Do not become the fool!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
(Proverbs 29:9 (NIV))

I have seen this verse show up a lot this evening. Most of the references have been a direct reference to the Vice Presidential debate.

One translation puts it more in context.

When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish,
the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
(Proverbs 29:9 (CEB))

Stop to think about this verse and the current state of our nation and our world.

How many times have we played the part of the fool and laughed at something that we should have taken seriously? How many times has our government laughed or scoffed at something that is later discovered to be important. History shows us several examples. Hitler. Japan. We may even be looking at another example unfolding with Iran.

I have a serious question for you to consider.

What if we play the fool and ignore our faith? Something was said in tonight’s debate where both men claimed to believe in the sanctity of life. One said that he did not believe that it was his place to force his beliefs on others. In other words, he compromised his beliefs in what he stated was a core faith issue to him.

To me, this sounds like it is a denial of faith and the following may apply.

“Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
(Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV))

I am not trying to get political. I simply and honestly think that the words written in Matthew are meant to tell each of us that if we truly know Jesus, then we will not compromise our faith. If we follow Jesus, we are to do as He did. He did not ignore wrongdoing and sin. He confronted it. He confronted it out of love. He did not change His position or ignore His position when it was not politically correct.

Jesus did not change to please man!

He stayed true to what he knew God was calling Him to do.

Have you been true with what God has been calling you to do?

Have you laughed or scoffed at this calling?

Have you ever ignored what you knew to be true to be politically correct?

Has this become a personal denial of faith for you?

What happens if you deny the teachings? Does that mean that you deny the teacher? If we deny the teacher, the teacher will not know us.

If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
(Proverbs 29:9 (NIV)

Stay true to God’s Word. Do not become the fool! Put Jesus first!

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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