Tag: wisdom

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Wisdom comments on companionship.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Solomon observes something sad; a man. Alone. Without child or brother. This strikes a nerve whether it’s in ancient days or modern times. Alone is not good, it has never been good. Yet, alone has become the preferred path for so many people. The statistics are staggering now. Being alone, living alone, used to be a fringe, outlier experience – the old maid, the drifter, the hobo. Now alone has become mainstream, acceptable, even respectable. As of 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds in the United States had never been married. This was a significant increase from 20% in 2010, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data. That is up from 6%, a 19% increase from 1980! Plus, there is even more statistics about couples that have decided to not have children at all. Marriage is so good and so healthy for many reasons, even in difficult times of stress and raising children. But alone is lonely!

Since people have decided to be alone and have decided not to go to church, go back to church and staying away from even volunteering at a church, I don’t know what is left to help folks NOT be alone. Solomon mentions cuddling with someone to stay warm, but then mentions the real struggle. What happens when things go wrong? What happens when you’re attacked, get sick or lose your job? These are dismal things that people alone must face. Combined with the fact that families are much more fractured, moving away to find jobs or cheaper housing. It even leaves families struggling to be there for each other.

It’s gone beyond the need to stop glorifying solitude, it’s time to re-start making friends and deepening the friendships we still have. Come back to God. Get back in Church. Get involved in other’s lives. Don’t look for ways to get, look for ways to give!

Prayer

​Dad,
Even coming from a chaotic childhood, I learned to make and build friendships. A few of these friends have been a part of my life for over fifty years. You were there with me, even though I didn’t realize it until I was a teen. I have been through some difficult times over the past few years and I learned just how valuable friendships are. I was overwhelmed with checkins and phone calls making sure that I was okay. It was humbling to feel deeply cared for by you and by friends that have invested in me over the years. I am so thankful for my wife, adult children, my friends and my life. Your love and grace has been evident! Amen.

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Earnest eagerness of our youth.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Solomon was about twenty years old when he became King of Israel. He followed his father, David, in a stable and flourishing kingdom. Solomon admits he has no idea just how ginormous his kingdom was, but it is estimated at 800 thousand to possibly a million people. Later, it was noted in 1 Kings 4:20, “There were so many people living in Judah and Israel while Solomon was king that they seemed like grains of sand on a beach. Everyone had enough to eat and drink, and they were happy.”

Being young and given the responsibility of ruling over such a vast amount of people humbled Solomon. One of the things Solomon decided to do came right out of David’s playbook – massive and public sacrifices to God in one of the most popular of tabernacles – at Gideon. A thousand sacrifices, in ancient days, were seen as a “King’s” sacrifice, acknowledging his submission to deity – this was an expensive, seven-day example of honoring Solomon’s one true God. He also made those sacrifices, in Gideon, where it had been known for sacrificing to Idols – one of the many “high places.” In one massive demonstration of humility and repentance Solomon showed the people where his heart and financial motives were coming from.

This decision pleased God, which is why it prompted God to ask Solomon what he wanted. “That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you! ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬.” As a young man, a young leader of a large, thriving kingdom, filled with God’s people, he wanted to do what was right above all else. Yet, even with the gift of wisdom from God, Solomon was not able to hold fast to righteousness and to continue to lead the nation in godly ways!

I remember being full of great ideas, technological advancements and more efficient systems to get things done. But I was serving in a culture that was resistant to change! As I have gotten older, I still feel the positive pressure of the future coming towards us faster than ever. However, my lesson, my observation from scripture, especially from the lives of David and his son, Solomon is this; to grow consistently in my spiritual maturity. Systems, cool ideas and flashy programs will not make it to eternity. People are worth investing in, so I want to work to stay humble. I choose to serve others well, praise and promote those around me and give all glory to God. I want to be able to give my own thousand sacrifices well into my elder years.

Prayer

Dad,
It’s not about finishing first, it’s about lasting to the end. It’s a race to the bottom, the end of the line, to see others cross before me. The crown that awaits us is those who have turned their hearts towards you and join with me in heaven praising you! Amen.

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Seasons just make sense.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By chapter three of Solomon’s “life experiment,” we begin to see some real insight and the wisdom of God begin to kick back into place. The general idea of chapter three is so obvious, but because of our human brain, it is also painfully and often ignored!

The heading: A Time for Everything.

