I Pity the Fool!

I was reading through Proverbs, and a few weeks ago, this verse stood out to me:

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

A fool is someone that despises wisdom and instruction. I don't want to be a fool. Well then, what is widsom and instruction?

Job 12:12 says that "Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days." Uh-oh. Old people are wise? No way, I don't want to listen to some old person harp on things they think they know. We'll come back to that later.

Again, in Job 28:28, it says, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding." Psalm 110:10, and Proverbs 9:10 says the same thing. So wisdom is listening to old people and fearing God while turning away from evil? Yes. But it's more than just that.

Wisdom dwells with prudence and finds knowledge and discretion. (Proverbs 8:12) Taking advice and not being insolent is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10) With the humble is wisdom. (Prov. 11:2) Trusting our own minds is foolish, but walking in wisdom will deliver us. (Prov. 28:26) The world's wisdom doesn't know God. God made the wisdom of the world foolish. (1 Corinthians 1:20) Is it not a great thought that our God is the God of true wisdom?

Today's world doesn't put much stock into wisdom. In fact, it is much more accepted to be an idiot on purpose than to be smart and put God's gift of wisdom to use. I typed the word "wisdom" into Google, and the choices I got all had to do with "wisdom teeth." Does our society really think acquiring wisdom is that important? Not at all. James exhorts us that if we lack wisdom, to ask of God, who gives wisdom to all generously and without reproach. (James 1:5) Fearing the Lord and asking him for wisdom is how we begin to be wise.

Back to listening to our elders. I'll be the first to admit that I am very stubborn, and when someone older than me gives me advice, (my parents, for example) I automatically rebel and want to do the opposite. I've messed up many times in the past by being a fool, and going with the rebellious approach. (Not that I'm wise now, but from experience and reading what God has to say about it, I think I'll do things differently in the future.)

In reality, I'm barely two decades old. I haven't experienced enough to know how to make the best decisions sometimes. That's why God gave us parents, grandparents, and friends that are older. Instead of thinking they are out-dated and ridiculous, odds are they have experienced more than us, and actually do know a little about living. God gave them wisdom to help us younger people make it through this hard life. It's our choice whether we accept the wisdom, or ignore it foolishly.

From much experience of being a fool, I just wanted to share with everyone what has been on my mind about wisdom. Don't be a fool!! Listen to your elders, but most importantly pay attention to God's Word and pray about the decisions you have to make. This is how we will grow wiser.




The only picture I could think of for this was Mr. T. Lol. Sorry I couldn't help myself. If you don't get it, I'm sorry. :)