INSIGHT FOR IMPACT (2)

“One who has INSIGHT is a FOUNTAIN of LIFE, but the instruction of the foolish is folly” – Proverbs 16:22 (CEB)

God is the Source of the Fountain of INSIGHT for IMPACT: “One who has INSIGHT is a FOUNTAIN of LIFE, but the instruction of the foolish is folly” (Pro.16:22, Common English Bible). This infers that like a fountain, Insight will be a constant provision for living in this world. Insight is an indispensable Instrument for a positively impactful life. For greater clarity, let’s examine some versions of Proverbs 16:22:

“UNDERSTANDING is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly” (New King James Version).

“WISDOM is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools” (New Revised Standard).

“WISDOM is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time” (Good News Translation)

“PRUDENCE is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools” (New International Version).

“DISCRETION is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools” (New Living Translation)

“TRUE INTELLIGENCE is a spring of fresh water, while fools sweat it out the hard way” (The Message Bible).

“GOOD SENSE is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly” (English Standard Version).

In essence, “INSIGHT” is like an umbrella word for a variety of spiritual virtues including: Understanding, Wisdom, Prudence, Discretion, True Intelligence, and Good Sense. These reflect the multifaceted expressions of Insight that shall be examined in subsequent devotionals. It’s important to know that although Insight is an Inside virtue, it does not originate from Man or the flesh. Insight is a gift from God: “But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding” (Job 32:8). To ascribe insight to self is to slide into pride; and “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (v.18). A haughty spirit is an attitude that communicates superiority over other people, and it usually precedes a fall!

God is ardently opposed to the proud, but He helps the humble: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (Jam.4:6b; 1Pet.5:5b). Pride opposes the first principle of Wisdom – the Fear of the Lord; hence it hinders Insight. In contrast, Humility enhances Insight: “Better to be a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud” (v.19). That is, a humble life among the lowly is better than having reward among the proud. God is set against the proud, and it is never good to join those whom God is set against. A notable sign of Humility is Obedience to God: “He who heeds the Word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he” (v.20).

Insight for Impact thrives on the platform of Humility and Obedience, leading into unending Doors of Goodness!