Tag Archives: wise

Wisdom or Foolishness?

Posted on by under Choices, Scripture

Journal 2017

The book of Proverbs often contrasts the fool with the wise. The fool doesn’t listen to knowledge, utters slander, does what is right in his own eyes, is full of wrath, doesn’t learn from discipline, is contentious, and is bound for destruction.

The wise person, obviously, portrays opposite characteristics. But is being wise the same thing as being righteous? I understand imputed righteousness, but there’s our part as well. God doesn’t declare everyone righteous—just those who have responded to His invitation—and that’s being wise. (9:10)

We are all wise at times and foolish at others, but a person’s character, like a young tree, can be bent in different directions (15:24). The more mature the tree becomes, the more hardened the trunk gets—straighter or more crooked.

Sometimes I hesitate to call myself wise—it sounds prideful. But it isn’t boasting when you are being honest about your choices. To fear the Lord is to be wise. I have chosen God. I have chosen to humble myself when I recognize pride, I try to learn, I try not to defend when hurt, I try not to slander or be contentious and to keep anger under control. My tree trunk is bent in that direction. That’s not pride—it’s observing what’s in my heart.

It is not arrogant to recognize when you are wise, but I don’t know too many people who would admit they are fools. Usually they see it at the end of their life or when they suffer the consequences of a poor decision.

All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives. (Proverbs 16:2 NET)

Avoiding Rudeness

Posted on by under Choices, Emotions, God, Scripture

Journal 2008

But some “worthless fellows” despised King Saul, brought him no gift, and said, “How can this man save us?” (I Sam.10:27)

When Samuel announced Saul would be God’s chosen king, these worthless fellows were rude and loud-mouthed. Their characters were questionable. And Saul’s response? He held his peace. He acted like he was deaf.

By today’s standards, we think it’s commendable to ignore rudeness, but I wonder—as king, would Saul have been better off disciplining these men in some way? Apparently, he didn’t know his power yet. After Saul’s first victory in battle, the people urged him to deal with the worthless fellows, but again he said no, not today. “Today is a day of deliverance.” And that day he was crowned king. Was his response wise or foolish?

Later, while at war with the Philistines, his men were scattered, and he was given explicit orders to wait a week for Samuel to come to make a sacrifice. When Sam confronted him, Saul responded, “. . . I forced myself to offer a burnt offering.” Really!? What kind of foolish statement is that?! Shades of Aaron’s “I threw the gold in the fire and out came a calf!” Contrast those statements with David who later “encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord.”

Chapter after chapter reveal stories of Saul’s poor choices and character. For 40 years, he did kingly things: He fought against Israel’s enemies and “made it worse for them” and “He did valiantly and smote the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.” But . . . we don’t remember him for his victories. We can only see his faults—which eclipse the good that he does.

So . . . I wonder . . . was Saul’s avoidance of rudeness or conflict a sign of weakness or wisdom? How best should I handle other people’s rudeness today?