Being a Loner

(Pro 18:1 KJV) Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

This is a place where I think the NASB is much more clear. Let me include that translation here:

PRO 18:1 He who separates himself seeks {his own} desire, #He quarrels against all sound wisdom. (NASB)

Are you a joiner or a loner? Some people seek to be part of a group. Some seek to have time alone. A pastor once shared an idea which I am sure was not original: Extroverts get energy from being with people, introverts are drained by it. I am more of an introvert, a loner. I can enjoy people but I have no problem being by myself. This verse and the next have some wisdom I need to be reminded of. They speak against being an isolated guru. I am one who “separates” (6504) myself. I don’t think of it as setting myself above others as much as just preferring peace and quiet.

On the positive side, I spend much of the time for worship and prayer. Part of this experience is listening and it is hard to listen when others keep distracting you. At least I find that true.

On the negative side I face the danger of thinking I have all the answers.

The world “seeks” (1245) its own “desire” (8378). We have the free will to decide what we will seek. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God. Jesus said seek and you will find. There is a lot of leeway to determine the direction of our energy. It is used fairly frequently in Proverbs.

What is your “desire” (8378)? We need to think seriously about the things Jesus said and Paul wrote. As saints, we are to have died to our own personal desires. We are supposed to be living for Jesus. How often we rationalize our way into calling our will God’s will. John Wesley made an interesting observation in his journals:

“...doubtless a pious man, but a thorough enthusiast; guided, in all his steps, not by the written word, but by his own imagination; which he calls the Spirit.”1

Too often in our Christian walk we confuse the Spirit with our desires.

1 Wesley, John. The Works of John Wesley, Volume IV, Third Edition.
Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1979, p. 50.