Fight Isolation, Lean Into Community
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. 2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
Proverbs 18:1-3 (ESV)
It’s striking to me the order that these verses appear. And I believe it speaks to the human condition. These verses reveal not only the condition that exists in our hearts, but also the result that comes socially from wickedness.
Verse 3 says, “When wickedness comes, contempt comes also…”
Contempt is defined as the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile or worthless; disdain; scorn. It’s speaking to the condition of our hearts when we have given in to wickedness.
Verse 3 goes on to say, “…and with dishonor comes disgrace.”
Dishonor and disgrace are referring to a loss of honor in the eyes of people around you who see your behavior and the result of the condition of your heart.
Luke 6:45 tells us that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
There is a very clear progression in these passages as you can see. A very fast way to dishonor and disgrace is to isolate yourself in such a way as to reject all counsel around you because you are set on your opinion being right!
The Word of God calls this foolishness and it says it leads to wickedness, contempt, dishonor and disgrace. So do yourself, your families, your teams and your churches a favor. Press into community and relationship with people around you.
If you are a worship leader and you are reading this, get into relationship with other worship leaders in your city! Maybe starting a Worship Cohort would be a good way for you to do that! Maybe you just want to grab lunch with some other people who do what you do.
Don’t neglect the wisdom that is out there for you to attain by being vulnerable enough to ask men, if you’re a man, and women if you are a woman, who are older or more experienced than you for insight and help. Ask other people for resources that can further your understanding of the Gospel and your call as a worship leader!
If you’re interested in starting a Cohort in your city, make sure you check out our Networks page first to see if there’s one in your city. If not, then head over to our Start a Network page and shoot us an email.
We’d love to connect with and help get a Cohort and community started in your city!
This article originally appeared here.
