Aug 25, 2010
I Pity the Fool!
Posted by Michael Howarth in Gospel Living | Comments (4)
The book of proverbs has a lot to say that is practical and applicable to everyday life. Some even read it daily, there are 31 chapters so it fits well to read a chapter per day monthly. Proverbs is a book full of little sayings of wisdom: some are funny, some confusing, some are sobering, and all of them are good. There are a number of topics that are repeated throughout the book but one of the main themes in Proverbs is the contrast between the foolish and the wise, the proud and the humble. Look at chapter 26:3-12, read the whole progression and you'll see something eye opening:
[3] A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
[4] Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
[5] Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
[6] Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
[7] Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
[8] Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
[9] Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
[10] Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
[11] Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
[12] Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The fool gets beat up pretty good in these verses but look look at verse 12, what does this say about the proud man, the man who is wise in his own eyes?
Someone who lacks common sense or self control can always learn, their path will be more difficult for sure, but they have hope. But the one who is "wise in his own eyes" is surely headed for disaster. There is an unbelievable amount of pride in all of us. How old are you? How old am I? Yet we often say, mostly with our actions and sometimes even with our words, that we are smarter than the One who has existed eternally. There is a huge quiet assumption that permeates our society: we're getting smarter and with enough time we can fix our brokenness. If we can educate enough, fund enough, legislate enough, read enough and exercise enough, someday through the power of our will we will fix this mess. But the same problem exists, it’s in our hearts. When we are "wise in our own eyes" it blinds us to this reality; this is why pride is so dangerous. "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" Proverbs 16:18
We need God, he defines our existence, he provides boundaries that bring joy and freedom. More money, more broadband, more talent, more energy, more knowledge more knowlegde more knowledge are not the solution.
Knowledge and wisdom are not synonyms.
In fact, knowledge without wisdom in dangerous.
Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. -Proverbs 9:10
Posted by Michael Howarth in Gospel Living
