5 or 17

(Pro 9:4 KJV)  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

I don’t know how many times I read this chapter before I realized that the words of this verse are repeated exactly in verse 16.  Exactly.  Really.  If you don’t believe me go check.  I’ll wait....  Before and after the message changes but this is the same.  The lesson for my theme this month is that you can’t always take first impressions or opening statements and build on it.  

In our initial contacts with people and ideas we need to be gracious and kind.  That does not mean we turn our minds off.  We keep listening and watching and observe what goes on around.  Do they appeal to righteousness and honor like verse 5 or do they invite to dissipation and compromise like 17?  It does not always take a long time to catch the drift.

So?  Go ahead and give people the benefit of the doubt at the beginning but that doubt should dissipate one way or the other.  Stay alert.