Proverbs 23:6-7
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
The above scripture is profound because it offers wisdom for dealing with deceptive individuals. Solomon explains that there are times when someone may give you permission to do something and appear completely fine with it, yet, in their heart, they secretly despise you.
The wisdom of the Lord here reveals that a person's true feelings are reflected in the private meditations of their heart. What we think reveals our true self, and those thoughts inevitably produce undeniable emotions.
Moreover, our beliefs and thoughts generate emotions. For example, if the individual Solomon warns about truly believes the one offering bread has good intentions, he will feel peace and gratitude. However, if he discerns that the host harbors evil intentions, he will experience suspicion and reluctance to accept the offer.
Our actions and emotions are not only shaped by experiences but also by what we believe. So, ask yourself: Do you truly believe that God can keep you in perfect peace if your mind is stayed on Him? (Isaiah 26:3). Reflect on this truth.
Here are some examples based on the principles above:
If you believe that God will judge those who offend you, you will feel emotions of compassion and a desire for mercy, rather than emotions of rage and a desire for retribution.
If you truly believe that refraining from defending yourself allows God to comfort you, you will resist agitation, feelings of belittlement, or the need to justify yourself. Instead, because you trust God, He will provide peace and comfort in the midst of the situation.
If you believe you can never live without lust, you will continue to cater to it, allowing it to fester in your life. However, if you believe that God can keep you from it, you will experience His power over your vessel, walking in purity.
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