April 22, 2026 -- Proverbs 9:13-18 -- Is your life producing fruits of folly or wisdom?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

13  The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
14  She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15  calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17  “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18  But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Proverbs 9:13–18.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
In Proverbs there are two paths, wisdom and folly. At various times, each one is depicted as a woman. Wisdom is industrious, gracious, and the guardian of one’s life. Folly is the natural state of every person. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child” (Proverbs 22:15a). No one is born wise. No one is born doing the right things. As I’ve often said to my new-to-the-faith students, “I never had to teach my children to lie or disobey me”. Guessing no one had to train you in sin either?! Yep. Thought so. In fact, “the rod of discipline drives it [folly] far from him” (Proverbs 22:15b). Only the warnings of the Bible matched with the discipline of the LORD will drive sinful, folly from our souls and minds and actions.
 
Parents, adults, dear family in Christ, how are you living? How are you spending your time? What are you spending your money on? Are you faithful in church attendance? Are you diligent in reading the Word? Your children, your fellow congregants, your brothers and sisters in Christ, co-workers all are watching you. Where you go, what you do, proves if you are following your own desires and so going down to Folly’s house, seduced by your selfish desires and wants. Or, if you know how to govern yourself, to walk in wisdom and die to your old desires, your old patterns, and walk in the way of wisdom. She says, “all who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:36b). It isn’t your words, but it is your actions which prove your ultimate loyalty.
 
Wisdom and Folly are played out in your everyday decisions. Will you spend time reading the word of God? Will you pray to God, through-out the day, knowing He is your glorious Father. Will you bless God for taking you from the realms of death and self-destruction and bringing you safe into the Kingdom of Son He loves? Will you, in the strength of the Holy Spirit stand up against the herds of people who, lacking sense, rush to fulfil every foolish desire, with no reference to how it is destroying their soul and preparing for them a place among the dead (that is what “Sheol” means).
 
God our Father is training us to say “no” to sin and embrace the path of life. What we do impacts everyone around us. Secret, foolish thoughts in the heart, lead to open acts of folly. If your thoughts are already so in the grip of foolishness your acts and words will be steeped in foolishness. If, however, you are storing up wisdom deep in your heart, your words and actions will be wise. Your every act of wisdom will bear fruit, leading to greater acts of wisdom.
Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ, You have made us Your beloved sons and daughters. By the glorious power of Your Spirit, continually pour into us a holy desire to know You better, to ravenously read the Word, to speak with You in formal times of prayer as well as informally through-out the day continue that conversation of devoted love. By our words, thoughts, and deeds, confirm to our own souls the fact we are Yours. Make us quick to recognize any indwelling sinful impulses and to root them out. Let our lives shine for Jesus, so that many around us will be drawn to You. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/yxCb6l3jkis?si=Jed9M2T5QFPV1o2L I Am Not My Own
 

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