It’s like our lives often feel like they are left in a spin cycle of teenage angst. We forget that nothing we experience here in life lasts forever. Sure, Murphy and his odd law of continued failure and doom may be the exception, Edward A. Murphy Jr. said, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” History, however, proves that impossible. Things do go wrong, but things also go right plenty of times. But even Murphy, as an American aerospace engineer, would agree, those calamities led to new creative possibilities.

Solomon walks us through the highs and lows of being human. He calls them seasons. If you live in normal parts of the United States, you get four distinct seasons. California only two seasons, summer and not summer. Our lives come with their own God-given seasons each year. Just reading the seasons listed here in chapter three makes me feel more normal. When a teen goes through their first love, followed by their first heartbreak, it’s painful wisdom to let them know that life is not over when that person breaks up with them. In terms of these seasons, these life episodes, they don’t last forever.

Grief, pain and extended suffering tend to last the longest, but even these do not triumph over the human spirit and will to rise up even in the midst of dark situations and surroundings. The sun will set today but will return tomorrow morning. What I love about chapter three is one of Solomon’s most powerful thoughts. It needs to be life-long meme – ”Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end,”(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬).

Even in the seasonal downturns, if we really think about it, can be beautiful in their own way. Did you know that even our tears are different under various emotional states? Emotional or “psychic” tears have more protein-based hormones. Yet, even the molecular structure of emotional tears are different. Tears of joy look different from tears of sadness! The body doesn’t lie.

God is the one who not only brings comfort in tumultuous times, He can bring an odd, even euphoric PEACE. It might not make sense, but it’s very real. I have spoken with folks who have lived a very hard, very tragic life, yet never show it in their words or behaviors. I feel sorry for them, yet they encourage me. I guarantee you, they are not faking these calm, sturdy, hope-filled moments. God has gifted them with a delightful presence of peace that surpasses our comprehension. It’s an encouragement to remember – in God’s economy, His Kingdom here, yet coming, He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Prayer

​Dad,
Now that I have taken a few trips around the sun, experiencing the lowest of lows in chaos, loss and grief as well as the highest of highs in love, gain and wonder, I completely agree with Solomon’s perspective. You become more extravagantly beautiful through the lens of joys and sorrows. And through all of the seasons of life thus far, I am humbly grateful to live seeing the fulfillment of every promise you’ve made. Great is your faithfulness! Amen.

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Wisdom’s Worth.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness (for who can do this better than I, the king?). I thought, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon, the wise, goes off on a grand social experiment, a comparison of value. Which is better wisdom or foolishness? This would be the headline of the day. This is how one spends their great understanding and ability? To me it clearly smacks of arrogance, entitlement and narcissism! And, Solomon seemingly brags about it writing, “who else can do this but a king?” Again, yes, yes, yes, the end of the book resolves all the dilemmas and tensions, but wow this is tough to admire such a waste of power and authority.

Solomon explores foolishness so we don’t have to? Is that the lesson? His experiment is flawed and his conclusions are wrong. His assumption is that the wise and foolish share the same fate. IE, they both die? Remember at the beginning of this chapter, he explores pleasure as a means of finding meaning. Here, he explores the idea of foolishness, abasing himself to the lowest of all human experiences that Proverbs describes as the worst of evils – being a fool.

How could wisdom possibly lead Solomon to even attempt this research? We are privy to the details of his folly, but his conclusions are seriously flawed. Solomon writes, Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten.” Yes, both the wise and the fool live and yes, they both die. That’s a fact. However, he misses the fact that a life of wisdom (or foolishness) influences all those around him.

We are not alone, isolated to the consequences of our own choices! Our lives have an impact on those around us, namely those closest to us. A wise life leaves an impression a legacy for those who follow! A foolish life leaves a wake of disparity and waves of regret. Our family, our friends our neighbors have to deal with the grief, the debt, the consequences of our failures. A foolish life is not meaningless, it is detrimentally devastating for those left behind! And what about the wise life? It too is not lived in isolation nor obscurity. Wisdom leaves a legacy of gold, honor, esteem, dignity and sound reputation. The wise life is not meaningless, it is foundational platform for a worthy life for those left behind.

