Wisdom calls me to give up to grow up. Thus, I must ask myself what I’m willing to let go of in order to be wise.
Being simple-minded is deadly. Why? Because I lack the discernment to know right from wrong. And, as a result, I make poor choices. What to do? The “simple” answer is to be wise so I can make sense of things.
The Essentials
Now, in Proverbs 9.4 wisdom is speaking. There she, Yes she, calls me to give up two related and highly-destructive traits.
First, wisdom calls to the simple-minded.
Second, she speaks to those who lack character. In short, wisdom asks me to give up to grow up.
So, what’s simple-minded mean here? Here are three examples:
One, in Proverbs 14.15 the simple naively believe everything they’re told.
Two, in Proverbs 7.7 they lack discretion in relationships.
Three, in Proverbs 22.3 the simple lack foresight, thus they don’t see problems ahead.
What’s the solution? Well, it’s to answer wisdom’s call by becoming precept-driven. That is, I’m to base my choices on the universal precepts.
In short, here’s the trade-off. I swap poor character and simple-mindedness for traits like sense-making, discernment, discretion, foresight, and self-control.
Ok, simple enough. But, who wouldn’t make this trade? According to Proverbs 9.8, those who are arrogant refuse this offer!
Worse yet, the simple are so shallow that they don’t differentiate the call of wisdom in Proverbs 9.4 from the call of the easy way out in Proverbs 9.16. Ugh!
Apply This Today!
Wait a minute! Look again at Proverbs 9.4 and Proverbs 9.16 – they’re duplicates of each other!
What to do? Become discerning that’s what! How so? Well, by responding to the call of wisdom.
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