Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Reading through the 31 chapters of Proverbs each month can give us an understanding of how to serve God.

Proverbs 18:1-2 ESV

¹Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.
²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

12:15

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

13:10

¹⁰ By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.

The writer of Proverbs has no patience with individualism. The proud, independent person who makes his own decisions is recognized as one who only seeks his own benefit. The work that he does according to the plans for life he has made “seek his own desire.”

The result is the life he lives. It is violently opposed to sound judgment as Proverbs 12:15 describes as, “right in his own eyes”. Chapter 13:10 takes one step further describing the fruit of this person, “nothing but strife”.

Why is this so? In 18:2 the explanation is given. First he is a fool who has found his pleasure in his own opinion and secondly when he has expressed his own opinion, though without understanding, he has fulfilled his “own desire”.

This is not to say a man such as Donald Trump never has anything worthwhile to say nor has ever done anything worthwhile. It is to say as in Proverbs 17:19, the end result of his plans will be strife and destruction.

¹⁹Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

The Lord Jesus is plain about His requirement. We are to, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. Matthew 6:33

Proverbs 17:16;

¹⁶Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
when he has no sense?

18:11

¹¹ A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.