Proverbs 12:8 ESV
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A8&version=ESV]
Men of twisted minds seem to be the most successful sort. After all, who walks the halls of power? Who squabbles over the ‘Top Ten Wealthiest ____ in the World’ spots? Who do all men know and pay attention to? The corruption and moral decrepitude of the successful is so much common knowledge as to be nearly amusing.
In the end, though, these twisted men are despised. Feared, yes, honored, perhaps, obeyed, often, but above all they are despised. Thus, politicians feel the sting of a thousand jokes built upon one single premise, that they are corrupt people who can’t be expected to do much good unless you very carefully prick and prod them in that direction. Therefore, nobody is surprised when they hear yet another big-name actor is part of a scandalous affair whether sexual or monetary or political. In fact, it’s nearly expected, an accepted part of a life cycle for the famous.
The man of good sense, on the other hand, may never grown famous. He may never be a household name, save in some exceptional circumstances of God’s providence. He may never be known by more than a few friends and a few more acquaintances. How they know him, though, differs so greatly in quality from how the man of twisted mind is known as to entirely eclipse the difference in quantity.
The man of good sense is known by the consistent actions of his character as a man of honor, dependable and honest, whose decisions are well-considered and prudent. He can be trusted to walk the narrow path, so that what is given to him he will repay and that which he enters into prospers. Even when the world quashes his best efforts, his character is such that he can rebuild without turning towards vice.
The people around this man will know him thus. They will remember his good sense, his honor, and his prudence. To them he will become a beacon, to be admired and imitated. Perhaps he will be forgotten in two generations, perhaps not, but so long as his life continues, men know him as he is, a man worthy of respect.
The dichotomy of this verse is simple: the man of twisted mind may be remembered, but he will be remembered always with derision and disgust; the man of good sense may not be remembered, but where he is, all who know him will honor his name in their hearts.
God bless.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
