The Foolish and The Wise by Brother Duke Hansen

         In beginning this message this morning, I wanted to note something. Our culture has been all consumed with being public, up front, and in the spotlight expressing all manner of opinions or thoughts. A lot of time, there's money at work with views and likes. Those that aren't trying to be independently wealthy with their platforms, are just abusing and wasting their time typing out every inane thought in their head out into the world. Either that, or they're in numerous conversations trying to win endless arguments.

        To read all that, you know we live in a time overrun with fools. As Christians, you're called to seek wisdom in the scripture. You're to be meek, quiet, long-suffering in your walk. Many of us publicly profess our faith, but we also profess everything we think of as well. You are very capable of ignoring God, twist the scriptures to your fleshly satisfaction, and not heed any warning from above. One of the most dangerous types of people are those who completely fake the walk. They cast the appearance of a born-again believer but have an ugly and selfish inside.

        We are going to look at Proverbs 29 this morning. Solomon wrote so many wise and thought-provoking statements in this book, but we are going to focus on verse 11 this morning.

        11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

        There's a separation in scripture between the wise and the fool. What we may not realize is that you and I are often the same thing. We sometimes can be foolish and other times wise. You have to keep hold of what is reality and imagination. What does the end of this verse mean, afterwards? It's past. It's after the emotion and the moment. You have to make sure the man who emerged from the watery grave in baptism leave the old man's garments and habits in the water. You not only become a new creature, but you also remain one daily.

        In life, moments happen that provoke the fool and the craving of attention. You didn't create your vessel, but you can tear down and destroy that vessel. There should be a purpose in your life. If you go through this life aimless and bouncing off of events and moments, you aren't truly living.

        We funnel stress in our life and act on it. We have no problem being righteous in our stress. There are things light and dark moments that will try and test your resolve as well as your patience. Are you prepared daily for it? How much do you say to people that you regret right after? Those are what we call weightless words. A lot of times you think you are speaking to preserve yourself.

        Weightless words are spoken all the time. We all have been in that spot closed off from the world, spilling out our emotion with no regard for people's feelings. It's when we are able to hold our tongue, avoid the bait, direct ourselves toward things that are good to God which is wisdom.

        We react with our self in our mind. Why? Because we are born a selfish people. Being heard doesn't promise a good result. In the overused communication of venting, I will state this inconvenient truth. You don't have a right to vent. Venting is counter to problem solving. Venting is a foolish and fruitless exercise.

        How can you change if you don't judge? How can you retain your boundaries without judgement? You have to exercise judgement and not opinion daily. Our self-righteous thinking lies that our character and being is greater than it actually is.

        We read psalms and adapt our prayers to them. We don't wise up our prayers to quit complaining. Yes, we can complain but be limited in how much you complain. We should pray for wants, needs, and works in our life.

        David would begin psalms with a praise. He would open his prayers with praise. When was the last time did you praise God?

        Being born again is just the beginning and not the end. You have to get yourself awake first. Quit looking for the fictious and stay in reality. 

        Life and death are in the power of the tongue. If you know what's wrong and choose still to do so, it is willful sin. There are plenty of people this morning who still continue to ignore God's call.

        Your admission is not justification. You must have repentance. You have to forgive lest you be forgiven. What you do, it is for your own soul.

        We can learn from our mistakes. We need to recognize thar our body is a living sacrifice. There's a holy power to pain and suffering. The flesh convinces you what you're experiencing is spiritual but it's really human drama. God is not moved by emotion or drama. God doesn't get in a hurry. Our flesh is always off to the races. Slow down and seek God.