Bringing Out the Best in Everyone!

(Prov 20:5 GNB) A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs. Solomon paints a vivid picture for us in a form of a parable. He explains to us that a person's true self, their inner-man, is like water in a deep well. As a subconscious form of protection most people put up a barrier that only a select few are allowed past. This is the barrier to their soul, to their most inner self, to who they really are. While God searches the heart with relative ease that is not the case for humans. Only those with true wisdom can search deep into the heart of another, bringing out those things they guard as precious.

This is the challenge of the pastors, counseling psychologists, mentors, and counselors in general. Having a one-on-one interaction with someone else, with the goal of searching deep inside of them and bringing out whatever is required at the time, takes tremendous skill. However, there is a difference between skill, gifting, and the anointing. The Father can certainly anoint someone - gracing them with supernatural ability - to be able to get out of a person whatever needs to be brought out at the time.

18th century theologian John Gill was so eloquent when commenting on this text that I decided to simply share with you what he said:

A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well: "Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at: such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it is not easily got out of them what is in them, especially in some men, who are very close and reserved. This is true of wicked men, who seek sleep to hide their counsel; and of good men, especially studious men, who have got a great deal of wisdom and knowledge in them, but not very communicative, being slow of speech, and silent in conversation."

But someone with insight can draw them out: "He will find ways and means to discover the secret designs of wicked men, whether against church or state; and, by asking proper questions, an understanding man will get out useful things from men of knowledge, the most reserved: some men must be pumped, and a good deal of pains must be taken with them, to get out anything of them, as in getting water out of a deep well, and which when got is very good; and so is that wisdom and knowledge which is gotten by an inquisitive man from another of superior knowledge, but not very diffusive of it."

So what does this mean to you? Simply put, it means that a person with divine insight can get the best out of anyone. Whether dealing with someone who is wicked or righteous, good intentioned or deceitfully conniving, a Godly graced person can go deep, like a miner, and bring out the golden nuggets the other person has buried in their soul. Are you that type of person? Can you see the good in anyone? And if you see it, can you bring it out? Can you get past a person's wayward ways long enough to help them bring out the best they have? If you have this grace, then use it, because it is much needed in the world.

Father, first of all I ask You to impart divine wisdom, insight, revelation and understanding (supernaturally) on me, so that I can see the best IN and bring the best OUT of others. I want to be an agent of positive change in the earth. You have put Your Kingdom in me. I now ask You to put me wherever You want, in order to bring about the change You desire. I look past outward failures and flaws in order to see the good every person has deep down inside of them. With Your grace I am able to bring it out so that they and others can see it, and so that true change can take place! In Jesus' name. Amen