Hymn: “Take my life and let it be”.
CENTRAL THOUGHT
Wisdom surpasses folly, as light surpasses darkness.
TEXT: PROV.1:20-33; 2:1-17
INTRODUCTION:
Generally, wisdom means ‘good sense’: the knowledge and experience needed to make sensible decisions and judgements, or the good sense shown by the decisions and judgements made. It also means ‘accumulated learning’; knowledge of life or of a particular activity that has been gained through experience or ‘opinion widely held’: an opinion that almost everyone seems to share. Wisdom can also mean ‘sayings’; ancient teachings or sayings. However, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”, Prov 1:7. To ‘fear’ the Lord is respect, honor and obey Him; this is the foundation of, and introduction to, true wisdom.
Demonstration of wisdom is application of knowledge and understanding correctly. There is no wisdom without knowledge. It is the Lord’s will that His people are knowledgeable and wise. The wise uses his eyes and reason and foresees and avoids dangers and mischief. Wisdom makes a man, vulnerable, cheerful, mild etc.
Foolishness makes a fool not to even know his folly, he is loud and talkative, and regrettably, often popular. Some confuse this with oratory. So, the fool is a nuisance to any society; yet he often becomes the people’s leader/‘role model’. Fools are found in different fortes: entertainment, politics, religion, education (teaching, lecturing, studentship, etc). The common factor among them is inability to do right. They cannot enjoy common sense; the way of the Lord is foolishness to them.
A fool is an unintelligent or thoughtless person, a ridiculous person, a court entertainer. One who does not know where he is headed is a fool. One who thinks that there is no God is also a fool. (Ecc.2:14a; Psa 14:1; Psa.53:1) And there is a big contrast between the wise and the foolish.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to show, from the Holy scriptures, the difference between the wise and the foolish and to encourage God’s people to live as wise and not as fools.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT CONTRASTS CAN BE DRAWN BETWEEN THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH VIRGINS IN MATT.25:1-13?
Observe carefully the Lord’s description of these virgins: five were wise, and five foolish (Matt. 25:2). Even though these were of the same profession and “denomination”, they as characters vastly different in the sight of God. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones, as in another parable they are represented by wise and foolish builders. People are wise or foolish in the affairs of their souls; it has nothing to do with societal standing, academic attainment, or physical look.
Notice the equal number of the wise and foolish virgins, as if to teach us to watch out among those that profess religion, and to think of them with this kind of mind, that the wise and the foolish are represented in the church.
It was the folly of the foolish virgins that led them to take their lamps and took no oil with them, Mat.25:3. They had just enough oil to make their lamps burn for the present, to make a show with, as if they intended to meet the bridegroom waiting for them; but no cruse or bottle of oil with them if there was a delay. How this typifies lots of people in the church! They have no principle. They have a lamp of profession in their hands, but do not have in their hearts that stock of sound knowledge, rooted dispositions, and settled resolutions, which is necessary to carry them through the services and trials of the present time. They act under the influence of external inducements but are void of spiritual life. They have no prospect, anticipation or vision of, nor make provision for, what is to come. This is the lot of a vast majority of our “brethren”, men and women who are dangerously short sighted. Tell them of things not yet seen, and you would be as Lot to his sons-in-law, as one that joked.
On the contrary, the wisdom of the wise virgins made them to take oil in their vessels with their lamps (Mat.25:4). Our light must shine before men in good works, but this cannot be, or not for long, unless there is a fixed active principle in our heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren, with an eye to what is ahead of us. The wise took oil in their vessels supposing that perhaps the bridegroom might delay. Similarly, in looking forward it is good to prepare for any eventuality.
Another important lesson is their common fault; during the bridegroom’s delay, they all slumbered and slept (Mat. 25:5). What we look for as certain and we are apt to think is very near may not quite be as we thought! Let us bear in mind the counsel of the Bible in this respect that, though it tarries, it will come! (Hab.2:3). And when we least expect, it will come. While the bridegroom tarried, those that waited for him, grew sleepy, and forgot what they were there for. They all slumbered and slept; as if they had given up looking for him.
Finally, they received a very surprising summons to go out to meet the bridegroom (Mat.25:6). The year of the redeemed is fixed, and it will come. Christ’s coming may be at our midnight, when we least look for Him, and are most disposed to take our rest. The wise and the foolish virgins, all arose and trimmed their lamps, snuffed them and went about with all expedition to put themselves in a posture to receive the bridegroom, except that the foolish virgins had run out of oil, bringing themselves great distress, Mat.25:8-9.
The wise virgins did not reprimand the foolish about their neglect, nor boast of their own prediction, nor torment them with suggestions tending to hopelessness, but gave them the best advice under the circumstance, “Go rather to them that sell”. Those that deal foolishly in the affairs of their souls are to be pitied, not insulted and not admired.