And, what about eternity, perpetuity? Does foolishness or wisdom have consequences beyond death? Solomon miscalculates that neither the wise nor the fool will be remembered. Oddly enough, the historical irony is that Solomon was well remembered for both! The teacher needed to be schooled on this fact. Our lives, our very existence has huge significance and consequences well into eternity. Our existence, lived to the best of our ability means we desire to step up to what we have been given and bring to God a healthy return on His investment in us. “To whom much is given, much is required,” isn’t just a Bible verse (Luke 12:48) it is an eternal truth operating in the Kingdom of God. It’s the real life application of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30). There are absolutely rewards, given in heaven, for the choices, our deeds, here on earth. And, for sure it’s not monetary! I believe the rewards, the crown Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, are the influences on people to assist a soul’s eternal decisions for God – the crown is people.

The point is, the fool’s rewards are no way similar to the wise! What do I learn from this book and the wisest man of ancient days? All wisdom, given by God himself, separated from an authentic, thriving relationship with God will bring or cause an unsettled heart. The lack of a life lived, “fearing God and obeying his commands,” means that there will still be a longing, an unfulfilled yearning. No one, nothing can fill that void that solely belongs to God.

Prayer

Dad,
What is wisdom without you? What is health, wealth, power or influence without your presence? It is an emptiness that I do not wish to experience! I have my little trips to fulfill my soul-aches, to satisfy my disappointments or distress, none of them can replace what only you can give – true comfort, real peace! Wisdom is worthless without you. For you are my life, your Word my daily bread. Amen.

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Seeking pure pleasure.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sure, why not? The wealthiest, wisest human on the planet spins the wheel of life and looks for something, anything to satisfy his craving for meaning. No wonder few wander into the book of the teacher. It’s hard to posi-spin his opening volley, “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” It is so much easier to jump to the end when Solomon discovers that God is the only one who makes sense. AFTER you’ve read the whole book, look up Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬-‭14‬.

What does the teacher seek right from the start? Pleasure. In his own words he tells us, he has everything he needs to make all his dreams come true, so why shouldn’t he just go for it? He’s the king and can make it happen. Solomon does write a positive thought before kicking off his pursuits, “Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” Here’s some of the things Solomon pleasurely pursued.

▪️“Laughter, then wine,” clutching at foolishness. Nope, he finds no meaning.
▪️“Building huge homes, planting beautiful vineyards, making gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. Building reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.” Great idea. Did it work? No.
▪️Buying people – ”Buying slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. Acquiring large herds and flocks.” Still no meaning.
▪️ “Making great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces?” No.
▪️ “Hiring wonderful singers, both men and women.” No.
▪️ “Acquiring many beautiful concubines.” No.

Solomon admitted he had everything a man could desire. But did he find what he was looking for? Was he happy, was he satisfied, was his life fulfilling and full of meaning? No! Anyone reading this list might think, “well it didn’t work for Solomon, but it might work for me?” That would be foolishness upon foolishness to not learn from the wisest person in ancient days.

The teacher’s conclusion is that although there were rewards for his labors (building things), it still left him empty. Like he had just chased the wind. His search, his pursuits did not yield what he suspected he would find. Honestly, I think deep down he knew he was looking in the wrong place. The teacher’s search continues for the next ten chapters. It’s all kind of depressing until you get to the end. Still it’s a good read. Isn’t it interesting that Solomon chose to pursue pleasure first? Is that what you would seek if you had all the money, time and power you needed to make it happen? It left him empty. It would leave us empty as well. It is not a worthy pursuit and all who have gained it will tell you, it DID NOT WORK.

Prayer

​Dad,
Before I even had a chance to think about how I would build my own life, you were there to offer me real life and real meaning. For the longest time, money scared me. I saw what little my parents had and how easily my Dad would drink it away. I never wanted the allure of what money could provide, nor did I want the responsibility of understanding how it worked. At forty years old you began to teach me about generosity rather than gain and I’ve been happily allowing you to guide our finances ever since. Thank you! Amen.

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Can jealousy cause cancer?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sure, the New Living Translation takes some liberty by using a shocking word like cancer. Cancer, of course, is a mysteriously, radical rebellion that starts within a cell of our own body! The Hebrew word isn’t cancer it’s, “raqab,” rottenness or decay. Which is morbidly more creepy.

Bone rot? Proverbs gives us a stark reality – envy or jealousy in our heart does real damage to our physical body! This overly passionate want, this zeal for more, or for what others have, is doing far more harm than just be a soul-sucking experience, it will cripple us!

