Do You Isolate Yourself? (Proverbs 18)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Is being around others tough?

With nearly one out of four US adults feeling lonely,[1] it’s no secret that the tendency to hide behind screens and isolate is now more tempting than ever. But Proverbs 18:1 says, “One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.” Robert Alter translates this verse to say, “A loner seeks a pretext, where one needs prudence, he is exposed.” He explains, “The sense of the whole verse might be: a person cut off from other people constantly looks for a quarrel and by so doing shamefully exposes his own weaknesses in the very situations that call for prudence.”[2]

What is the nature of someone who isolates? Verse 2 says, “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.” As Alter notes, he wants to expose “his inner thoughts.” “Ironically,” Bruce Waltke adds, “the fool aims to let his heart expose itself but it exposes what he did not intend vis-a-vis his folly.”^[3]

The problem with isolated thinking is that we tend to think we are right in our own eyes. In Verse 17, Solomon writes, “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” This is why God commanded judges in Deuteronomy 1:16-17, ¹⁶ “Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or his resident alien. ¹⁷ Do not show partiality when deciding a case; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” When we only listen to ourselves talk, we sound rational. But it’s when we allow others to challenge our thoughts that we realize our need to improve.

Unfortunately, with the rise of social media, it is now easier than ever to isolate and associate with people in an echo chamber. If people agree with us and confirm our bias, we like them. If they disagree with us, we cut them off. But it’s only as we allow our words to be challenged that we become a more rounded person and more like our creator.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Lord, I praise you for the wisdom you share in your Word. Thank you for being a God of community and not isolation.

Release | I release my tendencies to withdraw and separate myself when things get tough. Help me to break away from the pride that sometimes drives me to handle everything on my own. I let go of my fears and insecurities that keep me from seeking advice and sharing my burdens.