So what does this verse have to do with us?
Proverbs 6:15--We might simply blink past this verse. It doesn't really apply to us, right? The subject of the curse is an evil man who plots evil things (vss. 12-14). And we're not evil.
But, the thing that stuck out to me was verse 14 which said: "...with deceit in his heart stirring up strife."
Over the years I've noticed decent, Jesus-followers who normally wouldn't cause anyone harm, have an area in their heart with unresolved issues from their past. Those unresolved issues create a lot of strife in their own lives, and those around them have to deal with that strife.
I was one of those souls. I struggled with perfection. From issues with my childhood, I thought I had to be perfect to be loved. And therefore, others around me should be perfect before I could truly trust and love them.
As you can imagine, this brought a boatload of strife when that wounded part of me surfaced. I was broken, but there was a remedy.
I hope you'll allow me a little latitude. Here we go. If we produce strife around us when certain triggers occur, and we don't seek the LORD for healing and restoration, there will come a time when we'll break. But, this is not a bad thing, IF we humble ourselves and allow the LORD to reveal the "deceit" we've held onto.
For me, that deceit was that I needed to be perfect in order for my Heavenly Father to love me. And worse, that others had to meet that deceiving expectation as well.
There came a moment where I felt my world was crashing down because I kept failing over and over again. People around me were frustrated with my judging and I was alienating folks right and left. It felt like a disaster--I guess in my world, it was. It was at that point I realized the problem may have been with me. And fortunately, I eventually figured out that no one could help me except my Creator and Savior.
I suppose, ideally, we could deal with the problem before we break. I'm know there were opportunities the LORD gave me before I had the great humbling. Or maybe that's just 20/20 hindsight. Regardless, had He not brought me down, He could not have lifted me up out of that stinking pit of lies.
So, perhaps we can view this verse without pointing the finger at people we think are evil. Waiting until their time of judgment makes them break.
Maybe, we can check our own hearts for any deceit that causes strife in our life and those around us. Just know, eventually--because He loves us--we will have to deal with it. And as uncomfortable as that may feel, my friends, the joy of freedom more than makes up for it.
May we check our hearts, my friends.
Proverbs 6:15--Therefore his disaster will come suddenly—in an instant he will be broken, with no remedy. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
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