(Part 2) Click Here for Part 1
I like to be alone.
There is nothing like it in the world.
No one around – just me and God.
It’s the best case scenario for rest. No one waking you up when they need you.
It’s the best case scenario for studying for a message, or writing.
It’s nice to be alone…
in isolation.
So when I read the first verse today, it stopped me in my tracks.
Yep…
there was a long pause and a reread of the first verse in chapter 18…
“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” ESV
Does this mean I must always have someone around me?
Does this mean I am selfish?
Does this mean I need to study where there are people and not alone?
What is this verse saying?
What is really meant by “He who separates himself?”
What is he distancing himself from?
The word that is used here for “separation” means “dividing from” something or “separating from” something. For example, in Genesis 10:5, it is described as dividing (or separating) people into nations. Other places it is used as dividing individuals or groups from one another (Gen 13:9, 11, 14), or separating a person from his tribe (Judges 4:11). Here in proverbs 18:1 it is the individual that “separates” himself “from” a type of community.
Within the context of Proverbs, the group he is separating himself from would, no doubt, be the faithful, wise community of God’s people.
Why can we say this?
Because up to this point, the writer of Proverbs has been telling us over and over again not to hang around foolish people (he tells us to separate from them) and he has been encouraging us to find people that are wise and “walk with them” (Proverbs 13:20).
Here, he is saying that the person who decides to “go it alone” as separate (or independent) from the fellowship of believers (in our day it would be the church) is “breaking up against” sound judgment.
“Breaking up against.”
The term “breaking up against” in scripture, always has to do with quarreling. So the one that feels he does not need others quarrels against wisdom’s instruction to walk with the wise. It is a feeling of prideful independence that vehemently resists any counsel or guide.
“Breaking up Against”
It is the person that has a desire to go it alone and do things his way…
therefore losing touch with sound wisdom…
and winds up living the life of a fool.
For us today it is the family that says…
“We just do church at home”
It’s the person that says…
“I watch Charles Stanley on TV and that is my church”
It’s the person who says…
“I stream Andy Stanley every Sunday Morning and I have church at home.
It’s the person who says…
“I study the Bible on my own for myself”
It’s the person that thinks they can go it alone and grow in Lord at the same time.
The fact is, you and I need church. Not because it is some religious requirement. Instead, it’s because we need to be around each other and fellowship with one another to gain insight and guidance.
When the writer says “whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire” it’s not our occasional desire to be alone from time to time he is speaking of here. Instead, it’s when someone chooses to continually neglect “community” with God’s people.
Remember, Church is plural in definition… it is made up of more than just you.
That’s what jumped out at me from the passage today.
What did you see?
phillipbrande.com 
I also think it is vital for us to have accountability in addidtion to the fellowship. When we go it alone by only listening to a ministers who don’t know us personally, we miss the benefit of a personal friend to help us stay on track. Thanks for being my pastor who knows me personally.
Accountability is a big deal… without it we all go astray… good stuff Bonnie.
4- The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
This the the verse that stood out to me today… How very true it is and yet again God is putting this verse and a word on my heart… The word… “FOCUS”…. There is a lot of turmoil around me right now… Nothing too bad for me personally, but it is all around me and I kinda feel like I am standing on the peak of a cliff and the waters around me are rising… they are swirling and churning and yet I am there and I am safe… I see them coming, but I have peace. Like there is an invisible barrier between myself and all of that chaos… Here I find the word “focus” and I KNOW it is coming from my God.
For some reason, I am the one people come to… to vent, to chat, to ask for advice… I am honored to be that person, but with it comes weight that is heavy…I have learned over time to say very little and listen intently, I suppose that is what makes me “that” person to people. I am thankful today that I stand assured that God has me in His hand and I am going to be ok on that cliff.. Thank you Lord for giving me such a powerful and simple word today.
Thanks for sharing and I am praying for you today for God to lighten your load.