“Who is wise and understanding among you?” (James 3:13).

If I were the one to whom the Apostle James was asking this question, I would hesitate to raise my hand. The question is really convicting for me. I want to be wise, but do I dare to think I am? What is wisdom anyway? Is it someone who always has a pithy comment to make, who always says the right thing at the right time? Is it someone who is seasoned with experience?

The Book of Proverbs is known as the Book of Wisdom. Solomon wrote it “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair…” (Proverbs 1:2-3). Solomon wrote these words of wisdom, or borrowed them in some cases, earlier in his career. From a study of Solomon, we can deduce that just knowing words of wisdom will not make one wise, because Solomon did not heed many of his own words of wisdom. He made many mistakes, especially later in his career because he did not heed his own teaching.

I imagine that you, like me, want to know the right way to speak and act with our spouses, children, and those that we work with and for here at Nashville Rescue Mission. The next few devotionals will be devoted to this concept of wisdom.

For now, we will try for a simple way to understand what wisdom is so that we can be more alert to its use and misuse. Sometimes the best way to understand a concept is to explore its opposite: in this case, foolishness. What does the Bible say about foolishness or folly as contrasted with wisdom?

A foolish person despises God; he rejects God’s Word and pays the moral consequences for not fearing God.

• “The fool says in his heart, there is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

Foolish people do not listen to others because they love to hear themselves talk.

• “The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly (Proverbs 15:2).
• “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions” (Proverbs 18:2).

A foolish person demonstrates a lack of self-control displayed in words of temper.

• “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult… The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:16, 18).
• “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” Proverbs 14:29).

A foolish person has an attitude that they have all the answers.

• “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).
• “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13).
• “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them” (Proverbs 26:12).

Ponder these descriptions and make some observations based on these standards. Remember, God alone is the righteous standard for what is wisdom and foolishness, and he ensures that we have access to this standard through the Holy Scriptures.

A foolish person delights in doing evil. But “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men….” (Proverbs 2:14).

In Christ,

Judy