Proverbs Devotion - Day 12

While Proverbs is about wisdom, it also teaches how not to be a fool or foolish. In verse 15, we meet such one. The way of the fool is “right in his own eyes”. Most of the time, when “way” is used in Scripture, it has the meaning of “pattern of living”. It involves one’s beliefs, thoughts, actions. We find out that a fool is one who thinks the way he is living, thinking, believing, and acting is right. But all the while, he’s only interested in his own opinion and his own viewpoint. This is a dangerous way to live! We’ve all known people who think they are the smartest person in the room or that no one else can provide them any information or help. What is even more sad are those who are addicted or singular focused on substances or a lifestyle that leads to self-destruction. It is truly sad to see someone who leads themselves to such an end. 

Instead, “a wise man listens to advice.” Generally speaking, the difference begins with a person who is humble enough to listen to advice. Even if the wise man has the “right” answer, what truly makes him wise is to be open and teachable to gain insight from others. He wants to make the right decision, not just what he wants to do. The book of Judges was a time of everyone “doing what is right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6) and it was a time full of sin, bad decision, and destruction. So wisdom is being open to listening, humble enough to admit it, and even teachable if he needs to alter his plans. 

Taking the meaning to an overall spiritual application, thankfully, God has provided His people with wise counsel to help us be wise men and women. First, believers are given the Spirit to indwell us and help us. James gives us the promise that, if we lack wisdom, we can pray and ask God and He will provide (James 1:5). What is amazing about this verse is that, if we ask, James says that God will “generously” give wisdom “without reproach.” Meaning God will never get agitated with our request for wisdom and He will gladly and abundantly bless us with His wisdom. Sometimes it is easy for us to think something is too small to pray about, but James says that God will never tire of granting us wisdom. So, in our decisions and circumstances, our first line should always be to seek wisdom from the Lord, trusting that He hears and desires to give us His wisdom to help us. 

Second, we are given His word. This is a great source of wisdom. Proverbs provide wisdom but from Genesis to Revelation, we can learn about who God is, what Christ has done for us, how we can receive salvation, and then live as a response to His grace. Jesus said “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) God’s word should be the authority in our life. We should humble our hearts to seek what His word says and then obey what it says. Paul reminds us that the Scripture is given so “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17) So, that should be the first place that we look for advice. 

Thirdly, God also gives us other godly people. This is a key distinction. We should listen to godly people who are seeking to honor the Lord as well. Do not listen to the foolish who think they are wise in their own eyes, but rather the wise who also has the Scripture as their authority and he or she is looking to honor God as well. Only take advice from someone who meets that criteria. God makes us a part of His family so that He can use us to serve one another and the world as a whole. Paul demonstrates what our communication with each other should look like: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:12-17) Christians are not called to do life alone. We are saved and made a part of God’s family. He gives us Himself, His word, and His family members to help us. We’d do well to follow this Proverb, knowing that we have great these great gifts to help us so we may never go the way of the fool again.