For everything we say “yes” to, we will have to say “no” to a thousand other things. Many of those things will be “good” things. The choices on our journey to walking in the greatness of His Spirit boil down to wisdom versus foolishness.

Wisdom Works!

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: – Proverbs 9:1 KJV
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. – Proverbs 9:2 KJV

She has worked and has something to share with others.

Wisdom Delegates and Communicates

She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, – Proverbs 9:3 KJV
Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, – Proverbs 9:4 KJV

Wisdom is Generous

Because wisdom works, she has something to offer to others.

Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled. – Proverbs 9:5 KJV

Wisdom Versus Foolishness

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6 KJV

She is giving the same instructions Jesus gave us in Luke 14:26 and Matthew 10:34-37. This is not easy. That’s why Jesus’ very next instruction after these verses is to pick up your cross and follow Him (Luke 14:27 and Matthew 10:38).

When we forsake everything and everyone to follow Jesus and walk in His kingdom, people, our closest people, may not understand. Most of them won’t. We have to choose to walk away from caring about anyone’s opinion but God’s.

Love Them and Leave Them

We owe no man anything but love (Romans 13:8). This explains how we can love our neighbor and our enemies as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:43-46. Sometimes the people we love the most are the ones who hurt us the most.

Laughed to Scorn

“Father forgive them, they know not what they do!” — Jesus (Luke 23:34). Love yourself, your peeps, and the whole world God so loved enough to walk away for now.

Answer Every Man

They will come to you with a change of heart if you will stay your course in following Jesus. Then you will know how to answer every man (Colossians 4:5-6).

Control Yourself

We have been given self-control. God is not controlling people. Why would we think that we should? I have done it, and it’s horrible. I have allowed others to manipulate me, and again, it is horrible.

There is no point in trying to correct people who aren’t ready or willing to change. Period! And this is what happens when we try.

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot. – Proverbs 9:7 KJV
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. – Proverbs 9:8 KJV

We hurt ourselves and our relationships. If you are walking in God’s Spirit and wisdom, you will attract everyone! As you learn to discern by reason of use, you will know who to invite into your inner circle and who to keep at a distance (Hebrews 5:14, 1 Corinthians 15:33).

This includes our friends and family and our entertainment! Christians, guard your heart! It is your responsibility.

Give and Teach

When you have prepared yourself by hearing God’s voice and following Him, you will have others coming to you to learn. People are attracted to what they want. The only question is, “Are you prepared for the opportunities that are coming your way?”

Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning. – Proverbs 9:9 KJV

The Fear of the Lord

Malachi 3:16 tells me that those who fear the Lord know Him and spend time together talking about Him.

The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding. – Proverbs 9:10 KJV

Jesus says in John 17:3 that life eternal is knowing God the Father and His Son Jesus.

The Promises of God

By wisdom, your days shall be multiplied and the years of your life shall be increased. All of the promises of God are YES! and AMEN! in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. – Proverbs 9:11 KJV

The Unlimited Promises of God

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it]. – Proverbs 9:12 KJV

Here is wisdom. You are the only person God has ordained you to control. When you are wise for yourself, others will come to partake of your good fruit.

This is the principle behind leaving your closest peeps, houses, cars, etc. to follow Jesus and receive manifold times more in this life (Luke 18:29-30). This is also why we must learn to discern by reason of use (Hebrews 5:14). Jesus attracted some peeps who thought they were serving God but were always looking for a way to murder Jesus!

Foolishness

A foolish woman has not prepared herself with wisdom. She is calling the simple because misery loves company. Foolishness is a distraction and can be seductive to those who are on the right path. She is a deadly distraction! Foolishness cares more about how she appeals to the five senses than she does about people. The dead are her guests in the depths of hell. Wow!

A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing. – Proverbs 9:13 KJV
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, – Proverbs 9:14 KJV
To call passengers who go right on their ways: – Proverbs 9:15 KJV
Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, – Proverbs 9:16 KJV
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant. – Proverbs 9:17 KJV
But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell. – Proverbs 9:18 KJV

Go Deeper

Check out the Blue Letter Bible for a deeper study of wisdom versus foolishness.