What Do People Say Behind Your Back? Do they call you Wise or Foolish?
All of us want to be liked. Some try weird behavior to be liked. While some laugh at the “goofy” things you do, they say hurtful things (how dumb, stupid or foolish you are) when you’re not around. As a kid I got “beaten up” weekly. Becoming silly in class helped me avoid bullies and “cover up” my bad grades, but acting goofy got me “kicked out” of class often. I wasn’t given the choice of being Wise or Foolish until after high school.
Maybe you saw the movie “DUMBO.” The cute baby elephant is relentlessly teased by a goffy-looking kid who also had big ears. This boy acted like a jackass. When I saw this, I decided I didn’t want to be a fool!
As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly – Proverbs 26:11
King Solomon, known as the wisest and richest man to ever live, wrote extensively on Fools and Wisdom. His thoughts (below) can teach us all! However, some will not learn. How about you? Which do you want to be – Wise (avoiding life’s pitfalls) or Foolish?
| Fools | The Wise |
|---|---|
| -are loud, brash & ignorant -despise discipline -despise wisdom & instruction -belittle neighbors -hate knowledge -are blabbermouths -think they need no advise -are complacent -talk gets them beaten -turn toward death -fall for immoral women & Hell -are put to shame -are slanderers -die for lack of self control -lack common sense -get drunk -are quick tempered & angry -broadcast their folly -are lazy & become slaves -are impulsive & brag about it -are hasty leading to poverty -tear down -are greedy -refuse to work & are lazy -bring grief to their mothers -hate those who correct them -babble and fall flat on their faces -thoughts lead to wicked conclusions -commit adultery -think only of having a good time -refuse to work & almost starve -answer before hearing fully -say “there is no God” |
-are cautious and humble -are glad to be instructed -receive & treasure knowledge -overlook a transgression -seek & store up knowledge -speech is rarer & more valuable than rubies -listen to other people’s advice -are open, looking for new ideas -words keep them out of trouble -live in peace & safety -are safe from the immoral & Hell -inherit honor -save lives -will increase their life span -give good advise -stay away from alcohol -stay calm when insulted -don’t show off their knowledge -work hard & become leaders -think before they act -plans lead to plenty -build up -love to give -are prosperous from hard work -listen to parents’ teaching & commands -when rebuked get wiser still -seek wisdom, knowledge & understanding -lead to the right course of action -are saved from immoral people -lead them to do right -are diligent -listen to both sides of an argument -fear God and keep His commandments |
Wise men talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
Will you be Wise or Foolish. A change in your life now will benefit you for years to come!
Today is a new day! You can forget about failures of the past and begin anew! Remember, Jesus came that you might have life and that more abundantly. Godly wisdom will save you from evil people and give you a rich and satisfying life.
I don’t know about you, but i want to be in the second column!