A FOOL'S DESPERATE NEED FOR JESUS

November 27, 2017

A FOOL'S DESPERATE NEED FOR JESUS

Proverbs 26:1–12

Emily Baxter

Central Truth

Fools seek to control their own lives and listen to their own wisdom. The wise fear God and obey His instruction, which is the only source of wisdom and peace.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
(Proverbs 26:12)

1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    a curse that is causeless does not alight.
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.^{1

26:10
Or hires a fool or passersby}
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.

Footnotes

[1] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby

At first glance, I thought I was no longer a fool. As I read the passage in Proverbs, I celebrated all the foolish behaviors I’d put behind me from my youth: lunch table gossip in junior high, following the crowd in high school, and the bondage of comparing myself to others during my college years. I trusted Jesus as a child and found myself grateful for so many of the foolish behaviors He had helped me overcome.

Then I reflected on the passage again. Have I really set aside my foolish ways? What does a grown-up fool look like anyway? Verse 12 caused me to pause. Am I being wise in my own eyes?

As an adult, I like taking control of my own life—which is in direct opposition to seeking the wisdom of God. When I try to control my own life, I am listening to my own wisdom and putting myself on the throne. Ironically, it was my on-going battle with anxiety that exposed the issue.

When I tried to control my own life and my own actions, I didn’t leave room to listen to what God had to say. God has called us to fear him (Proverbs 1:7) and obey His instruction as it is the only source of wisdom and peace.

God is making Himself perfectly clear on this one. As much as I strive in my humanity to avoid being seen as a fool, Scripture reminds me that it is actually better to be a fool than to have an unteachable spirit. Grown-up fools, then, are those who lack a teachable heart and listen to their own wisdom. Having tried doing it my way, trust me when I tell you, it only leads to anxiety.

Seeking the wisdom of God leads to a life of peace, faith, and joy. Lord, help me release my control, seek Your wisdom, and be obedient to Your ways.

1. Celebrate a time when you have sought God’s wisdom in your life.

2. Do you pause to consider what the Lord wants in your life? Or do you impulsively respond to your own ideas?

3. What area(s) of your life are you trying to control? How can you allow the Lord to control this part of your life?

4. Consider talking to your community about what the Lord has revealed to you today.