A Change for the Worse
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? -Proverbs 24:21-22
Here we see some practical advice concerning contentment. We are told to “meddle not with them that are given to change.” That is, don’t get involved in the affairs of those that are continually seeking an upheaval, a revolution, or any sort of uprising. But even though these verses were originally meant in a political sense: to submit to God-given authorities over us, we can also apply the principles to many other areas of life; and the message is clear: stay away!
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. -Exodus 23:7
Chances are most of us haven’t been part of a major political rebellion of any sort. (Those of us living in the United States have been blessed with a mostly peaceful and stable government structure with a minimum of “revolutions” in the past 225+ years, excepting the civil war.)
But some areas where we probably will encounter “those that are given to change” would be in our employment, or in our family, or in our church. You know the type: restless, discontent, always complaining, and always seeking to change things.
- In a job, a worker like this would most likely not last very long: stay away.
- In a marriage, a potential spouse like this would most likely have trouble remaining faithful: stay away.
- In church, a parishioner like this would most likely leave after a short time: stay away.
In nearly every area of life, even in imperfect circumstances, those that show patience and longsuffering are—in the long run—happier than those that tend to bounce around and go from discontentment to discontentment.
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. -Proverbs 22:24-25
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