READ: Proverbs 3:21-22, 5:23, 9:13, 14:24, 15:14, 24:9, 26:11, 28:13
In seeking to be
a wise person, half of the battle is avoiding that which is counter to wisdom.
According to the book of Proverbs “folly” is what we must steer clear of. Just
as wisdom cries out for our attention, so too does folly! “The woman
Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge
(9:13). We are often left with a choice, to give in to wisdom or folly. A
person who does well in life (not perfectly, but prospers in spite of difficult
circumstances) more often than not chooses to follow
wisdom. That’s why we’re told to, “preserve sound judgment and discernment”
(3:21-22). To “preserve” something is to guard it, to be intentional about this
“thing”. Put another way, we must be intentionally wise!
Of
course, we’ll make mistakes in life. This is inevitable! Even on this, Proverbs
speaks! “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (26:11).
Proverbs uses a very gross picture to emphasize that while we’ll make errors,
the true fool is the one who continues to repeat the same mistakes over and
over again. The alternative to this
foolishness is also highlighted in Proverbs . . . “he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but
whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (28:13).
As
we consider both wisdom and folly, we’re reminded of the life of Solomon.
Solomon is acknowledged as the author of the majority of the sayings in the
book of Proverbs. We know from elsewhere in the Bible that God gave him great
wisdom upon his request. However, Solomon began to compromise as his life moved
on and though he increased in age, he didn’t necessarily increase in wisdom.
This reminds us once again that to be a wise person has little to do with how much
we know, but more with what we do. There is a lot of pressure in this world to
choose that which is foolish. May we be stronger than Solomon was throughout
his life, with God’s help!
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Spend
some time reviewing some of the foolish things you’ve done over the years and
the consequences that resulted. Thank God for His mercy, as you’ve sought to
move on from such choices. Also listen in prayer – God, is there anything else
that I still need to make right?
2.
Ask
God to show you if there are any decisions you’re about to make, or actions
you’re about to take, that would be unwise. If He reveals anything, ask Him to
begin to show you an alternative plan.