While they went out to buy, the bridegroom came. The fool would postpone their responsibility to later. The bridegroom came and then fetched home his bride, to be where he is. The fool does not have a part with the all-wise God. They are rejected.
“A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.”. Ecc.10:2.
QUESTION 2) WHAT OTHER CONTRASTS CAN BE DRAWN BETWEEN THE WISE AND FOOLISH FROM THE SCRIPTURE? (SEE PROV.10:9; 14:1-3; 11:29; 15:21; 16:22; EPH.5:15-33)
The fool rushes at life and does not make a good use of opportunities; he does not find out what the Lord’s will is. He gets drunk with wine, overfed with food, and lacks basic self-control. He makes fun of knowledge and does not listen or learn. He does not take counsel and indulges and enjoys sin; he does not obey the Lord and is not trust-worthy.
But the wise treasures and seeks for knowledge and is eager to learn. He knows and fears the Lord. He knows righteousness, justice and fairness. He resists temptation and is trust-worthy.
In many facets of like, many more contrasts exist between the fool and the wise, in particular.
Conversation (ref. Prov.12:16; 13:3; 14:3; 15:23; 16:21; 18:2, 13)
The wise man protects himself by guarding his utterances. He is not a gossip. Gossip is very prevalent in the church because people love to hear about others, and because people do not really love. A rumormonger is a fool; one who “tells stories about”, whether as a leader or as led. One who talks too much is also a fool. In his plenty talking he reveals vital personal secrets even to his enemies! He disgraces even his family members by his abundance of talking. But the words of the wise protect them. The wise finds the right word for the occasion. The fool does not listen before answering. Thus, he becomes stupid and insulting. When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Wise people will ignore an insult. A wise, mature person is known for understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is. A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.
Response to criticism (Ref. Prov.10:8; 23:12; 25).
Wise people recognize, crave for and are grateful for criticisms (even when they are not constructive). They accept good advice. Foolish people will not and so, come to ruin. Man is made to solve problems and so should learn all he can from everywhere possible in every situation possible until the last breath is drawn. This also is wisdom. Some easily assume the post of the wise and cease to learn. They easily say things like. “who is he that he should teach me?”, “what experience has he?” In their hearts they are proud. The fool is so proud, he cannot say “I am sorry”. He is so proud; he cannot see that the crowd laughing before him is made of people laughing at him and those laughing with him. He plays on his folly. He prefers the popular opinions because he does not have a way of discerning the right one.
Planning in life ( Ref. Prov.11:14; 16:9; 20:18; 19:21; 21:5; Jer 29:11, 1 Chr.12:32)
It is our responsibility to draw our life plans; God will direct it, just like He blesses the works of our hands. If we do nothing with our hands, what would He bless? A man without a careful plan is a man that God cannot use! He is a foolish man. Do not go into any venture (relationship, marriage, business, school, journey etc) without a plan! Some people start a relationship without an idea when they would marry. Some enter school without any idea what they intend to do with the certificate when the schooling is over. The wise knows where he is going, but the fool does not. “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” Pr. 20:18. Many are poor because they are foolish! Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough. When the wise has done all he has to do in planning, he knows that it is the Lord that gives him the strength to make wealth; the Lord gives the increase. Listen to His words in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
A wise man has understanding of the times, to know what to do.
QUESTION 3) WHAT ARE PREREQUISITES AND SOME REWARDS OF WISDOM? (PROV.2:1-11; 12:20)
Lay up the word of the Lord in your heart with care, as men do their choicest treasures, and wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech. There is no other source of true wisdom other than from Jehovah, and He gives to those who pay attention to His word. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright.
God is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. The wise understands righteousness, justice and equity, every good path.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” ( Pro.26:12). In this lesson, we have studied that wisdom surpasses foolishness. Scripture adds that there is one who has less hope than a fool: one living in self-deceit. This state is actually another level of foolishness; a spiritual disease. This person has some little sense, and is very proud of it, thinks it is much more than it is; he feels greater than any of his neighbors. He believes he has enough and needs no more, has such arrogance of his own abilities; and all the use he makes of his knowledge is that it puffs him up.
Therefore let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise, 1 Co.3:18. Many are hindered from being truly wise by a false groundless conceit that they are wise.
There is that maketh himself rich, yet he hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches, Prov. 13:7.
MEMORY VERSE:
JOB 28:28
“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Self-deceit, hinderance to true wisdom Mat.21:32, John 9:40,41.
TUE: God uses the wise hearted, not fools. Ex. 28:3; 31:3-6; 26:31-35.
WED: Wisdom fetches riches; riches do not make a man wise.
1 Kings 10:1-11.
THU: Feature of wisdom is patience. Prov. 14:29.
FRI: Human wisdom does not please God. 2 Cor.1:12; James 3:14-17.
SAT: The hypocrite, the fool and the liar shall face God’s judgement. Is. 9:17; Rev.21: 8