WISDOM IN OUR HEARTS (2)

“The WISE in HEART will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall” – Proverbs 10:8

Receiving commands, instructions and corrections are proofs of WISDOM in OUR HEARTS: “The WISE in HEART will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall” (Pro.10:8). The New International Version says, “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.” Wisdom in the heart can make the difference between lifting and falling; rising and ruin.

Throughout the book of Proverbs there is so much about WISDOM’s connection to the HEART. Today’s meditation text contrasts the blessings of righteousness with the crooked lifestyle of the wicked. Most of the verses contain a sharp contrast, with the conjunction “but” separating the lines. The contrasting subjects include sons, treasure, work ethic, integrity, reputation, relationships, attitude, speech, and wealth. Essentially, the righteous person is wise, whereas the wicked person is a fool. The righteous person blesses others, whereas the wicked person conceals violence and causes trouble. To pursue sin is foolish and self-destructive!

Receiving instructions or being told what to do by authority figures is an important part of life. Parents instruct children. Teachers train students. Employees have bosses. Wise subordinates are receptive to instructions. The distinguishing virtue of the wise person is that he or she chooses to “accept commands.” To do that, means they must first listen so they can follow instructions or directions! The wise person says, “I am not the highest authority. So, when authority figures command me, I will receive those commands.”

The distinguishing vice of the fool in this verse is his highly opinionated babbling, chattering, or prating! Such persons are apparently talking so much that they don’t listen well enough. They miss out on instruction and end up in confusion, and sometimes, in destruction! The fool says, “Nobody tells me what to do! I’m the highest authority!” Throughout Proverbs, we consistently see that foolishness is made apparent by a running mouth. Wisdom, on the other hand, shows itself in quiet, restraint and listening: “be swift to hear, slow to speak” (Jam.1:19). That we have two ears but only one mouth ought to remind us to heed this instruction.

Wise people listen while fools talk uncontrollably, often without prior or deep thinking. All the talking the fool does will cause him to fall flat on his face or come to ruin. A fool talks and gets nowhere. Wisdom, on the other hand, is in the heart – evidenced through thoughts and attitudes. Wisdom affects how we think, which affects how we feel, which will affect how we act. A person who sincerely seeks wisdom is teachable and longs for good counsel, recognising that he does not know everything. By contrast, the fool is unteachable, coarse and hardened; so busy chattering that he doesn't take time to listen to wise counsel.

Proverbs 10:17 restates verse 8 in a different way: “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.” The wise keeps or heeds instruction and lives; the foolish refuses correction and rejects reproof to his regret. To keep or heed instruction is more than just to hear it. Anybody can hear instruction, but the wise person heeds it: observes and acts on what is taught so as to grow in our thinking and living. Being instructed by people who know more than we do is a vital part of life: Parents, teachers, bosses, experts, authors, doctors. God Himself teaches us His Word.

Then, there is Correction or Reproof: lovingly pointing something out in the sincere hope that the person will be built up by it. People generally don’t like to be reproved. Yet, this is the pathway to wisdom! Good parents reprove their children. Sound pastors correct their flock. God reproves His people constantly because we are works in progress. How else would we improve, but as we heed instruction and accept reproof? As Christians, we’re meant to live righteously and wisely. Let’s ask ourselves: “Am I wise or foolish? Am I receptive and teachable? Do I heed or only hear instructions? Do I act like a babbling fool? Do I reject reproof or learn from it?”