“Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” Proverbs 26:6,7
Devotional Thought For The Day
This begins a short series of observations regarding what happens when “proverbs” [wise sayings] are communicated by people who are well known to be fools. We’ve all sensed the truth of this proverb – when we’ve listened to someone trying to relate important information, but it soon becomes evident that they don’t really understand, believe, or practice what they are saying. This actually creates an impediment to the listeners – so that even if what is being communicated is true, is important, and is trustworthy, many others who may not be able to recognize it as such reject it simply because of the source. So Jesus forbid the demons to identify Him as the Christ, to “bear witness” to Him – because of the potential for confusion in the minds of the hearers [see Luke 4:33-35]. This is the application of “wisdom” being useless simply because of the source.
This creates a difficult consideration of the nature and dynamics of the preaching, teaching, and proclaiming of the wisdom of Christ to others. The apostle rejoiced that Christ was being preached even when the preaching was being done by fools, for wrong reasons – out of selfish ambition and pretense, even merely to afflict Paul [Phil. 1:15-18]. The application of these proverbs is somewhat different when it comes to the preaching of Christ, the Gospel itself, so long as it is being presented in truth and purity, for the wisdom of the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes” [Rom. 1:16]. If what is preached conflicts with the true Gospel it does not have such power to produce saving faith, but rather is a great evil. Still, we have noted that not all who preach the Gospel do so with a great deal of wisdom or integrity [and this may deter some from believing the Gospel, as if you would have to become a fool to believe it from a fool], and we have also noted that when it can be observed that someone is preaching the Gospel out of selfish ambition, this wicked dynamic may completely pervert the life of that community, so that it is not really one of faith and service to Christ [even though His Name is frequently being used].
Once such evil dynamics have corrupted a person’s mind, it is virtually impossible to root them out – and there is often little evidence of a lively and true faith in them. And others certainly notice this – and may end up being repulsed [properly] from such a “congregation.” Others may end up being repulsed from the Gospel itself. Obviously, those who engage in this kind of perversion are not “sent” by the Lord Jesus Christ. He would not “cut off” His own feet or “drink violence” in this manner, or want His Word to end up seemingly useless, appearing to be no different from the other babble that comes from the mouths of fools. So discernment is called for – first within the hearts of those who represent Christ by preaching His Word, and second in the minds of those who are preached to and taught. There is sin and evil in all of us – which must be repented of, and cleansed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. Such repentance and confession is consonant with the wisdom of the Gospel, and enhances its influence. However, foolishness and evil is not to be tolerated and accepted as the norm, nor allowed to exert influence within the church – and certainly not among those who purport to represent Christ and convey His wisdom [the Gospel] to others.
Ah, life in this fallen and treacherous world of sin is often quite complicated, and we are naive, so that we wouldn’t think twice about a lot of these dark and difficult matters were it not for the blessed wisdom God has provided to us through His written Word, Holy Scripture, the Bible. So let us allow this wisdom to soak in, and contemplate it carefully and deliberately, and do what we can, what we are blessed to do, for the cause of God’s Word, the Gospel of our blessed Lord Jesus.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, sin has injected foolishness into all of us, yet the light of Your Word, the glorious Gospel of Your love, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation reintroduces us to true and genuine wisdom. Continue to provide us with truth and freedom through Your Word, that we wisely do all that we can to truly promote the wisdom of Your Life and salvation to others. Prevent the damage of fools especially within Your blessed church. Amen.