Tag: Wisdom

Mother playing peekaboo with smiling toddler in a playroom

Marching Confidently in the Wrong Direction

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“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief. The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good one, what his deeds deserve. The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.” (Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Kids are easy to fool. They’ll believe just about anything. You can tell them something utterly silly, and they will take you entirely seriously. On the one hand, this can be fun if you are playing a harmless joke on them. On the other hand, you have to be very careful with it because you don’t want to accidentally damage their trust or push them toward cynicism. The better option if you are going to have some fun with it is to let them in on the joke quickly and use the playful moment to teach them a serious lesson. It’s unwise to rush into things. It’s always better to evaluate carefully and move forward with discernment. This is something Solomon points us to at the end of this next set of proverbs. Let’s take a look.

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Person reviewing paperwork at a coffee table as another approaches from the kitchen

Looking Without Looking

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“A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive. Stay away from a foolish person; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them. Fools mock at making reparation, but there is goodwill among the upright. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider shares in its joy.” (Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Have you ever been around someone who loved to ask questions, but didn’t really want the answers. The questions they asked weren’t a means of gaining knowledge or understanding or wisdom, they were a tool for tearing down the beliefs of others. Such a person isn’t going to be able to find wisdom even if they are genuinely seeking it. Mocking can become such a habit like this that you start to miss even obvious chances to grow. This is the kind of person Solomon is talking about at the beginning of this next group of proverbs. Let’s join him as he goes.

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Investor reviewing sustainability charts and financial news at a desk

Building Wisely

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“Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. Whoever lives with integrity fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises him. The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline, but the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox. An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness utters lies.” (Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Christians are known for all kinds of things. Some of them are pretty good things. Others…not so much. In fact, culturally speaking, thanks to our own foolish efforts combined with the work of an enemy who works overtime to discredit us, we’re probably known more for the not so good things than the good ones. This is not what Jesus envisioned for His followers. He gave us one thing and one thing only that should be our primary identifier: love. This was a revolutionary idea, but it wasn’t necessarily a new one in terms of the reputation God intended for His people to have. Let’s talk about that and some other ideas as we get into the first set of proverbs in chapter 14 today.

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Mother gently comforting a young boy seated beside her in a living room

Disciplining for Life

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“Disaster pursues sinners, but good rewards the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away. The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently. A righteous person eats until he is satisfied, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.” (Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Disciplining kids is tough. As a parent, you always wonder whether you are doing right. Were you tough enough to match the misdeed? Too tough? What exactly is an effective punishment or even merely a consequence in light of what they did? Is that even the right way to think about it. Of course, this is all much easier when it comes to other people’s kids. Then you always know with perfect clarity and discernment what they should have done. It’s just with your own kids that it becomes challenging for some reason. But what is clear is that you have to do it. Not disciplining them at all isn’t an option if you want them to turn out even remotely well. Solomon agrees. Let’s talk about this and a few other matters as we finish up chapter 13 today.

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Group of young adults standing on a park path beside graffiti and litter

Good Friends Matter

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“A wicked envoy falls into trouble, but a trustworthy courier brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore discipline, but the one who accepts correction will be honored. Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste, but to turn from evil is detestable to fools. The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

One of the best observations about friendship I’ve ever heard was the big idea of a sermon: Your friends will determine the direction and quality of your life. That, as they say, will preach. The people we choose to surround ourselves with will unavoidably have an impact on our lives. And there’s a difference between people who are simply around us and people we allow to have access to our lives. It is the ones to whom we give access who will have the greatest impact. These people we need to choose carefully. Solomon agrees. Let’s talk about it.

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