The comparison to what the Hebrews considered to be a “marpe,” sound or healthy heart – which Bible translations choose to use the word, peaceful or tranquil heart GIVES health, GIVES life itself. A jealous heart gives this rottenness and decay to our body’s infrastructure. It’s a clear warning to not let envy drive the conscious moments of our thoughts lest we release death throughout our bodies!

Dismiss jealousy. Kick envy. Do not let these toxic emotions sit and fester in our heart. Seek God’s perspective. Seek wisdom. Seek contentment with what you have, not what you want or think you need. Stop looking for more – especially when comparing to what others have! God’s word has given us warning labels to help us avoid self-inflicted diseases!

I believe that cancer is the personification of sin within our own cells. I believe the bigger problem is when these rogue cells enlist other healthy cells to their rebellious cause and form an evil unity of cells we call tumors. But what if Proverbs is physically accurate to one of the causal effects of jealousy or anger, bitterness or hate. Could those secret, harbored thoughts and emotions trigger a single cell to turn and become a traitor within our body? I’m not a medical doctor nor a cytologist, but I wonder if it’s true. The point is, keep your heart sound. Nurture your thoughts towards Godly peace and stay clear of bone rot.

Prayer

​Dad,
Proverbs is filled with principles of wisdom and truly life-giving advice. And, it’s also filled with warnings and consequences that I absolutely believe are true. In all our human learning and understanding, there are still a myriad of mysteries about so many things. We know cancer kills, but no one knows how it begins. Maybe your word sheds some light on what really rots us from within? David, a chief sinner, when he repented asked for a pure heart. I ask for the same. Amen.

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David’s Hit Country Western Song.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭53‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is believed that this Psalm was written by David while he was king of Israel. A few interesting things about this Psalm.

One: The most notable… is that this was a song – A SONG! The mysterious instrument was a Mahalath. It was possibly some kind of guitar. And, a couple of fairly infamous people were named Mahalath – Ishmael’s daughter and third wife of Esau ( Genesis 28:9 ), Isaac’s granddaughter! Also the name of David’s own son (Jerimoth). She was one of Rehoboam’s wives ( 2 Chronicles 11:18 ).

Two: This Psalm shows up twice in the book of Psalms (14 & 53).

Three: These Psalms became popular while Israel was in captivity under Babylon’s rule. Ezra brought it out of the archives of David’s writings and introduced it to the nation, his people, while they were king-less, leader-less and in a foreign land.

But just look at the words of this song that people actually sang while in the lowest of circumstances. It totally reminds me of a “woe is me, country-western” song. I’m sure it was a big hit during its day! David starts the song with a strong theme – “only the fool.” This word for fool is “nabel,” the most evil of fools mentioned in Proverbs. Nabel is the bent and seriously broken fool whose heart has completely been given to evil and the destruction of others. It’s a great, cryptic, rally-cry to declare the kings, the Nebuchadnezzar’s of Babylon to be these most evil fools.

The Israelites were living among the most wealthy, powerful, world conquerors of the ancient days. David sings of God’s perspective of all the might and influence of the nations during his own day – God searches for wisdom among the nations and finds NONE. And it sounds so fitting for the captives of the great Babylon to sing this as their own top song on the playlist. I imagine they gathered together while symbolically “crying in their beer,” finding solace and comfort in the fact that God would have the last word for the evil fools who blatantly, boastfully declare there is no God!

Babylons will rise, but all of them will eventually fall. This Psalm is perfect for the lament of our own soul when we look around and see evil flourishing while wisdom and common sense are fleeting. Thanks David! Play it one more time.

Prayer

​Dad,
These Psalms are timeless as reminders and even comfort when our world feels very much like the evil fools in charge are getting away with so much. Sadly, we have even declared a whole month to celebrate our own arrogance! David’s song, his lament, rings loud and clear even today. I pray as you look out over the human hearts today, that you would find pockets of wisdom, places of good. I know you will have the final word – and it will be just, right and true. Amen.

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Wisdom or Weakness.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul reminds the churches in Corinth that he didn’t show up to impress them with wisdom. Rather, Paul showed up with humility. What gifted orator would show up and hide their greatest gift? Paul would. And, he did. I am reminded that Paul gave more of his authentic self than he did his authoritative self. Paul had the credentials in both top level learning, having been trained by the best of the best rabbi’s – Gamaliel. However, Paul’s body bore the credentials of an outcast, a rebel and persecution – just read 2 Cor. 11:16+!

