Proverbs 24:1-4 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 24:1-4, which read,

v. 1, 2 Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence and their lips talk of trouble.

Why are we envious of those who are doing wrong?  The sin nature within us is hungry and wants to be fed so it twists what we would call good.  It makes bad look like it would have some good qualities for us to participate in.  There must be some benefit to us otherwise all these other people wouldn't look happy doing it is our reasoning.  

I was always puzzled by the phase that went through a few years back of call something that was good "bad" and something that was bad, sarcastically "good."  What confusion to add into the mix.  The person of wisdom speaks plainly and lives plainly after the Lord.  They are envious to be with Him rather than evil men who have other plans that involve violence and trouble to those who are even just with them.  A good cross reference is from the previous chapter in verse 17 which reads, "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always."

v. 3, 4 - By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Here is the flip side to verses 1 and 2.  We are given a trifecta of qualities to go after:  wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.  In the Bible "a house" can mean a physical structure, a family, or a dynasty.  We replace violence and trouble with precious and pleasant riches when we go after these three.

The word "wisdom" at its root is to be in the act of becoming wise or it is an active word and action to be a part of.  The word "understanding" at its root is to be discerning and in the act of considering so we have another active word.  The word "knowledge" at its root is to be in the act of knowing so a third word of active involvement.  Wisdom and understanding establish or make firm or lay the foundation for knowledge to be used properly which is like its rooms being filled with precious and pleasant riches that are true riches of eternal value.

How active are you in gaining wisdom, understanding, and knowledge?  Your house can not be established by my active pursuit of the Lord.  It has to be you taking upon yourself to seek after Him beyond what I give you from the pulpit, in the small group setting, and maybe personal counseling time.  It is your house and be very careful what is put in the house.  Those who are unwise will want to fill it up with things that will reek havoc but an active pursuit to be wise and to gain understanding and to apply knowledge given by God will fill your life with treasures the world knows nothing about.  Let us pray.

"Lord, help us to see the bad as bad and the good as good.  Help us to not confuse the two or try to make the bad have some type of good quality for us.  May we be active in our relationship with You and see the results to our lives and those who You have put around us.  Help us to put down a wisdom and understanding foundation and see the applied knowledge rooms above filled with what we can glorify You with.  Amen."

Pastor Adam