FOOLISH FOLLY VS. FOUNDATIONAL WARFARE

November 20, 2017

FOOLISH FOLLY VS. FOUNDATIONAL WARFARE

Proverbs 24:1–9

Scott Bodell

Central Truth

Christ is the center and foundation of a good life. We must wage war against our own sin to protect it.

By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
(Proverbs 24:3-4)

1 Be not envious of evil men,
nor desire to be with them,
2 for their hearts devise violence,
and their lips talk of trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built,
    and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool;
    in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8 Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9 The devising^{1

24:9
Or scheming} of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

Footnotes

[1] 24:9 Or scheming

Everyone has, at some time, randomly opened the Bible hoping to find “what the Lord wants to show me today.” In a way, I did that for this devotional. I invited leadership to choose my passage and just see where the Lord wanted me to jump in. Wow! This passage chose me. So please bear with me.

About ten years ago, the Lord called me out of a comfortable faith and challenged me through a Bible study ministry at Watermark called Men’s Summit. At the time, verses 1 and 2 of today’s passage fit me pretty well (see also Titus 3:3). In Summit each week, we memorized an assigned passage and discussed its relevance and application in our lives. It was here the Lord called me to start asking, “What does the Bible say about _________?” The answers to these questions explored concepts, such as “fear of the Lord” (Psalm 111:10). And questions about wisdom led me to James 1:5, 3:13 (NIV) and finally back to today's featured passage.

OK, Lord, I hear you! The house is my life! My knowledge and understanding of biblical truth are my foundation! And if I trust Christ to be that foundation and source of knowledge, my house (my life) will be filled with everything I need.

I’ve learned that wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit make me stronger and better equipped to declare war against sin in my life (2 Corinthians 10:5). Through study of the Word, prayer, and sharing and bearing burdens with my community, that war still rages. But I’m never, ever fighting alone.

But before I act like I’ve figured all this out, I must confess. Verses 7-9 showed me something new. When I isolate in my sins, I’m once again that old fool who should “not open his mouth,” moving away from the wisdom I’ve known. And I can’t just say, “I’m an idiot. Love me anyway.” The final verse of this passage convicts me to man up, avoid sinful folly (laziness), and get back to my own war against sin.

1. The embedded scriptural references in the devotional are part of my path to improved understanding. List the Scripture speaking to you where you are in your walk with Christ, and share your story today. If you’re new to the Bible, let’s sit down together and see where the Lord wants to take you. I trust that I will learn as much as you.

2. Do you understand the difference between your knowledge and the wisdom that guides your decisions—at work, in relationships, in parenting, etc.? Is your house built on the right foundation?

3. What are the sins you fight as you “wage your own war”? Have you called them out as enemies and declared real war? Avoidance is sinful folly. Join the fight. Bring your personal battles, and go to war with us.

4. Is true wisdom surrounding you with “an abundance of counselors” who also fight their own wars against sin? If your counselors “claim to be without sin, [they] deceive [themselves] and the truth is not in [them].” (1 John 1:8, NIV) Check out verse 9 that follows.