January 26, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 26
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Following Scripture Verses

1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Today's Pathway:
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Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him. - Proverbs 26:12

It seems in much of the Scriptures that you can't sink below the level of a fool. He is listed last in Proverbs 1:22 (simple, scorner, fool). The fool makes terrible decisions and has no character. The atheist is even referred to as a fool (Psalm 14:1). In ten out of the first eleven verses in Proverbs 26 fools are mentioned in very derogatory terms. By the time you get to verse 12 it is very obvious that you don't want to be a fool, or even associate with one. Then in verse 12 Solomon drops this bombshell: "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him."

Apparently there is someone who is lower on the spiritual food chain then a fool: the proud man. This man thinks that he is wise. He is conceited, thinking that all the decisions that he makes are correct ones, and that his gifts and talents exceed everyone else's. He is filled with himself and can not accept criticism or instruction from others. He is headstrong, and is unfortunately headed in the wrong direction. The Bible says that the fool has a better chance of making it than he does.

The reason for this must be that the fool may sometimes be in his condition through ignorance or inability, but the conceited man is definitely in his condition by choice. He chooses to think of himself more highly than he ought. He chooses to compare himself with others rather than with Almighty God. He chooses to exalt himself rather than exalt the Lord. And he is going to have to make the choice to repent and change.

Is your attitude about yourself placing you below the fool?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery