Proverbs 18:1-5
 
Prov 18:1 (KJB)
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
 
Desire - Longing, appetite, or lust
 
It is not clear in this verse as to whether the subject has willingly separated himself or was driven out of the assembly. The chief message here is that those who separate themselves from others will only be left to their own wisdom and will not take advantage of the wisdom and insights of others. The book of Proverbs is big on family and friends and those who separate themselves are only looking for trouble in their own life. It goes against all wisdom to separate ones self from others because we were not designed to live in this life alone. This is especially true for Christians. No Christian should separate themselves from other believers because we are a body and there is not one part of the human body which can exist on its own. The old saying, “no man is an island” is a very true statement for even an island cannot exist without contact from others.
 
Prov 18:2 (KJB)
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
 
Hath delight - To be pleased
Understanding - Insight or skill
But that - Because
 
A fool will never delight in understanding because his ways are all of foolishness and his path is always opposite of true wisdom. Another main reason that he despises wisdom is because if he begins to live his life according to wisdom, he will discover that he has been a fool and this is something he does not want to find out. Fools think they have all knowledge and whatever they do, it is right in their sight even if it leads them into more trouble.
 
Prov 18:3 (KJB)
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
 
Ignominy - Dishonor
Reproach - Disgrace
 
When the wicked man is present, he brings with him contempt or despising with dishonor and disgrace. Since the wicked is in view, his despising must be of the true Gospel. His hatred of the Gospel does not only include himself but he begins to spew his poison out to others and the mindset against the Gospel would grow. The presence of wicked people is never without spewing venom about something. They despise everything that is good and they oppose true wisdom. The wicked are never satisfied unless they have destroyed somebody’s reputation or done harm to something good.
 
Prov 18:4 (KJB)
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
 
Wellspring - Fountain
Flowing - Gushing
 
Here is a verse which discerns between words and true wisdom. The words of a man are as deep waters which means you can only look at the surface because if you look into deep water, you will not see the bottom and you will only see darkness. Darkness is always associated with mystery and some people speak with words that tend to take a subject or situation and mire it down in mystery. Instead of helping the situation, it adds more problems. On the contrary, true wisdom is like a fountain which is gushing clean and clear water. You can see the bottom of the creek which means that you can see the wisdom of the statements being given and the solution to the problems in the words. There is no dark mystery about true wisdom as it always brings a solution along with stability to any situation.
 
Prov 18:5 (KJB)
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
 
Good - Useful or proper
Accept - Lift up
In judgment - With justice
 
There is one thing we find throughout the book of Proverbs and that is disdain of injustice done to the innocent. In society, we find too many times that those who are wicked always seem to somehow come out without penalty for their actions. It may be that they have the resources to bribe or they may be in league with the one who is overseeing their case. This verse tells us that it is improper to not only vindicate the wicked but to lift them up to a position they do not deserve. If there is one thing the Great White Throne Judgment will correct, it will be the injustices done to those who did not deserve it.

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