see this way. He sees men as either saved or unsaved. They are either of the world or of His church. But outside of these distinctions - which by the way are not for discrimination, except that we might know to whom we should minister - God does not see as man does.
This man is separating himself out of a desire to ignore wisdom. He wants to walk in his own rebellion and godlessness. He is separating himself from those who would offer biblical advice and counsel concerning his lifestyle and choices. Rather than receive that advice and counsel - he utterly rejects it - even going to the point of separating himself from the people who offer it. He even quarrels against all the godly wisdom that is offered to him. The word quarrel is the Hebrew "gala" and means to burst forth against - which has the idea of arguing and being stubborn and obstinate. This man wants nothing to do with God's wisdom - and rejects it so he can "seek his own desire.
There are men who just don't want God's ways. They separate themselves against God - and subsequently against anyone who speaks the things of God. They do so in order to walk in whatever way they want. Some do so for the sake of immorality and sensual conduct that they want to maintain. When faced with godly counsel concerning the immorality, they rage against it and turn away from the messenger and the message. God calls this arguing against sound wisdom - and continues His commentary in the next verse. He says there that the fool doesn't even want to understand - he only wants to babble his ideas and speak his own mind. Here the fool is the one who doesn't want to listen - he only wants to live out the desires of his flesh. Separating yourself from others to seek out wickedness is one of the most harmful foolish ways of all. May God deliver us from such foolishness!
This proverb speaks of one who separates himself. Here is an interesting issue - because the Bible does speak of separation for God's people. God calls for this on the basis of holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to "come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean, and I will welcome you." God speaks of separation from the spirit of this present world. We are in the world, but we are not to be "of" it. That is the separation that God wants for us to know.
Human reasons for separation (outside of medical ones for infection and disease - which by the way the Law encouraged) are foolish. Our society separates for the sake of race - seeking categories of blacks, whites, hispanics, orientals, etc. God does not see this way. He sees men as either saved or unsaved. They are either of the world or of His church. But outside of these distinctions - which by the way are not for discrimination, except that we might know to whom we should minister - God does not see as man does.
This man is separating himself out of a desire to ignore wisdom. He wants to walk in his own rebellion and godlessness. He is separating himself from those who would offer biblical advice and counsel concerning his lifestyle and choices. Rather than receive that advice and counsel - he utterly rejects it - even going to the point of separating himself from the people who offer it. He even quarrels against all the godly wisdom that is offered to him. The word quarrel is the Hebrew "gala" and means to burst forth against - which has the idea of arguing and being stubborn and obstinate. This man wants nothing to do with God's wisdom - and rejects it so he can "seek his own desire.
There are men who just don't want God's ways. They separate themselves against God - and subsequently against anyone who speaks the things of God. They do so in order to walk in whatever way they want. Some do so for the sake of immorality and sensual conduct that they want to maintain. When faced with godly counsel concerning the immorality, they rage against it and turn away from the messenger and the message. God calls this arguing against sound wisdom - and continues His commentary in the next verse. He says there that the fool doesn't even want to understand - he only wants to babble his ideas and speak his own mind. Here the fool is the one who doesn't want to listen - he only wants to live out the desires of his flesh. Separating yourself from others to seek out wickedness is one of the most harmful foolish ways of all. May God deliver us from such foolishness!
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