Not Out of This World

(Proverbs 2:15 KJV)  Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

Verses 11 and 12 tell us that two qualities, discretion and understanding, will do three things, guard, watch over and deliver, and then begins to give examples of what we need protection from.  In verse 12 it gives one mention of an impersonal way and then begins a list of people who practice certain behaviors and choices.  In this verse we are warned about people who walk “crooked” and are “devious” (3868).

Discretion and understanding will not keep you from rubbing elbows with this kind of person.  That is not the nature of this assistance.  We cannot retreat into special communes and refuse to engage society.  Paul points this out to us when he is warning us about phony Christians.

(1 Corinthians 5:10 KJV)  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

The help we are promised is in recognizing, as the KJV calls them, “froward” (3868) people that warp their way into our lives.  We work with them.  We shop with them.  We worship with them.  We might be married to them. 

So?  We can live in victory but not if we do not read the warning labels.  Keep in mind that some of the foods we eat would be poison if they were not prepared correctly.  God can teach us to prepare life correctly and keep us on the straight path.