“Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;” (Ecclesiastes 10:12–13, NLT)
A few years ago, a man living nearby was brought home from the hospital with a serious illness to his lungs. In order to leave the hospital, the doctors demanded he breathe pure oxygen until he was out of danger. One doctor warned him repeatedly, “Do not smoke while using the oxygen!” The person delivering the oxygen to his home said, “Do not smoke around this oxygen gas!” His wife told him, “If you smoke while on the oxygen, I’m going to be mad at you!” What did he do? After a few days at home recovering, he rewarded himself for getting better by lighting up a cigarette while breathing pure oxygen. The explosion that followed killed him and seriously injured his wife. His house was so damaged, they considered tearing it down. Sometimes, people just won’t listen to wisdom!
Two weeks ago, a young woman who refused to believe all the coronavirus warnings took a video of herself licking a toilet on a plane as a way to rebel against the hype! Now, others are posting videos showing themselves doing the same thing to get their few minutes of fame! How do you think this will turn out?
Two weeks ago, five students were interviewed on TV while spending their Spring Break in Florida. They didn’t care that travel bans were in place and the governor of Florida was urging people to use caution because of the coronavirus outbreak. They were partying, sharing glasses, hugging, dancing together and more. The University they attended was notified this week that four out of the five were infected. The youth had ignored their parents, the governor, the CDC, and so many more people who gave warnings about the dangers. It didn’t matter. As one of them was quoted, “The virus won’t stop me!” Yeah, right.
The scripture for today explains that there is a huge difference between “wise words” and “foolish assumptions”. Ecclesiastes 10:12 begins with an observation that “wise words bring approval”. Wise words usually bring forth a better life, good things, and rewards. Wise words, when heeded, support life and love. They are the basis of common sense. True wisdom is seen as something that comes from God (James 3:13-18). Worldly wisdom won’t cut it. God’s wisdom is essential for faithful living. Being foolish is not only unintelligent, it is ungodly.
The second verse of our reading for today from Ecclesiastes 10 teaches that “fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions” (Ecclesiastes 10:13). In the end, their conclusions are “wicked madness”. When you do something foolish, it brings risks. God wants to preserve life. Foolish living threatens to damage life. God wants to protect you with wisdom. Fools may want to have fun or be independent or do what they want, but they are taking risks when they go against God’s word.
Is there something foolish you do in your life? Are there wise words from God you ignore?
When I was going to seminary, I worked at a factory job to make ends meet. I was based out of a warehouse, though sometimes I traveled with a truckload of guys to install the company’s products. One Friday morning, a woman walked through our work area. This was unusual, since all the workers in this area were men. I figured one of the wives had stopped in to visit. I found out later that the woman was one of the workers in the main office. She was on the warehouse floor to check on an order. Over the next month, I saw her a couple of times and figured she was checking on an invoice or account.
One day, while on a break, she came by again. I overhead her talking to one of the workers. She was flirting with him! And he, a married man, was flirting back! I was shocked as this woman was not his wife. Later I said to him, “Why are you so flirty with her?” He replied, “She started it, so I just enjoy the banter.” I told him, “You are playing with fire, man. I think she likes you.” One apprentice said, “Hell, enjoy the banter. It adds to the excitement of the day!”
Several months later, I found out that the two flirts had an affair. The whole situation blew up at the man’s home and among the workers in my area. The other workers knew the man and his wife well. They did not appreciate the woman from the office wrecking the marriage. It caused so many problems that both workers quit their jobs. A divorce ensued. Lives were forever changed.
Today, if God speaks through another person with wise words, don’t ignore them. To do so may not only show foolishness but result in all kinds of evil. Learn to distinguish God’s wisdom from the foolish words of others. Be careful what you think. Base your decisions on God’s wisdom, not upon foolish assumptions. Let God help you to see what is true and what are lies. Learn to trust God’s wisdom. Your life will depend on it.
Two weeks ago, a young woman who refused to believe all the coronavirus warnings took a video of herself licking a toilet on a plane as a way to rebel against the hype! Now, others are posting videos showing themselves doing the same thing to get their few minutes of fame! How do you think this will turn out?
Two weeks ago, five students were interviewed on TV while spending their Spring Break in Florida. They didn’t care that travel bans were in place and the governor of Florida was urging people to use caution because of the coronavirus outbreak. They were partying, sharing glasses, hugging, dancing together and more. The University they attended was notified this week that four out of the five were infected. The youth had ignored their parents, the governor, the CDC, and so many more people who gave warnings about the dangers. It didn’t matter. As one of them was quoted, “The virus won’t stop me!” Yeah, right.
The scripture for today explains that there is a huge difference between “wise words” and “foolish assumptions”. Ecclesiastes 10:12 begins with an observation that “wise words bring approval”. Wise words usually bring forth a better life, good things, and rewards. Wise words, when heeded, support life and love. They are the basis of common sense. True wisdom is seen as something that comes from God (James 3:13-18). Worldly wisdom won’t cut it. God’s wisdom is essential for faithful living. Being foolish is not only unintelligent, it is ungodly.
The second verse of our reading for today from Ecclesiastes 10 teaches that “fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions” (Ecclesiastes 10:13). In the end, their conclusions are “wicked madness”. When you do something foolish, it brings risks. God wants to preserve life. Foolish living threatens to damage life. God wants to protect you with wisdom. Fools may want to have fun or be independent or do what they want, but they are taking risks when they go against God’s word.
Is there something foolish you do in your life? Are there wise words from God you ignore?
When I was going to seminary, I worked at a factory job to make ends meet. I was based out of a warehouse, though sometimes I traveled with a truckload of guys to install the company’s products. One Friday morning, a woman walked through our work area. This was unusual, since all the workers in this area were men. I figured one of the wives had stopped in to visit. I found out later that the woman was one of the workers in the main office. She was on the warehouse floor to check on an order. Over the next month, I saw her a couple of times and figured she was checking on an invoice or account.
One day, while on a break, she came by again. I overhead her talking to one of the workers. She was flirting with him! And he, a married man, was flirting back! I was shocked as this woman was not his wife. Later I said to him, “Why are you so flirty with her?” He replied, “She started it, so I just enjoy the banter.” I told him, “You are playing with fire, man. I think she likes you.” One apprentice said, “Hell, enjoy the banter. It adds to the excitement of the day!”
Several months later, I found out that the two flirts had an affair. The whole situation blew up at the man’s home and among the workers in my area. The other workers knew the man and his wife well. They did not appreciate the woman from the office wrecking the marriage. It caused so many problems that both workers quit their jobs. A divorce ensued. Lives were forever changed.
Today, if God speaks through another person with wise words, don’t ignore them. To do so may not only show foolishness but result in all kinds of evil. Learn to distinguish God’s wisdom from the foolish words of others. Be careful what you think. Base your decisions on God’s wisdom, not upon foolish assumptions. Let God help you to see what is true and what are lies. Learn to trust God’s wisdom. Your life will depend on it.