Posted on 12/14/2019 6:33:04 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge”” (Proverbs 14:16, 18).
“A wise man feareth,” he fears the consequences of bad choices, “and departeth from evil.” Here is the understanding that Job 28:28 [“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding”] is referring to. This is the absolutely best motive for life, just be afraid of the consequences of our actions. Realize once and for all that you and I will reap what we sow. Where do we possibly get off thinking that we will not?
Too often we justify our sins and kid ourselves by saying that we won’t reap for this one, but yes, we will. It is an inevitable law.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7-8).
Only a fool believes this will not happen.
“. . . but the fool rageth, and is confident,” the fool exclaims, “This is my life and I will do what I want!” Let it be noted that while the fool in Proverbs is generally speaking of the lost man that refuses to submit to God’s authority—it does not preclude believers from acting the fool. There is nothing sadder in this world than a Bible-believing fool. He knows what he ought to be doing, but he makes the choice to sin against the light. The confidence of the fool is misguided, “You got your religion—I’ve got mine!”
People are all the time building on the sand, and one day their confidence will melt like ice on a hot day. It might stand for a while, but God knows how to bring him down.
“The simple inherit folly,” connect this to verse 15 where he believes everything he hears. This is the fellow that the conmen call a mark. He is an easy pushover. You always wonder about these goofy ads that you see in magazines and wonder who are dumb enough to go for them. Well, here he is. You know that there are plenty of them because people have to pay for those ads for some wonder product that will do anything and everything.
“. . . but the prudent are crowned with knowledge,” the careful fellow. He is not soon angry, he doesn’t rush in, he’s not a man of wicked devices—but wants to do right. He is “crowned with knowledge,” he is rewarded for his patience. The man that lives for the Lord, God will show him some things.
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
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