THE PATH OF THE UNWISE

MEMORY VERSE: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Proverbs 3:35

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 26-30

Wisdom addresses three (3) kinds of people; namely, the simple, the scorner, and the fool. The simple believe everything. Proverbs 14:15 says: “The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well where he is going.” The Word of God says: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1 Thessalonian 5:21).” It is not rude to ask questions especially when you are in doubt. Remember, how you ask questions matter. The simple have no understanding. Proverbs 7:7 says: “And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.” Also, the simple cannot see the road ahead. Proverbs 22:3 says: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Scorners think they know everything. Proverbs 21:24 says: “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Scorners are your typical Mr or Ms. “Know It-All”, hence, they never attain wisdom. Proverbs 14:6 says: “A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.” Also, they never profit from rebuke because they get offended when they are rebuked. Proverbs 15:12 says: “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” Scorners are great trouble-makers. Proverbs 22:10 says: “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” A scorner that comes to mind is Ishmael. Genesis 21:9 says: “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.” Scorners will not go unpunished. Proverbs 21:11 says: “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.” The Bible says “when” the scorner is punished not “if” the scorner is punished.

Fools are over-confident. Proverbs 12:15 says: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Proverbs 28:26 says: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Fools hate instruction. Proverbs 1:7 says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:22 says: “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” Proverbs 23:9 says: “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Fools speak proudly. Proverbs 14:3 says: “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Fools love to fight. Proverbs 18:6-7 says: “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Fools meddle into matters that don’t concern them. Proverbs 20:3 says: “A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Proverbs 20:3 says: “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” They speak without thinking. Proverbs 18:13 says: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Fools are not helped by discipline. Proverbs 17:10 says: “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” Fools always fall. Proverbs 10:8 says: “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”

NOTE: The simple, scorner and fool will perish (and God does not want any of His children to perish). The path to take is the path of wisdom. The wise fear the Lord (Job 28:28) and depart from iniquity (Proverbs 16:6). Proverbs 3:35 says:" the wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools."

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.