Good Day to you my Brothers and Sisters, as we walk together with Christ Jesus.
As we move through the Book of Proverbs, we come to Proverb 14. Among the treasure of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, we see a clear comparison between a foolish person, and a prudent person.
Prudence is a virtue that brings great success in life. Webster defines a prudent person as one who exercises sound judgment in practical matters. Who is cautious in conduct; not rash. One who manages carefully. One who is sensible and discerning.
Foolishness usually brings failure. Webster defines foolish as one who is silly, simple, unwise, ridiculous. has bad judgment, is crafty, and without good sense.
Verse 7 of this Proverb says: “Stay away from a foolish man, (or woman), for you will not find knowledge on their lips.” Verse 8 says: “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” Verse 15 says: “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent person gives thought to their steps.”
Verse 16 says: “A wise person reveres and greatly respects the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.” Verse 17 says: “A quick tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.”
When the Lord returned to heaven, He said, “Go into the world. Make disciples. Teach them to obey what I have commanded you to do.” What He had commanded us to do was to love the Lord with all of our heart soul, mind and body, to love one another as we loved ourselves, and to show the way home by believing in Him.
Very simple. Very life changing. But we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to get it done. We must let the Lord lead us each day in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding by His love.
When we have someone in our life that is displaying the attributes of one who is foolish, we must be prudent in how we work with that person. And as we look at the points made by the Psalmist, and realize what we are dealing with, we must carefully give thought to our ways.
We are told to stay away, in other words do not follow their ways, or listen to their way of living life lest we get ensnared in it. We are told they are deceptive, and crafty. They think they can fool anyone, and talk their way out of anything. They ultimately become hated.
They need Christ. They need the Holy Spirit living in them – working in their lives. They need the Word. “For it is living and active. Sharper than a double edged sword it penetrates to dividing soul, and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. (Jesus is the Word.) Christ Jesus died for them, because Father wants them in the kingdom. He has called us to lead them to Him in love.
Therefore we pray diligently for them. Often we do not want to because of their foolish actions toward us, and words that hurt us, but we must do so daily. We must intercede for them in prayer even though they have no idea we are doing so.
We must not be led astray by them, simply because they are in our lives and we go along to get along, but rather we are constantly modeling wisdom, and sound judgment – doing things that are the right things to do.
When we show that we care about them, but will always follow the right path, they will be touched by the Lord and ultimately transformed. It is not our job to change them, that is the Lords. Our job is to be prudent, and to show what that looks like in Christ Jesus.
Have a wonderful day, God’s Beloveds. Let nothing rob you of who you are. You are a child of God that is on a journey through this world. Growing, loving, and helping others as you go. You are greatly Blessed, highly Favored, and Deeply Loved.
Blessings and love,
Poppa B
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line