Proverbs 9:6  Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

I had one of those, “Why is he telling everyone this about me?” moments Sunday morning.  Ya know, the kind where you’re pretty sure the Pastor is talking about You.  The kind where you think, “Hey, I have not told anyone about that.” I ‘spose those are good from time to time.  I ‘spose those are the times where it’s not the Pastor talking to Me, it’s the Holy Spirit working in me.

The message was titled ‘Forsaking Foolishness’ and Pastor Bob presented us with 6 things that describe a fool.  If I remember correctly he said there were quite a few more, but for the sake of time he narrowed them down to six.  So here is the list I have decided to name, ‘The Fool’s Checklist.’

The Fool’s Checklist:

1. A fool spreads slander
   Proverbs 10:18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
2. A fool talks too much
    Ecclesiastes 5:3 For a dream comes through much activity,  And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.
   Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
3. A fool relies on his/her own feelings
   Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,  But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
   Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding,  But in expressing his own heart.
4. A fool always thinks he/she is right.
   Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
5. A fool does not respond to correction
   Proverbs 17:10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.
6. A fool trusts his/her own heart
   Proverbs 28:25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.

It’s one of those things which reveals so much about myself.   As Pastor Bob went thru the list, each item, each bible verse;  I remembered doing all of them.  I felt like I was in a boxing ring, and had my arms tied behind my back.  Blow, after blow the verses rang in my ears – banging away at my heart.  And of course, don’t miss the wordplay here;  “a hundred blows on a fool.” I don’t want to be a fool.  I guess I should re-phrase; I don’t want to be a fool anymore.  But I am easily 6 for 6 on this list.  I have a fool batting average of 1000.

Proverbs 9:6  Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

Great…. Forsake foolishness and live.  How?

..

The Good News, right?  The Word of God. 

Proverbs 3:5 - 8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Now that’s Strength to my bones.  Lean not to my own understanding, and He shall direct my path.  God will direct my path.  Its funny how I get caught up in what I think I’m supposed to be, and not on what God knows I’m supposed to be.  I’m pretty sure I am not perfectly on the path He has for me, but I’m close (I hope).  I love that I can have confidence that God knows, that God cares, and that God will direct. 

Instead of being depressed, bummed out, and lost, I left Sunday morning like God had touched the coal to my lips.  And maybe that’s what it’s all about.  Those times when we’re sure the Pastor is talking about us.  Those times when the word cuts deep into our souls.  Those times when we are just flat out uncomfortable in our flesh because of how ugly, and sinful we are.   When we get to the point that we know there is nothing in us that can fix what is wrong with us.  When we know we are completely dependent on the Lord. 

Isaiah 6

⁵ So I said:

      “Woe is me, for I am undone!
      Because I am a man of unclean lips,
      And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
      For my eyes have seen the King,
      The LORD of hosts.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

      “Behold, this has touched your lips;
      Your iniquity is taken away,
      And your sin purged.”