Daily Proverbs with Adam Qadmon
Adam Qadmon dives into the book of Proverbs. Our prayer is that you take a quick moment to read the Proverb and then listen to the podcast for that day. Together we explore how ancient wisdom is still very much alive.
John & Kim
Daily Proverbs with Adam Qadmon
Proverbs 16:1-3 - Beyond Self-Deception
The gap between our self-perception and divine reality stands at the heart of our spiritual journey. This Deep Dive explores a profound text that immediately confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: while we excel at justifying ourselves, a higher perspective sees our true intentions with perfect clarity.
We unpack the human tendency to construct convenient narratives around our failings. When we forget important responsibilities, we weren't careless—we were simply overwhelmed. When we fail to follow through, it wasn't laziness—we genuinely needed rest. These self-protective stories serve us well in daily life but falter when measured against divine standards. As the text states, "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes. But the Lord weighs the spirits."
What makes God's perspective different? Unlike human interactions where ambiguity provides cover, the divine standard comes with clear expectations and provided resources. Most significantly, this perspective sees beyond our actions to our raw intentions—the genuine "why" behind what we do and say. This creates a transparency we can't escape, challenging us to develop rigorous honesty with ourselves.
The conversation culminates in a powerful question: How often do we choose the comfort of feeling justified over the sometimes difficult work of genuine self-awareness? What might transform in our spiritual lives if we consistently held our inner motivations to that more demanding, honest light? Join us as we explore the path beyond self-deception toward authentic spiritual growth.
Proverbs 16:1-3
Genesis 5:2
Welcome back to the Deep Dive. Today we're exploring a really interesting piece from a text dated July 24th. It sort of gets into this whole idea of how we justify things to ourselves versus maybe how things really are from a higher perspective. Our mission really is to unpack that contrast.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely. And the text it kind of throws you right in, doesn't it? It starts the preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord, and then all the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes. But the Lord waiteth the spirits. So boom, right, there you've got the setup. Our view versus this deeper weighing.
Speaker 1:It's so relatable though, that clean in his own eyes bit. I mean, we're experts at explaining things away, aren't we? You forget something. You were busy, a bit lazy. Oh, you needed rest. We always have an excuse.
Speaker 2:We do, we construct these narratives, you know, to make ourselves feel OK, maybe convince others too, that our motives were pure or at least understandable.
Speaker 1:But this text, immediately flags that up. It says this self-excuse thing works Well most of the time, Right, Except in the case of God. It says, which makes you pause why the exception? What's different there?
Speaker 2:Well, the text implies there's a different standard in play. It talks about commandments, rules Basically, expectations have been set and, crucially, it mentions we've been given every possible help, so it's not like we're left completely in the dark or without resources.
Speaker 1:Ah, I see. So the idea is, if the standards are clear and help is available, maybe the usual excuses don't quite fly. There's an expectation of like, honest dealing.
Speaker 2:That seems to be the implication, because it follows up saying attempts to make excuses or, you know, deceive, they'll be seen for what they are. God sees us as we really are. It suggests a kind of transparency, whether we like it or not.
Speaker 1:And it's not just about catching us out on actions, is it? It goes deeper. The text says he knows not only our words but the intentions of our words. That's quite something.
Speaker 2:It is, and he sees not only the things we do, but he knows why we do them. So it's the whole picture, the outward stuff and the inner motivation, the why Our internal story might smooth things over, but this perspective sees the raw intention.
Speaker 1:So if our intentions aren't aligned with this higher standard, what then?
Speaker 2:Well, the text suggests that unless we actively choose to commit ourselves to that higher purpose it uses the phrase commit our lives to God Our default setting is basically to follow our own desires, our own will, and this ties into this idea of, you know, future accountability.
Speaker 1:Right. That part about being called to account for our lives Sounds pretty serious, and it mentions a specific outcome only for those who have truly sought to follow God's will. It really fits the focus on genuine inner alignment, not just going through the motions.
Speaker 2:Exactly which brings us to the core message. Really, it's a call for some honest self-reflection, to place self aside, as it says, and really open our hearts to look properly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that prayer included is quite direct about it, isn't it? Lord, you see into my very soul. Please help me to be honest with you, with others and with myself. It's asking for help to see clearly.
Speaker 2:And cleanse my spirit so that I might turn from those things which are an abomination in your sight. Make me the person you want me to be, amen.
Speaker 1:It acknowledges that potential for self-deception and asks for transformation, really for that inner cleansing so, wrapping it up, this passage from july 24th is really pushing us towards rigorous honesty, to look past our own convenient stories and examine our intentions against well a divine standard.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it suggests true understanding isn't just about justifying ourselves, but about seeing our inner workings clearly.
Speaker 1:It leaves you thinking, though how often do we actually choose feeling justified over? You know the sometimes tough work of real self-awareness.
Speaker 2:That's the question, isn't it? What might change if we consistently try to hold our inner motivations to that more demanding, honest light, something to mull over?