Ben Workman

Fools despise wisdom and discipline. – Proverbs 1:7b

               Nobody wants to be called a fool. Although, being called a fool would seem tame by today’s level name calling. However, in the ancient world to be called foolish is an extremely derogatory remark. In the book of Proverbs, the fool shows up for many reasons that will lead to their own ruin. But here in verse seven we see the fool’s true nature: he despises wisdom and discipline.

               Before I can go on, I feel like I need to make a few clarifications. First, wisdom in Proverbs is not synonymous with information. Information is included with wisdom but there is more to it. Perhaps the word “skill” is a better understanding of the word “wisdom.” If you are a skillful surgeon, then you have both the correct information and the experience needed to guide your hand on the patient. You have the experience in the sense that you have walked a similar path. Therefore, you have a trained eye to know where to cut and what problems to look for in the patient. To be wise in Proverbs is to have the skill to navigate this difficult life in a way that is pleasing to God.

               Second, the fool is not ignorant. The fool is a fool because he hears and then rejects wisdom. Not only does he reject wisdom but his attitude towards wisdom is extremely negative. Bruce Waltke says, “the fool believes that wisdom and discipline is worthless and vile.” In the biblical text it says the fool despises wisdom and discipline. So do not confuse ignorance with foolishness.

               Why would a fool hate correction? Why do I hate to be corrected? The easy answer is pride, but I think there is more to it. I believe it has to do with my ambition in life. For example, let’s assume for a moment that I want to be the best bodybuilder on the planet. I am driven to study from the best, put in the sacrifice needed, work hard, and learn from my wrong choices. I would be most willing to accept corrections from my peers because it helps accomplish my goal of becoming the best bodybuilder in the world. What is there to be prideful about? My ambition to become the best would overcome my sense of pride. Should this concept be the same for believers?

               What our ambition ought to be is to serve Jesus with the best of our ability. All of our knowledge, talents, and possessions ought to be used in service for Jesus. Not only do we take corrections we desire it. Why? Because it helps become better servants for Jesus. But if we hate correction then what is our true ambition? Honestly, I want to be my own king. I want to live for my own happiness and do things that only benefit me. This is the heart issue I wrestle with daily. But this is why I need to be changed from the heart. If I hate correction, then I am a fool in the eyes of Jesus. 

               I want to encourage you to go all out for Jesus. Give your body over for Jesus, the true King. This is the message we don’t hear often enough. It seems that most our Christian message is about how God caters to our needs which seems self-serving. I understand that most of us prefer to hear how Jesus can meet our needs. But who is the servant in that picture? Jesus bought you; you did not pay for Jesus. Jesus is perfect and we are not. Jesus took us, selfish sinners, and has transformed us. Why? So that we can live a happy life? No. He has transformed us so that we may serve Him.

               I exhort you to not be a fool. Remember your place as a servant in His Kingdom. He has little use for fools. May you and I take off our own crowns and serve the true Crown. May we do so genuinely and from a pure heart.