Do Opposites Attract?

Usually, this comes as a statement: "Opposites attract!" In the world of psychology, some research proves this true. But in the biblical world, the opposite is true - opposites repel. What do I mean? Follow me on this.

Solomon, one of, if not the wisest man in the Old Testament, wrote most of the book of Proverbs, where we find many opposites and much wisdom. These opposite verses are known in the Hebrew language as antithetical parallelism. The purpose is to show a contrast in thoughts and in ideas, making a strong point that the two don’t go together. The idea often starts with a noun, which leads to the verb. For example, here is one phrase: Integrity guides, but perversity leads to destruction.

Here are eight for us to examine:

~The humble are wise, but the prideful bring shame.

~Blessings exalt, but wickedness overthrows.

~Wisdom brings peace, but the perverse despise.

~Counsel brings safety; no counsel brings failure.

~A gracious person brings honor, but a cruel person brings trouble.

~ Mercy yields good, but the merciless brings bad.

~The righteous have a good reward, but the evildoer has death.

~The blameless is a delight and is delivered, but the wicked is punished.

All of these come from Proverbs 11.

I think we often go throughout life aware of these opposites, but rarely examine whether they are in our lives. Let’s take one of these. Counsel brings safety, but no counsel brings failure. Have you ever wanted to do something so bad and felt compelled to the point you did not take time to get counsel? Or the little bit of counsel you hastily gained, you ignored. It is no wonder failure followed. I am not preaching, I am speaking from experience. We think we know what is good or even best for us, but only God really knows. And yes, He will send us wise counsel if we will only listen.

In our story, The R.A.C.E., the character, Maverick, not only doesn’t get advice, but she thinks she knows better. Let’s look at where she is today in the thick of things.

Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing. Please leave me some comments, and join me next Sunday for another “Time With The Father.”

And remember - the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

Dr. Michele