Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Proverbs 3:29 NKJV People were made to be with people. People are not meant to be alone, living in isolation. For when they are alone they are attacked and weakened.
We need others for protection. We need each other for balance. We need others in our life to help us grow. We need others for the best return on our efforts.
Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: We are more creative and capable of much bigger things together. Working together causes us to bring out the God-given gifts in each other.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! We all fall at some point. Therefore, we need someone on our side to pick us up and set us on the right path again.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? We need others near us to keep us warm. Not just physically warm, but spiritually warm as well. By our selves we can’t stay warm. Picture single hot coal removed from a fire. At first is hot, but over time it looses its heat. Eventually, it will no longer be on fire because it wasn’t near the other coals keeping it lit.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. This may represent more than the physical as well. When we are alone, we lack someone speaking truth into our lives. Without truth, we are tempted to believe lies and our minds are easily overpowered by worldly thoughts, lustful thoughts and prideful self-centered thinking. This is exactly where our enemy wants us. However, having someone near can quickly squelch those ungodly thoughts and bring us near the heart of God.
God wants us to be with other people. His plan is not carried out in isolation. Granted you might feel like doing evil to a grumpy, mean neighbor, but just think. Maybe he doesn’t have someone in his life. Maybe that someone is you.
Lord forgive us when we so easily want to do harm than good. Grow us up in you’re him image so we learn to live together with others. Equip us this day for what lie ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.
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