The interesting thing about Paul’s teaching approach to the Corinthians, is that Corinth is was oozing with wisdom, learning and endless philosophical debates. Mars Hill was known for its impromptu gatherings of the sharpest minds in the Roman Empire. It would be like pastoring in Berkeley, Boston or New Jersey. Contrarily, Paul did not come to impress, he came to empower. Corinth didn’t need another windbag, brainiac. The city needed someone who LIVED the gospel, not just knew it.

It’s the struggle with the old churches in the United States today – filled with knowledge about God, but limited in the behavior of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led people. Paul knew the churches didn’t need better lectures they needed better examples of the godly life. Paul would purposely forget everything except Jesus and his crucifixion. Jesus dying in this manner of a criminal and not using the power of God for his own will and ways was considered to be weakness! Paul came in this weakness, this timidity and trembling. His messages weren’t dripping snappy sayings or meme-filled sound bites, they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit! Paul wanted the church needy and dependent on the same – the power of God.

How did Paul get this power? Through faith and obedience. By being led into synagogues and streets where the message of Christ was not accepted and he was beaten for delivering it. Paul went where the Holy Spirit directed even if he didn’t see results (ie: Troas or Crete). He determined to go to Rome to deliver the gospel to the Caesar himself, even though he was warned that it would mean imprisonment. The power of God came through humility of being poured out for the cause of Christ. It wasn’t impressive at all!

Paul knew what we should know today, people are not impressed by our memorized orthodoxy! But people will listen to our orthopraxy. We can explain love, spell love, define love and tell stories about love. But if we do not love, it’s just noise. It’s not preaching without good theology, but it is preaching out of humility and God’s power. Even the Corinthians, with all their heady, pride-puffed lives could see the difference. Paul did this so the church would not trust in human wisdom, but in the power of God.

The church still has a lot of name and claim it, church growth promises. Seven steps to get people in the front doors. Five steps to closing the back doors. Three steps to next steps. Get in, get saved, get pumped, get involved and just keep showing up to do church. The promise is that your church will grow. Was this Paul’s plan with the churches he planted? What was Paul’s sermon content while in town? What was Paul’s church growth instructions? I don’t think it was clever and persuasive training. Paul worked in the outdoor mall during the week and had hundreds of conversations with shoppers and other business owners. He was a tent maker by the week, went to synagogue on the Sabbath and church on Sunday. He preached Christ is risen in both places. He shared his own testimony of being a hitman for God, persecuting the very people that he would come to know as the Church. And in synagogue he would often be thrown out for heresy. And in churches he would be confronted as fake, a money grubbing charlatan. This is where Paul would practice the gospel!

Prayer

​Dad,
We have really over complicated Your Church. We’ve systemized the Spirit. We’ve worked at perfecting our message and methodology rather than our humility and dependency on Your Spirit doing the work of changing our human hearts. Do I come in humility as I lead or speak? Am I thinking about tickling ears, scoring amens, or hearing the occasional praise of “good sermon pastor?” Do I show weakness? Do I show a heavy heart for those I know are broken and going through excruciating relationships or physical problems in their bodies. Help me Oh Lord to depend more on your power than my own. Help me to lean on Your wisdom rather than my own. Help me live the gospel LOUDER than I speak about it. Amen.

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Young men’s folly.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave. Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Proverbs sets up this interesting discussion about the dangers of womanly trickery. Whole chapters discuss her wily ways, alluringly, setting and snapping the death trap for men – young men in particular.

If Proverbs was a training manual for young Jewish boys, then these topics became salacious reading material. And, I’m sure there were secret whispers on the backside of the local synagogue. When I read these Proverbs, as a young man, I remember having visions of sleazy, vegas-strip like scenarios. I could viscerally feel the ick as I imagined some boy, wide-eyed and mesmerized, being lured in like a deer led to his demise. It was creepy, but appealing in a dangerous sort of way.

Proverbs 7 reads like a dirty magazine hidden under the mattress. I had not been to Vegas, nor visited a wayward women’s establishment nor a strip club. I have no personal experience with these awful, misguided, rights of passage. However, I no longer believe the wisdom writers and their teachers were attempting to mentally or visually tantalize the young souls of men.

Wisdom is saying something much deeper, much truer than blaming all the temptations on the temptress. I now believe EXACTLY what these verses propose. The woman’s name is Folly!

