Which will you choose?

The Legacy Bible that I am using to read through the Bible this year had an excellent introduction to the book of Proverbs. Even though we have already been in this book for a few days, I just have to quote part of that introduction here because it REALLY spoke to me and made me pause to think. So here it is:

"The directness of many of these proverbs, however, can strike our modern ears as harsh. We're trained to be politely evasive and politically correct when speaking of such delicate matters as people's finances or living foolishly. But Proverbs doesn't dance around anything. It disturbs those who avoid living decisively and offers many take-it or leave-it choices as well as clear warnings about the consequences of our actions."

The Legacy Bible Introduction to Proverbs

Hmmm...are we too politically correct and evasive with our actions and our words or do we stand firmly on the truth of God's Word and not worry about hurting people's feelings? I do not think that the writers of the book of Proverbs were concerned at all about stepping on toes and just telling it like it is. I am not saying that we should be rude or harsh by any means, but we need to lovingly and respectfully tell it like it is because we are standing on THE TRUTH!

There are two clear subject matters in today's readings and I do not think that it is a coincidence at all that they are back to back in this part of the book: Adultery and Wisdom/Folly. The author (whom we are assuming is still Solomon at this point) does a fantastic job of painting a picture of a young man falling into the clutches of the adulteress woman. You can almost see the bait sitting on a trap and then WHAM the cage shuts on him. And he is caught in her web and is being led to "slaughter". For those of us that have had the unfortunate experience of seeing or even experiencing the devastating effects of adultery know how VERY TRUE this word picture is. The destruction of this sin is so far reaching and so very painful for ALL that are involved. No wonder verse 27 of chapter 7 says, "Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death." Amen. Enough said.

Wisdom and folly are exact opposites. They are contrasted together in chapters 8 and 9. Solomon does a lot of using descriptive words for wisdom in chapter 8. He uses such words as just, discerning, knowledge, prudence, discretion, sound judgment, understanding, and power. He also says several times that wisdom is of greater worth than any silver, gold or rubies. This wisdom is VERY important for us to seek and to find. Go after it and obtain it! How do we do that? James 1:5 tells us:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (NIV)

What does it look like? James 3:17 tells us:

"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (NIV)

Folly, on the other hand, is described as loud, undisciplined, without knowledge, and is lacking judgment. And where are her guests? Verse 18 of chapter 9 tells us they are in the same place as the one who gets trapped by the adulteress: "But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave." Amen. Enough said.

So...which one do you have and which one do you exercise the most of: wisdom or folly? Oh...and don't get too excited like I did when I saw that wisdom was referred to as "her", because folly is also referred to as a "her". Drat!!! I thought I had something to use to gain an advantage over my husband! (Sigh) :)