Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Those who have their eyes open know that crime in on the increase. More violent crime is taking place. More thefts are also taking place. A while back the Toronto police department advised people to leave their key fob for the car near the door so that when the thief breaks in, they can find it easily and avoid ransacking the entire house.
This was very foolish advice but it is the result of a nation who no longer fears God and has an imaginary god. When the state usurps the place of God, chaos will follow.
Over the years we have been told we must lock our houses and lock our cars. They also recommended alarm systems and cameras. The problem is that often times, the police are either too busy or indifferent to crimes of theft. The system is broken because God is rejected.
The wise man listens to God’s Word and repents toward God and trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. As a saved person he honours God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of God is that holy reverence for God, understanding that He has all authority, and His true child wants to glorify Him, not mock Him.
The fool will rage and be confident. When the twin towers came down some years back, president Bush got up and talked of the threat to the U.S. He claimed that Allah was the same God as the Christian God. He lied. A portion of Isaiah 9 became the mantra after that event. The leadership of the U.S. chose defiance against God, rather than surrender to God. The president of the U.S. demonstrated that he was a fool along with his highest officials. They acted as if they were very confident and they probably imagined they had the answer. Their answers were wrong because they rejected God.
Our P.M. also boasts of his abilities. He is a fool as well. He has proven he cannot deliver on his boasts. All he can do is lie and deceive. Sadly, too many people are so hungry for something, that they are willing to believe his lies, even though he has proven to be extremely ineffective.
In verse 17 we are reminded that the person who cannot control his emotions and gets angry easily, will deal foolishly. Uncontrolled anger leads to foolish actions. Many murders and other violent behaviour are the result of this anger. Society has no answer for this behaviour because of the rejection of God.
God tells us that the person who is out of control is hated by decent people. That person will gain a following through intimidation, but wise people will stay away from such a person. Even those who seem to follow such a person do so in fear of them, not in respect and love for them.
The simple person inherits folly. That is the result of being simple. Again this is what we see in our society today. Those who choose to follow our government are simple. They inherit folly. We have a housing crisis and a health care crisis and an economic crisis all because we have rejected the true God. The government solution is to bring in more people who will then vote for them so they can remain in power for ever. That is their philosophy. Eventually, like all democracies, a full fledged dictatorship will result and tyranny will be the end result. History proves this. Many of our forefathers fled from such a situation, and yet here we are, bulldozing our way back to the same poison.
In the spiritual realm, the simple attend New Evangelical churches. They do not listen to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Most of society dismisses this important work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit does not live in the lost. He works on the lost through their conscience. He shows them their need.
The prudent man is crowned with knowledge. It is evident that there are not many prudent people in our country. Many people have rejected what I believe and say. I am not God and I am not always right. However, I am right more often than most people in this country. I am not the only one. Anyone who will submit to the Lord and know Him and follow Him will be crowned with knowledge.
It is true that we are in a minority. Jesus warned:
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
It is time for people to wake up. However, the foolishness that permeates most people keeps them from submitting to the Lord. God is longsuffering, but He is also just. He puts a time limit on life. He has a time limit on this earth. He will destroy it. It will not be man with his nuclear bombs or whatever. God will destroy His creation when He is ready. He has it all planned out. The wise person submits to God and knows His peace and blessing. Does that include you?
Pastor Bartel