Sermon Snippet – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Part II
INTRODUCTION – We return today to the good (wisdom), the bad (foolishness), and the ugly (me). On this Mother’s Day, we could also think of wisdom as Mom and of foolishness as the girl that Mom warned you about – the bad girl or the mean girl. Proverbs 8 provides and promotes the way of wisdom, personified as a woman.
1. WISDOM CLARIFIES; FOOLISHNESS CLOUDS
Proverbs 8:1-5 pictures wisdom as standing in the open calling to all (as we studied last week from Proverbs 1:20-21). Verses 6-9 then directs our attention to “excellent things,” “right things,” “truth,” and “righteousness.” Foolishness is “froward” – that is, twisted or, as C.S. Lewis coined, bent. All of us have observed a stick in water that appears to be bent but is actually straight when removed from the water. Wisdom knows that it is straight. Foolishness, on the other and far left hand, insists that what is actually crooked is really straight. Romans 1:18-32 is the classic Biblical exposition of the world’s way of clouding the truth by twisting it into something false. Proverbs 6:23-24 alerts us to the bentness of “flattery” from foolishness (personified as “the evil woman”). Because it is human nature to want to hear good things about ourselves, we must be especially careful on this point. Encouragement and edification are appropriate; “flattery” is a manipulative lie.
2. WISDOM VALUES CHARACTER; FOOLISHNESS DEPRECIATES IT
Proverbs 8:10-11 points out that the disciplined character developed by wisdom is far more valuable than wealth. Of course, it is, for character is who we really are. Moreover, it is eternal, whereas riches end up in others pockets – and may well be a snare to them (I Timothy 6:9-11). Foolishness mocks character and “honour” (Proverbs 5:8-13). Our world often celebrates the bizarre and the perverse; God never joins in this celebration of sin. May we stand with Him and insist upon the importance of character.
3. WISDOM SUCCEEDS; FOOLISHNESS FAILS
Proverbs 8:11-16 directs us to the positive outcomes of wisdom. (As an aside, “witty inventions” in verse 12 does not refer to clever wordplay – as much as I enjoy that – nor to new machinery; it is a synonym for “prudence,” found in the first part of the verse.) One result is that we will “reign” and “rule.” Most Christians are not powerful people in a worldly sense, but in the spiritual realm – the only one that is everlasting – we will exercise authority: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” (II Timothy 2:12a). Presently, it is most helpful to know that there is nothing that can control us unless we permit it to do so. As Paul said, “I will not be brought under the power of any” (I Corinthians 6:12d). Godly success is our portion. Foolishness, though, fails to deliver what is promised (Proverbs 5:3-6). Bitterness results: the number of loud, angry, vicious people in the world is a current example of this Biblical truth.
4. WISDOM GRANTS SPIRITUAL LIFE; FOOLISHNESS DELIVERS SPIRITUAL DEATH
Proverbs 8:35-36 provides a succinct and stark summary. We have a choice, and we have been clearly warned (Proverbs 2:18-22).
CONCLUSION – An alternative title of this message ties into Mother’s Day: “You Listen to Your Mother!” Even more, though, we need to listen to Jesus. The powerfully poignant passage found in Matthew 23:37-39 draws us to His love and to His Cross. May each of us trust in Him for His full, free, and forever forgiveness, and may we grow in Him, “in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).