| "Don't those who devise evil go astray? But kindness and truth shall be established for those who devise good." (Mishlei 14:22)
In this passage, King Solomon, the wisest of all men, reveals a spiritual law regarding the power of the human imagination. He teaches us that our thoughts are not private; they are the blueprints for our future reality.
The Path of the Deceiver
A person who conspires against others has already "gone astray" before they even take their first step. They fall into the trap of believing that by obsessively visualizing another’s failure, they can force that failure into existence. However, the Metzudas Dovid explains that this is a critical error in judgment. HaShem is the Master of Thoughts; He perceives the negative energy being cultivated and causes it to "boomerang." Like Haman, who was so consumed with the gallows he built for Mordechai that he failed to see his own neck sliding into the noose, the "deviser of evil" eventually becomes the victim of their own architecture.
The Power of the "Good Eye"
Conversely, the person who "devises good"—who spends their mental energy wishing for the success and happiness of others—unlocks a Divine cycle of blessing. - Kindness: Their positive thoughts act as a magnet, drawing HaShem’s Chessed (Kindness) down upon them.
- Truth: The good they envisioned for their friend becomes "established truth." It doesn't remain a mere wish; HaShem ensures those positive thoughts blossom into physical reality.
When you hope for your friend to be blessed, HaShem views you as a partner in His goodness, and He blesses the "planner" along with the "recipient."
Moral: Guarding the Mind As human beings, we often struggle to maintain a purely positive mindset. However, once we realize that our thoughts are "seeds" that we will eventually have to eat the fruit of, we become far more careful about what we plant.
Today's Takeaway
- The Pivot: The next time a jealous or negative thought about another person enters your mind, consciously pivot. Replace it with a specific "good plan" for them.
- The Result: Realize that by "devising good" for your neighbor, you are actually building a palace of peace and joy for your own soul to inhabit.
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Life Advice – עצת חיים
You are welcome to ask any question and receive a personal, private response from Rabbi Zvi Miller.
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