The Wise, The Simple, The Foolish!

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:12-18 NIV

Throughout the Proverbs we are warned about being foolish, what happens to fools, and the reward of the wise. For those of us who read and understand what we read; current events are obvious illustrations--in living color--of The Word.

The wise are those who heed instruction and seek wise counsel in all things. The wise understand what they don't know and seek those who do know before making decisions that could have adverse affects.

The simple--those who are gullible enough to believe everything they hear a person say and ignore facts and evidence to the contrary. They will inherit the just rewards of their inability to understand--facts matter.

The foolish are those who think they know everything when they actually know very little. But they will not heed sound advice and often act before thinking a matter through to understand all the possible ramifications of their actions. They are driven by ego and not by logic. They abhor facts and evidence and deride others who know facts and evidence matter. Then, after they have been publicly exposed for their foolishness, they tend to blame everyone else for what they either said or did, never accepting responsibility for what they do.

It is time for integrity and honor to return to the White House and unfortunately, since most of the GOP--president, vice-president, speaker of the house, and senate majority leader are complicit in the on-going investigation in the Russian hacking and derailing of our democracy--there's only one way to go--we need a new election to remove the taint and stench that hovers over the White House.

It has become apparent, with the barring of the American press from a meeting with Russian officials, that the president is bought and paid for and answers to Vladimir Putin.

Now, it is up to #EverydayAmericans to step up and speak out--demanding an end to the Russian influence by removing the president.

Perhaps, the wise will be able to persuade the simple to vote for an Everyday American--one who is an Everyday American with no political baggage or connections to foreign entities. We shall see!

The Wisdom of The Wise!

The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools. Proverbs 15: 7

A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;

he will not consult the wise. Proverbs 15:12

He who is wise listens,

He who is foolish, scorns and mocks.

He who receives correction earns respect,

He who mocks correction earns disdain.

He who seeks The Lord first is encouraged,

He who ignores The Lord is dismayed.

Those who praise God in the beauty of Holiness,

Are filled with hope and never despair.

Those who know--God--not just about Him,

Are blessed to be His children.

Is it wisdom or fate to speak what God says,

To obey when God speaks, and receive what God has?

The wisdom of the wise keeps flowing freely

While the ignorance of fools keeps them enslaved.

Are you wise or foolish, blessed or cursed?

Blessed Quietness!

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:17,18 NIV

We are told in other places in scripture that it is the fool or the foolish who think for their much speaking someone will be deceived into thinking they are wise. Actually, what we hear in the quietness is more precious than the noise of one who simply loves the hear the sound of their voice.

In the quiet, we can hear Holy Spirit speak and when He speaks to us, we know it is wisdom from on high. This does not mean that we cannot hear Him in the midst of a storm of foolishness, but within our spirits, we can obtain the quietness of His assurance and what a blessing that is!

Often in the midst of debating or disagreement with others, we have to allow our spirits to quiet down and hear what Holy Spirit is saying so we won't dishonor God with our actions or words. I am so glad He loves me enough to cause me to listen and hear and then obey.

For it is not enough to just hear--we hear noise all the time, some we recognize and others we may not. But if we listen--focusing on the voice who is speaking to us from within, we hear and once we hear, we should obey. The blessing that comes with obedience is priceless, but the consequence of ignoring Him, is paid with a price that many cannot pay.  There is an adage that many are familiar with in certain circles and it goes like this: "Don't let your mouth write a check your behind can't cash." In other words, we should exercise caution in speaking about things we cannot back up or handle if they fall apart.

Unfortunately, there are many people--Believers and non-believers--who tend to think that if they talk louder and are more abrasive than those to whom they are speaking, they are making an impression of their greatness. They are making an impression--but it's not of greatness, but foolishness. Any time a person feels the need to raise the decibel level of their voice above normal speaking tones in talking to either one person or a small group of people, they are making a fool of themselves. Getting loud and obnoxious is not a virtue, it is an attribute of insecurity and the more agitated they get, they louder they get and everyone can see them for who they really are.

There is another passage of scripture that says, "even a fool--when he is quiet--is esteemed wise." Abraham Lincoln put that same intent--more bluntly. "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." The blessing of quietness!

We have probably all known at least one person (maybe many) who has to be the center of attention--no matter what the discussion is--because they love the sound of their voice. And in their deluded minds, they feel they are wiser than any other and will not concede when they are wrong, but will continue to make a fool of themselves with their much talking. 

Jesus warns us about those when praying--who think because of their much talking--the long-winded prayers, they will be heard. Those who pray in this manner have never read--with understanding--that it is not how long we pray or how loud we pray that gets results, but it is --our faith to receive--what we ask for that moves God.

So a word to the wise and to the foolish--there is nothing in the noise but chaos and confusion, but in the quiet--there is a great blessing--the opportunity to hear Holy Spirit and obey.