Wisdom Versus Folly—A Conclusion to Facing Loss with the Wisdom of Proverbs

“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” John 6:68

As we have journeyed through the wise sayings of Proverbs, I am convinced of the admonition that we should humbly listen to the ways of the Lord. This teaching is crystal clear. Warnings about foolishness must be heard. Wisdom must be embraced. We should always listen in the streets as wisdom calls; now in the pit of grief, we should be vigilant to do the same. But even more intently.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?’” Proverbs 1:20-22

Wisdom cries out, raises her voice, and speaks.

We should listen.

I have a resounding question I have asked myself on my journey: “Are you listening?” And now I ask it again. Am I—and are you—humble enough to listen in complete trust. All arrogance pushed aside, submitted to the life-giving gospel news.

A more important question is, are you content in your simple and scoffing ways? How is that working for you? Or do you want to grow in wisdom? Do you want to walk in a manner worthy? Do you want to heal? Do you care? Have you given up? Are you content to spiral into despair and unbelief? Have you convinced yourself that the only way to honor your lost loved one is to fall apart and remain in depression and despair? As if healing is an affront to your loved one’s memory. Are you drawn to simple and scoffing ways?

Or are you listening to wisdom?

The Maker of heaven and earth has the words of life. Simon Peter applies wisdom in John 6:68. He has come to a crisis moment and chooses Jesus’ way. He knows there are other ways—some disciples had left Jesus. “To whom shall we go” was in response to Jesus’ question about his disciples wanting to leave, too. But Simon Peter affirms that Jesus has the words of eternal life. He has wise words for life, including wise words for difficult journeys such as loss.

“…the folly of fools brings folly.” Proverbs 14:24

Wisdom is juxtaposed with foolishness throughout Proverbs. Folly, too, is calling out. In loss, however, you’re more vulnerable. You’re susceptible. You’re weakened by the pain of loss.

Don’t listen to folly.

Folly leads astray (Proverbs 5:23).  Folly is seductive (Proverbs 9:13). Folly is deceiving (Proverbs 14:8). Folly brings ways to ruin (Proverbs 19:3). Folly is compared to a dog’s vomit (Proverbs 26:11). The choice seems so obvious, but I know how mature men—and women, too—stumble when it comes to choosing wisdom over foolishness. There really is a way that seems so right, but in the end, it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). The root of this problem is so much worse than simple missteps or accidental bad decisions. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Fools despise wisdom.

“Did God actually say…?” Genesis 3:1

Pride is at the root of mankind’s fall in Genesis 3. Pride is the arrogant rejection of God’s voice. Pride is turning from wisdom to embrace folly. Pride needs a dose of gospel humility.

Proverbs 4:10 states, “Hear, my son, and accept my words…” “Accept my words” is juxtaposed with “Did God say?”

Wisdom or folly?

I have walked through Proverbs out of a conviction during my journey of the need for moment-by-moment wisdom. I considered that while Proverbs is not a book about grief, the wisdom is applicable to all of life, and therefore, grief, also.

On your grief journey, you have a choice. Will you listen to folly? Or will you listen to wisdom?

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.” Proverbs 3:13-14