May 13, 2024 -- Proverbs 13:20 -- Walking not as a fool but as one who is wise

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20 ESV

To understand this proverb one must know the difference between the wise and the fool. According to the Bible, “the fool says in his heart there is no god” (Psalm 14:1). The fool is one who has all kinds of worldly ideas, thoughts on god, or imaginings of what god must be like, but has not grounded such ideas in Scripture. The fool has made ultimate one aspect of life to the detriment of the rest of life. For example, there are so many foolish climate activists who are defacing art in an attempt to highlight the climate crisis. Their commitment to one cause has unbalanced them.

As you readers will know, much of my work is with prisoners and those recently released, many of whom are addicts seeking to break free from the chains of addiction. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous will make sobriety the greatest priority. As soon as this happens, one loses his way with the One True God. A commitment to a cause unbalances one’s sense of Who God Is. You can be sober but still rushing along the highway to hell.

The wise know this “for the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity” (Proverbs 2:6-7). Those who are wise are men and women who submit themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Those who, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, read the Bible are informed how to live in view of the Truth of God. He is ultimate. God the Father is the ultimate good in one’s life. He may be approached only through Jesus Christ, this is the exclusive claim of Christianity that causes others to howl.

Be fair at this point. In a community forum, the Jewish man, an agnostic, and a believer in Islam, will state there are points of contact. They may even cooperate on projects like community foodbanks for those in poverty or immigration policies that unite families; but do not be fooled, they do not regard these causes as ultimate. There will be strenuous denials among them that all roads lead to God. The point is, people will absolutize that which is convenient or close to their heart.

The one who walks in the wisdom of the One, True God, serves Him alone. All other areas of life—sobriety, fitness, family, climate, finances, and so on—are brought fully into submission to Him. When one area of life begins to assert itself as more important, or equally important, such equivocations lead a person away from whole-hearted service to the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Him alone is all our joy; “a desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19). Jesus is all our heart’s desire. Ah, in Him is found such sweetness and this world cannot comprehend any of this. I guess that is the point—Jesus is such sweetness the world cannot comprehend Him, unless the Spirit awakens the soul and shows a man both his mind and his desires are best filled in Christ alone.

Our Father in heaven thank You for the life and healing and grace You have showered on us in Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that You, for the joy set before You, endured the cross, scorning its shame. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God, for the new life in Christ which You breathe into us. Thank You, Spirit of God, for the teaching of Scripture which is a fountain of life which exposes to us all the concealed, worldly snares of death. Faithful Father, thank You for the godly friends and wise brothers and sisters in the Lord whom You have given to us. Help us, by Your Spirit, to be godly counselors to all those who You put into our life. Amen.

https://youtu.be/72mzKbEAP5g?si=Ub_2NZ0BW4paXvgN Wonderful, Merciful Savior