12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. 9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. 12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. 28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
(Proverbs 12 )
Jim was once a pirate/lawyer. Then his life fell apart and God put it back together again. Now he leads Celebrate Recovery at Fellowship. (Cool place. Cool people.) He and his rock star wife, Leigh, live in Little Rock with their cat, Mr. P. Most interesting thing on Jim’s iPod: a collection of Russian and Greek Orthodox Church chants. Funny thing is, Jim doesn’t understand Russian or Greek.
In Proverbs 12:15, Solomon teaches that “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
For a long time I was very effective at being a fool. Not surprisingly, this was also a time in my life when I had no one who I could be gut-level honest with and receive sound advice from in return. Then I began experiencing difficult life consequences for my poor life choices. My misery finally exposed my foolishness. I joined a ministry here at Fellowship called Celebrate Recovery and found some men I could be rigorously honest with who in return loved me with their honest advice. I knew I was beginning to change when, facing a difficult set of circumstances, I said to a friend “I don’t know what to do.” Living as the fool, you would never have heard those words come out of my mouth. (As the fool, I always knew what to do. At Celebrate Recovery we call it “self will run riot.”)
My prayer is that if you are presently playing the part of the fool, you will find a trustworthy brother or sister in Christ from whom you can receive Godly wisdom. If you have been the fool in the past and found wisdom through God and his church, pass it on, seasoned with love.
Grace & Peace Fellowship.
I have to admit that I am always surprised to find late in the day that I could still be the first to comment. In such a large body of believers. Even in a much smaller body of our close friends and fellow CR believers I am surprised that no one has written in to at least have some fun with the pirate/lawyer. As a one time fool (that sometimes slips back into foolishness) I am still vexed with anxiety from time to time. The pace and intensity of the week sometimes begins to pile up and by Friday I am vexed. Thank God for CR, and my brothers that I can trust. and worship with. By the time TIm and the band have cranked up a song or two, I feel the anxiety draining away, and the peace of God coming on. The good words make me glad. Deep in my heart glad. Thank you God.
It wasn't that long ago that I knew everything, and survival was the name of the game on a daily basis. There was not a situation that existed that I couldn't lie my way out of, until, of course, I got caught. Much like the sermon said today…and then I found CR, which taught me a new way to live. As a result of being honest with not only myself, but with God and others at CR, I found the unconditional love of Christ that reached into the depths of my soul and found my brokenness and is making me whole. Now, when something happens, I pick up the phone and call my wise counsel, much like Solomon and David did (of course without the phone:) in the bible, it allows truth to be spoken into my life and helps keep me on solid ground when the enemy would have me lean upon my own understanding which is a death trap, one that that I know all too well. I thank God for my sisters and family at CR, for this new way of life, the abundant life that is our gift here on earth.