“Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” Proverbs 26:9
Devotional Thought For The Day
Lots of bad things happen to drunkards. The loss of the ability to utilize the natural gifts of God – coordination, vision, hearing, balance, and reason, makes the drunkard an easy mark for victimization and far more vulnerable to accidents. The drunkard is also far more vulnerable to temptations to immorality. When a person is anesthetized in drunkenness, he may not even be aware of serious injuries, which if left unattended or untreated may become life threatening. I’ve never done this, only heard tales and read newspaper accounts, but if anyone doubts the horrid wretchedness of drunkenness he should spend a late night shift on the weekend at the emergency room of a hospital. The hospitals and emergency rooms which are in near proximity to college campuses witness greater incidence of this foolishness and its horrid effects. Perhaps this should be a mandatory “field trip” for all young people. Some might actually become teetotalers, and perhaps many would become aware enough of the devastation of drunkenness that they exercise much greater discipline in their imbibing.
The vulnerability to serious, even life-threatening injuries of the drunkard is compared to a proverb in the mouth of fools. What is the point of comparison? The foolish person who speaks proverbs, words of wisdom, does so without knowing what he is doing or the harm and damage he is causing, not only to others but chiefly to himself. First, words of wisdom can be misunderstood, twisted, distorted, and misapplied, so that the naive and undiscerning are damaged by the proverb. This frequently happens in cults and sects, in false religions, and in theologically liberal “churches.” Perhaps worse, those listening to the fool cannot see the wisdom of the proverb at all because of the distortions and perversions of the fool, and hence decide that there is no wisdom in the proverb [and all proverbs], and become immune to instruction altogether. Third, God takes His Word seriously, and those who abuse and distort and pervert His Word, whether knowingly or ignorantly, are held accountable for the damning effects of their “speaking” – so that while they think they are doing something good and noble, “spreading God’s Word,” they are actually bringing greater judgment and damnation upon themselves.
Ah, this brings us to a quandary. No mere human being can master all of the wisdom of God’s Word – we are all continuing to grow in our grasp of the wonders of God’s love, the wisdom of His ways, and mysteries of His providence and governance of all human concerns and affairs. So, does this disqualify us from speaking and teaching God’s Word to others, so that the warning of the proverb applies to us? We desire that others should receive the goodness and blessings of God’s love that we have through faith in Christ, and this blessedness is shared and communicated through words – and so we understand that we are both compelled by love and commissioned by Christ to share His Word with others. We have seen others – naive and green, start out well with the basics but then go on to butcher the wisdom of God’s Word by diving into water too deep for them. We wouldn’t want to do this – and so this proverb provides us with prudent warning.
The basics of the wisdom of God are quite simple, though counter-intuitive and completely contrary to the perverse logic governing our sinful nature. The basics are all found in the Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29] The basic reality can be stated quite simply: “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16] Anyone who properly understands this is able to do two things: remain safe in sharing the wisdom of God by making sure that nothing he/she teaches is contrary to this most basic assurance of God’s Word, the reality of His magnificent love for us in Christ Jesus, that we are saved purely by His gracious love, what He has graciously accomplished for us in Christ Jesus, received by faith in Christ alone; and in so doing one is effectively speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is “the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.” [Rom. 1:16] The only thing to be remembered, and to discipline ourselves in, is when confronted with issues that we do not fully grasp, we simply say “I don’t know,” and leave it at that. The wisest people, the most educated and spiritually mature, often have to confess the limits of their wisdom and knowledge – which in fact demonstrates their wisdom and integrity.
Those who understand and believe in Jesus – by the gracious love, power, and work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, are also able and competent to recognize when a “proverb” is in the mouth of a fool, to reject and repudiate his heresy, and to pray God’s mercy on the fool and all who must endure him. Even the newest Christian is able to do this – thanks and praise be to God!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Word of God and the Light of the World, and Your Word, which clearly and simply conveys the wonders and joys of Your gracious love and salvation, is the foundation of all wisdom. Strengthen all of Your dear children in faith that we be preserved from the work of the devil – who is constantly placing proverbs into the mouths of fools. Grant us continued growth in the wisdom of Your Word, and the humility inherent in a life of faith, not sight, so that always we find joy and peace in Your love. Amen.