Tag: religion

The Thought of Foolishness

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Proverbs 24:9a The thought of foolishness is sin… 

This verse goes deeper than outward actions. God is concerned not only with what a person does but also with what he deliberately thinks, plans, and entertains in his heart.

‘The thought of foolishness is sin.’ The ‘foolishness’ here is not harmless playfulness, humour, or innocent enjoyment. The Hebrew ’ivveleth (H200) refers to moral foolishness, perversity, silliness in the sense of behaving contrary to wisdom and righteousness. It describes foolishness that is morally corrupt, stubborn, rebellious, perverse, and opposed to God’s wisdom. Therefore, this verse should not be used to condemn legitimate enjoyment, clean humour, recreation, or wholesome fun.

Scripture does not teach that all laughter or playfulness is sinful. The issue is moral foolishness – the kind of thinking that deliberately disregards God’s truth.

‘The thought…is sin.’ Sin begins in the heart before it becomes visible in conduct. A wicked act may begin as a thought, a desire, a fantasy, a plan, or a deliberate decision to disregard what is right (Jas. 1:14-15). This is why Scripture repeatedly calls us to guard our thoughts (2Cor. 10:3-6; Php. 4:8).

A Mischievous Person

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Proverbs 24:8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 

This verse moves from the fool who cannot formulate wise counsel to the person who deliberately devises evil. The word deviseth indicates planning, scheming, or deliberately forming a course of action. There is a difference between committing an impulsive wrong and carefully planning to do wrong.

This person does not merely stumble into sin. He thinks about it, plans it, and looks for an opportunity to carry it out. Such a person becomes known for his schemes.

‘Shall be called a mischievous person.’ The idea is that he becomes recognised as a schemer or deviser of evil. His reputation eventually catches up with his character. A person may hide his intentions for a time, but repeated conduct eventually reveals who he is.

This is a serious warning because the mind can become trained either toward righteousness or toward wickedness. The wise person asks: “How can I do what is right?” The wicked person asks: “How can I get what I want?”

Wisdom Too High – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 

Proverbs 1:7 establishes the foundation: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The fool therefore excludes himself from wisdom by refusing the very instruction that would make him wise.

‘He openeth not his mouth in the gate.’ The gate represented a place of judgment, leadership, counsel, public discussion, and decision-making. A foolish man is not qualified to exercise wise judgment because he has not learned to govern himself.

This is an important biblical principle: before a person can responsibly govern others, he MUST first learn to govern himself.

Wisdom Too High – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 

Wisdom is “too high” for the fool because he lacks the humility and understanding necessary to obtain it. The problem is not that wisdom is unavailable; Scripture repeatedly calls people to seek it. The problem is that the fool’s heart rejects the instruction required to become wise.

The “gate” was the place where important public matters were discussed and where elders and judges sat to administer justice. To “open his mouth in the gate” therefore suggests having something wise and trustworthy to contribute in matters of public judgment.

The fool has nothing worthwhile to contribute because he has rejected wisdom.

‘Wisdom is too high for a fool.’ Biblical wisdom requires humility, teachability, discipline, correction, and the fear of the Lord. The fool resists these things.

He may be intelligent, educated, articulate, or even successful, but intelligence is not the same as wisdom. A person can possess considerable knowledge while lacking the moral discernment to use it properly.

To be continued…

Wise Counsel – Part 4

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Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

These verses reveal three important principles:[1] Wisdom produces strength – True strength begins with godly wisdom rather than physical ability. [2] Knowledge increases strength – Learning and growing in truth make a person increasingly effective throughout life. [3] Wise counsel protects strength – Seeking godly advice prevents unnecessary failure and greatly increases the likelihood of success.

Together they teach that lasting success is not achieved through natural ability alone but through continual growth in wisdom, knowledge, humility, and dependence upon God.

These verses remind believers that God’s definition of strength differs greatly from the world’s. The world admires physical power, wealth, and influence, but God values wisdom, teachability, and humble dependence upon Him.