There are basically four words for foolish in Proverbs. One, in this description, is (kesiluth) stupidity! It’s the most benign of the four. It just means unlearned, unaware. Wisdom is the cure for stupid! However, we are fortunate because this verse contains the second most common word for foolish, (pethiyyuth) simple. It comes from the root word, (pathah) spacious, wide or open. As it pertains to a fool, it would mean, easily enticed, deceived or persuaded.

The warning doesn’t just come from the context of the young man being stupidly unaware and easily manipulated. It also comes with the voracity of this personified woman. This kind of tempter, is a (hamah) a predator who growls, and roars boisterously! There is a brash confidence to consume the innocence of their prey. There is far more than the sexual escapades of youth being allured by foolishness. Foolishness can be anything that deters, distracts, disengages a young man’s attention from doing what is right.

It may not seem as dangerous as succumbing to the seductive whispers of sexual freedom, but there are other temptations that lead to death. There are dares, bribes, and arrogance that surge in a young man’s soul. The triple-dog dare to lick the frozen pole. The bribe to try the latest social media challenge to huff, swallow or handle some untested experiment, experience or drug that puts one in an early grave. The rush of arrogance to be a somebody in demented group-think challenge of speed or reckless behavior.

The invitation to “come in with me,” isn’t always from a woman named Folly! It’s just as often a voice challenging a young man to prove himself by engaging in stupidity! And, the Proverb is 100%, accurately true – little do they know that the dead are there. And Folly’s guests are all found in the grave!

Our young men need Fathers. Our young men need mentors. I have seen more than just a delayed adolescence over the past several years. I have seen an extension of the folly season continue on into someone’s 20’s and 30’s. No wonder Wisdom BEGS us to listen. No wonder Wisdom constantly goes out searching, seeking for the simple so they might not become easy prey for the predators of foolishness.

Remember young men, the war for your heart and mind is real. Don’t be the casualty of folly! I have always recommended the Apostle Paul’s advice in 1 Cor. 15:33, “bad company corrupts good morals.” Get out while you can. Run from Folly. Embrace Wisdom.

Prayer

Dad,
Help us! Rescue us from ourselves and those who prey on the innocence of our youth. You found me and saved me. Pour out Your Spirit on our young men all over the globe. Meet them, Father them, as you have done for me. Amen.

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Peace Planters

Reading Time: 2 minutes

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. ‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

James, brother of Jesus and one of the early church leaders, writes to the churches about living a faith-filled and fruit-filled life. It is not just faith, it is obedient and visible works.

In just a few short thoughts, James captures the true essence of the word wisdom. Wisdom is evident in the behaviors of peacemakers and peace planters! James writes the attributes of wisdom, which was exemplified in his brother’s entire life. Jesus, the essence and personification of wisdom loved and lived peace.

Wisdom is first of all, pure (hagnos) holy and sacred.

▪️It is peaceful (eirénikos) whole and joined or tied together.
▪️ It is gentile (epieikés) equitable, yielding and reasonable.
▪️ It is yielding (eupeithes) compliant, pre-disposed to come to terms.
▪️ It is filled with mercy (eleos) pity and compassion and produces good fruit (karpos).
▪️ It is impartial (adiakritos) indistinguishable, without uncertainty about fairness.
▪️ And it is sincere (anupokritos) without hypocrisy, pretending, acting or faking truth.

What a list of behavioral attributes! This is not only what wisdom looks like, it is what a wise person acts like! Pure, peaceful, reasonable, compliant, merciful, compassionate, equitable and sincere behaviors. Think of what takes place in our country’s highest level of court justice. Think of what takes place in our country’s lowest level of street justice. Do we see wisdom? Do we see behaviors of peace?

James admonishes true followers of Jesus to not only think wisely, but behave wise. James inspires us to be peace planters, yielding beautiful fruits of wisdom! What am I sowing on Sundays as believers gather? How can I choose to seed peace rather than seethe hate at the insta or TikTok water cooler? How can the wisdom and peace of God be the antidote to the fast-spreading social viruses of anger, hate, disunity and violence? James is a big fan of behavior over simply belief!

Prayer

Dad,

Action is far louder than belief, behavior is far more effective for change than just my quiet thoughts on what I believe or how I feel. Your word, your wisdom, is actionable towards us. Your thoughts towards us are proven through your behavior towards us. Your love, mercy and peace have been demonstrated through Jesus! And my life can show proof of Jesus’ life and the eternal change in me through my behaviors of wisdom and peace. Thank you for rescuing me and calling me to be a peace planter!