Proverbs - Watch Out For What is First

Proverbs 18:17

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

This bit of wisdom not only works for mothers trying to sift through the muddled cries of conflict between her children but this counsel is an excellent warning for sifting through our own internal conflicts as well.  The first thought is not to be trusted.  We can find our hearts and minds rising up in response to information or a situation and conclude this is the just response.  This is not necessarily true.  It will feel like the most natural and definitely gives us a sense of direction.  We need the neighbor of the Holy Spirit to search us out and either bless and empower this response or convict and restrain us in this response.

It is natural to consider our instincts as the way we should go because they are most likely rooted in the familiar.  We, like Abraham, must be open to leaving a familiar land of response and go to a new land of reaction and response.  We, like Peter, might have to leave the boat, and walk on that which we have never walked on before.  We, like Gideon, might have to approach a battle with way less resources than we would naturally think we need.  We, like David, may have to dwell in the wilderness and still believe it is the king’s habitation.  We, like the woman with the issue of blood, may have to break through our religious and cultural mores to reach out and receive from the Lord what He has for us.  That which may seem right in our own cause, must be brought before the Judge who judges righteously and request His judgment on the matter.