A wise believer grows stronger, not because circumstances become easier, but because God’s truth equips him to meet life’s challenges with discernment and courage. He does not rely solely upon his own understanding but seeks God’s direction and gladly receives counsel from mature, godly people.

Ultimately, the strongest person is not the one who stands alone, but the one who walks in the wisdom of God. As Isaiah declared: “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40:31).

True strength is found in knowing God, applying His wisdom, and depending upon Him in every battle of life.

Wise Counsel – Part 3

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Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

Godly counsellors are people who fear the Lord, know and apply Scripture, speak truth rather than merely what others want to hear, possess experience and good judgment, desire God’s glory rather than personal gain, encourage righteousness, and are trustworthy and discreet.

Not every opinion deserves equal weight. The quality of counsellors matters far more than the quantity.

Before making significant decisions, wise believers must seek God’s guidance through prayer; direction from His Word; advice from spiritually mature believers; counsel from those with relevant experience; and time to think carefully rather than acting impulsively.

Major decisions made without wise counsel often lead to avoidable mistakes.

To be continued…

Wise Counsel – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

‘In multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ One of the marks of wisdom is humility. Wise people recognise that they do not possess all the answers. Instead of relying solely upon their own opinions, they seek advice from trustworthy, experienced, and godly counsellors.

The phrase “multitude of counsellors” does not mean gathering the greatest number of opinions possible. Rather, it means seeking counsel from several wise, trustworthy, and spiritually mature people who can provide different perspectives.

A single adviser may overlook something important. Several wise counsellors help identify hidden dangers, better solutions, unintended consequences, and wiser alternatives.

This principle appears repeatedly in Proverbs. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (11:14).

Seeking counsel is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom.

To be continued…

Wise Counsel – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

‘By wise counsel thou shalt make thy war.’ The phrase does not encourage unnecessary conflict. Instead, it teaches that whenever difficult situations arise, careful planning should precede action.

Wise counsel involves gathering accurate information, considering possible consequences, seeking God’s direction, evaluating available options, and acting thoughtfully rather than emotionally.

Many failures occur because people act first and think later. The wise person plans carefully before taking action. Jesus illustrated this same principle when He spoke of a king considering whether he could successfully wage war before entering the battle (Luke 14:31-32).

To be continued…

Knowledge – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

Knowledge strengthens a person by helping him understand God’s Word more deeply. Recognise truth from error. Develop practical skills. Learn from experience. Avoid repeating mistakes. Make wise financial decisions. Build healthy relationships. Lead with discernment. Face trials with confidence.

Every lesson learned through God’s wisdom becomes another source of strength.

Scripture now explains why wisdom produces strength. Strength alone does not guarantee victory. Even the strongest army can fail through poor planning. Victory belongs to those who combine courage with wisdom. The language of warfare serves as an illustration for every major decision in life.

Whether facing spiritual battles, family difficulties, business decisions, financial challenges, leadership responsibilities, or personal trials, success depends upon wise planning rather than impulsive action.

To be continued…

Knowledge – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

History repeatedly demonstrates that wisdom often accomplishes what physical strength alone cannot.

A wise person may design better solutions, avoid unnecessary conflict, accomplish more with fewer resources, and overcome stronger opponents through careful planning.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of wisdom triumphing over brute force. Joseph wisely preserved Egypt during a severe famine (Genesis 41). David defeated Goliath not through superior strength but through faith and wise action (1Samuel 17). Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls through wise leadership despite fierce opposition. Jesus Christ overcame satan’s temptations by the wisdom and truth of God’s Word rather than by displays of physical power.

Wisdom multiplies effectiveness because it teaches us to work intelligently rather than merely labour harder.

‘Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.’ Knowledge strengthens wisdom. Knowledge is the understanding of truth, while wisdom is the ability to apply that truth correctly. As a person’s knowledge grows, so does his ability to make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, develop useful skills, lead others wisely, and overcome increasingly difficult challenges.

This strength is not static. It increases. The wise person continually learns, grows, and becomes more effective throughout life. The fool believes he already knows enough. The wise person remains teachable.

To be continued…