Monday: The Fear of the Wise
Read Proverbs 14:1-35 again. What does it say about the wise?
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
The wise speak humbly (Prov. 14:3). The wise restrain the use of their lips. Their silent reflection is motivated by a lack of arrogant self-assurance. The wise give consideration to the other person’s ideas; therefore, the wise will take time to think through and weigh the evidence. They are also silent because they are listening, ready to learn from others.
The wise value learning and knowledge (Prov. 14:6, Prov. 14:18). It is difficult for the fool to learn, because it is hard for him to sit at the feet of a teacher; in contrast, it is easy for the wise to learn because of their humility. They will thus enjoy the experience of learning and growing. It is also this search for wisdom, for knowledge that they do not have, which makes them wise.
The wise are cautious (Prov. 14:15). The wise know that sin and evil exist. Therefore they will be careful where they walk. They will not trust their feelings and personal opinions; they will check things out and ask for advice. Yet they will always be careful about what other people say to them; they will sort out the good from the bad (1 Thess. 5:21).
The wise are calm (Prov. 14:29, Prov. 14:33). The wise can stay quiet because they do not rely on theirown ways,
but depend on above
(Prov. 14:14, NKJV). It is their faith in God that allows them to relax and exercise self-control (Isa. 30:15). It is the fear of God that gives them confidence (Prov. 14:26).
The wise are compassionate and sensitive (Prov. 14:21, Prov. 14:31). The two commandments, You shall love the LORD your God
and You shall love your neighbor,
are linked (Mark 12:30-31, NKJV). We can’t love God and at the same time treat other people poorly. The greatest expression of our faith is how we deal with others, especially those in need.
We do not realize how many of us walk by sight and not by faith. We believe the things that are seen, but do not appreciate the precious promises given us in His Word.
— Ellen G. White, Our High Calling, p. 85. What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight? How are we supposed to do that?
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I remember being in deep trouble and seeking out the council of a wise friend of mine. I poured my heart out to him and he just listened. Both of us knew that my real need was just to share the problem, not to have a solution spelled out for me.
When I was teaching mathematics and computer programming, students would often come to me with their problems and ask for help. My strategy was to always ask them to explain the problem to me as carefully as they could. Surprisingly they would often stop part way through the explanation and say, "Ah, I know what to do now!" Their verbalisation of the problem had enabled them to see the problem.
So much of wisdom is not in what you say, but in providing a listening environment for others. And it gets you into a whole lot less trouble than talking!
This is awesome and this is what knowledge plus wisdom can do for us but we must stay connected and not to be as fools.
Thanks Maurice for that comment! Certainly being able to listen requires patience and patience is a quality that the wise have indeed.
as wise christians we need to test all things and hold fast what is good but not running randomly into issues tha will create more problems tomorrow as per 1 thessalonians 1 5:21.Be blessed.
The way of the foolish is naturally where we all tend to. I am convinced and convicted that without keeping our eyes on Jesus, we will stray from the right path and easily enter the path of folly. May the Lord help us to keep our eyes on Him always "watching thereunto with all prayer and supplication..." Ephesians 6v18
My job duties require active listening. Because of the working of the Holy Spirit in my life, my ears are opened to hear the person speaking and I have a calmness of spirit that allows me to provide accurate information. I am learning how to rest in the assurance that God is with me always so that I can present my body a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to Him.
because of this lesson, i am going to make a consious effort to lisen more. i tend to talk more than i listen. i dont want to be a fool. to god be praised
Prov 14:10,16
10The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.
The reading here encourages us to respect or understand sorrow or bitterness others are going thru becos they alone understand or feel. We must be cautious how we react.
I am just coming out of an experience of acute sorrow and I got 3 types of reactions;
1. "listen" - the person simply listened without saying a word with regards the matter but only compassionately said they felt for my pain and that God equally did. They assured that God was aware and I needed to trust Him and tell Him to be in charge. They were praying with me and regularly checking on me "was just checking how u are doing". This moved me to tears and brought me on my knees
2. "advice" - the person gave encouragement and very reasonable advice which now aft healing, am reflecting on benefitting from. However, for the time of hurting, I needed kindness then rational thinking kud come later
3. "rebuke" - the person outrightly blamed me for where I was. They clearly said they were disappointed with me for even sorrowing
If even rational thinking wudnt do it, how worse, rebuke? We all as humans need others atleast to "recognise" the pain; just to note it that we see they are in pain and we are sorry abt that. Then let's bring the picture of Christ, being the one to carry their burdens.
V16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident.
The "fear" of the wise, here, is such us to prevent or rescue us from speaking or doing evil and hence let God down. With this, even in our "listening" to others or wen faced with controversial issues, we will apply the "fear" by seeking God on wat we ought to say if we need to.
There are times wen we will need to "shy away" or "flee" from directly engaging in certain subjects but simply offer our presence and listening ear forever or until such a time as God directs us. It all must be guided by "does it please God"?
I read more of the EGW comments that were posted in the lesson's reference area on SSNet. I'm convicted and affected by two more statements:
1) ". . . we cannot dishonor God more decidedly than by showing that we distrust what He says."
2) "Never will He betray one who trusts in Him as a child trusts in its parents."
How much prayer we need, those that didn't blindly trust our parents as children. We didn't have a 'childlike faith' and therefore have a hard time putting the unknown toward a Savior and God.
Thank you for sharing this. I have learned through years of disappointment not to trust my earthly father and now I am just beginning to see how this is impacting me being able to trust my Heavenly Father. It's time for me to pray earnestly for the healing of my heart...
Hi Marie, how difficult it must be for you not having a loving father. It might be helpful to think of the other word pictures Jesus uses to describe his love and care for us. Like the Good Shepherd, or the hen with the chickens under her wings, or even the Good Samaritan. Remember Jesus understands your situation he came to earth to His special people looking for their love and they rejected Him and crucified Him, so He turned to others who were happy to love Him and be with Him.
Thank you, Shirley, for your thoughtful and encouraging words!