Sayings of the Wise #19 - Unlink from the Wicked -- Stand Apart (Prov. 24:1-2)

Saying 19 | Unlink from the Wicked — Stand Apart

Proverbs 24:1–2 (NASB 1995)

“Do not be envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them;

For their minds devise violence,

And their lips talk of trouble.”

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✨ Lady Wisdom’s Lecture

Lady Wisdom stood before the gathering of women, her eyes filled with both compassion and conviction.

“Daughters, it’s not always the wicked deeds we envy — sometimes it’s their ease.
They seem bold, confident, and unbothered by conscience.
But remember this: the peace of the wicked is temporary, and the smile of sin is short-lived.”

She paused and walked slowly among them.

“The Lord is not only watching what we do — He’s watching what we desire.
‘Do not desire to be with them,’ says the Scripture, because desire turns into imitation,
and imitation leads to entanglement.”

She opened her hands gently.

“Some friendships pull us closer to the Lord; others quietly pull us away.
You don’t have to hate them — you just have to stop walking in their direction.”

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💡 Understanding the Saying

• “Do not be envious of evil men” — Don’t admire their outcomes or compare your pace to theirs.

• “Nor desire to be with them” — Avoid aligning your heart with their habits or humor.

• “For their minds devise violence” — Their thoughts plot self-serving gain, not godly peace.

• “Their lips talk of trouble” — Their words plant unrest, stirring rebellion against righteousness.

💬 Matthew Henry wrote,
“Those who would be kept from sin must keep from the occasions of it.”

💬 Charles Spurgeon added,
“The company you keep will either quicken your walk with God or quench it.”

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🌸 Lady Wisdom’s Counsel

“It’s not pride to step away from the wrong crowd — it’s protection.
Standing apart doesn’t mean standing alone.
God always places the right people in the path of the one who walks with Him.”

She smiled and said softly,

“You were made to stand out, not to blend in.
Don’t trade your peace for popularity or your calling for company.
The friends of the world may shine for a moment,
but those who walk with wisdom shine forever.”

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💭 Four Reflection Statements

Lady Wisdom handed each woman a parchment and said,
“Read each statement. See which one echoes what God is whispering to your heart today - your Primary Temperament.”

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• 🌿 1️⃣ “I’ve realized that peace with people is not worth losing peace with God. I can love others without living like them.”
  
  
• 💎 2️⃣ “I often notice the success of others and question my pace, but this passage reminded me that what’s fast isn’t always faithful.”
  
  
• 🌸 3️⃣ “I love being around people, but I’ve learned that not every crowd is my company. I choose joy with discernment.”
  
  
• 💪 4️⃣ “I used to think separation looked weak, but I now see it as strength — the power to stay aligned with my purpose.”

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🌿 Lesson Takeaway — Stand Apart to Shine Brighter

“The path of the righteous may look narrow,
but it leads to wide peace.

The crowd may laugh, but wisdom will last.

Do not envy those who seem to get ahead by crooked means.
Their gain fades fast, but your integrity will outlast it all.”

“Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them.” — Proverbs 24:1

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  Stay the course!  Encourage someone!