Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
We need to make wise choices in life every day. God commands us to go from the presence of a foolish man. We already know the foolish man is the one who rejects God. The foolish man will drag down the faithful man. The faithful man will not be a faithful man if he chooses to be in the presence of the foolish man.
God is not telling us not to witness to the foolish man. However, we do not choose to keep company with such a person. God tells us that we can perceive who the foolish man is. He lacks knowledge. He does not speak knowledge. That is why a true born again Christian could never be a part of any political party. That person would be in the company of foolish men and women. If a true Christian was convinced that God wanted him in politics, he would need to run as an independent. Membership in the political parties would also not be a wise thing for the true child of God.
There are ways where true Christians can have much greater influence than what many choose. When a Christian aligns himself with fools, he loses his ability to be a light to them. Jesus spent much time with publicans and sinners. He dealt with the false teachers as well. Yet it was clear He was not part of them. At His trial, they tried hard to find something with which to condemn Him. They had to make up a lie to get the people riled up and cry out “crucify Him, crucify Him”. Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty. He knew the trial was a sham. He went along with it because he was a politician. He wanted to be honoured by the king and the people. The praise of men was of far greater importance to him than the praise of God. He would have been wise to listen to his wife, but he chose not to. He knows better today, but it is too late.
The wisdom of the prudent/sensible person will cause him to understand his way. Yesterday we talked of those who profess to be servants of God and enlist the use of clowns and do face-painting. The prudent man would understand those things have no place in evangelism. Those are tools of the world. They are entertainment for the lost, but have no place in seeking to reach people for the Lord.
A person does not need to have their face painted like a cat or some other thing. It does not prove anything of value. The same goes for the entire ecumenical scene. The prudent person understands that does not fit with faith in God. The lie that there is such a thing as an evangelical Catholic that is saved, is just that; it is a lie. The prudent person would never make such a statement.
Fools choose folly and it is deceit. That is where clowns and face-painting fit in. The world is not just creeping into many churches today. It has found an open, welcoming door into most. It is a shame to see that happening. God directed Paul to warn of the falling away that would define the last days. We are certainly seeing that.
In verse 9 we see further description of New Evangelicalism. They make a mock at sin. They scoff at those who seek to live holy lives. They assume that is something that monks might do, but not true Christians. They might even label those who seek to honour God as “legalists”.
The righteous person finds favour with God and with other godly men. It is rare today to find favour with men, but it is most important to find favour with God.
The apostle Paul found himself alone at times because he chose the favour of the Lord over the favour of men. We can benefit greatly because he chose wisely. He could be used of God to write many epistles through which we can learn many things of great importance.
In verse 10 we see that the honest person knows what is going on in their heart. In I Samuel 1:10 God spoke of the bitterness that was in Hannah’s soul. She was greatly troubled because she longed to have a son. Peninnah had children and she mocked Hannah. Elkanah loved Hannah and he treated her well. He did not have the power to open her womb. Only God could do that. Elkanah was wrong in having two wives. That in itself created a big problem.
In her bitterness, she cried unto the LORD. She knew He alone could help her. God did hear her plea and He blessed her with that son she had prayed for.
The stranger, Eli, could not understand what Hannah’s problem was at first. He assumed she was drunk. Her husband also could not understand her situation. He thought that his material blessings he gave her should satisfy her. The stranger cannot understand the joy that comes when God answers prayer. The stranger might look on and try to figure it out, but the things that affect the heart of man are very personal. Only God and Jesus understand the emotions of a person. He has the answer as well.
Hannah took her complaint to God. He understood her desire. He heard her. He had withheld the fruit of the womb from her but at just the right time He opened her womb and she had a son. She honoured God with that son. Samuel did not become an idol to her. She raised him and weaned him and brought him to Eli. She only saw him once a year after that. But she had a joy in her heart because she had borne a son.
God understands you and I better than we understand ourselves. Be sure you know Him and bring your sorrows and joys to Him. No one else may understand you, but He does. There are marriages that fall apart because people have emotional needs that they cannot satisfy within that human relationship. The reason being that they are not in tune with the Lord.
As a husband, I cannot meet all of my wife’s needs. She knows that. She will find all she needs in the Lord. The same is true for me. I do not need to look to another woman to meet my needs. My wife is the only woman I need and want. It is an important thing to be right with the Lord and let Him lead you in the way you need to walk.
Whether you are single and seeking a mate, or whether you are married and desiring a child, or whatever your desire is. Be sure your desire is right in God’s eyes. Pray to Him and walk humbly with Him and He will meet your every need. He is good and His way is always right.
Pastor Bartel