Public and Private

(Proverbs 7:1 KJV)  My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

The walk of faith is always a two sided coin and you can’t have the coin without both sides.  If you went to a coin dealer to buy a golden eagle and the coin handed to you was smooth on one side, would you accept it as genuine?  I hope not.

In the same way we see the quest for wisdom having two approaches in this verse.  In the NASB you have the outward action of “keep” (8104) and the inward attitude of “treasure” (6845).  In the KJV it is a contrast between public and the private “lay up” (6845).  We can put on a good act for our family and friends.  We can pull the wool over the eyes of an entire church.  Many people can live exemplary lives in their own strength.  The point they overlook is that God can see their hearts and tell whether the righteousness is really important to the inner man.

So?  Don’t be fooled just because you can fool others.  God has a spy.  It is your heart.  It betrays you or puts a smile on His face.