Open Eyes

(Proverbs 24:8 KJV)  He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

This is not a warning about not being a “mischievous person" (schemer NASB) (1167/4209) as much as a warning to avoid them.  This is a fascinating compound word.  The compound part comes across better in the KJV than the NASB but the NASB has a footnote.  The footnote says, “or deviser of evil.”

This is advice about those seeking marriage, friendship, employment or voting.  A “schemer” seems to refer to anyone who will be able to exert influence on your life.  It is translated many different ways in different versions:  husband, owner, possessor, captain, confederate, even archer.  Each of these people have a degree of power over other people.  The advice is that you avoid them.

So?  People influence our lives.  Sometimes we have no choice in who we deal with, sometimes we do.  If you can’t avoid certain people, at least open your eyes and be aware that they have plans that are not righteous and their toy is you.  Pray, observe, think, act, trust.