Proverbs: Chapter 9:

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Chapter 9: The Way of Wisdom:

Wisdom is calling out to all of us. It is right before our very eyes, yet we don't have the wits to see it. The house of wisdom is built with a firm and strong foundation, it has pillars that are placed into that foundation, no storms can tear down the house of wisdom. It is impermeable. Wisdom has prepared a magnificent meal for us within this house and has set the table, open for all who will hear the call. We often attempt to be wise in our ways, but it isn't through listening, it is through speaking. This is a false sense of wisdom, usually. We gain wisdom not through talking to someone but by listening to those who are wiser than ourselves. She (wisdom) meets us where we are in life and tells us all about the wondrous meal she has prepared for those who have an appetite for wisdom. The call to wisdom is the call to be more than just a simple person, it is a call to find the Joy of the Lord and seek His understanding. He is Wisdom. You cannot truly live until you've found wisdom in the Lord, you will always be stunted if you don't accept Christ into your life and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you. Learning to fail and knowing that God has a plan for you is the most freeing thing you can learn. Do not try to correct others on how they are living but love them (love is flexible, if you are very close with someone love may look like calling them out in love, it depends on your relationship.) The fool does not accept recommendations or suggestions, don't waste your breath. However, love them regardless of their actions. Remember, without Christ dwelling in you, you're no different than the fool. It isn't by actions you performed that Christ saved you. The wise man will hear your suggestions and recommendations, understanding that perspective is a key to life and everyone can share their life stories. The wise will grow in wisdom because they choose to listen to those who are wise. Don't be a fool, listen and understand that which you are told.

Where does Wisdom begin? It must begin with a healthy fear of the Lord. There is no other option. We must grow in our knowledge of God, He is the Alpha and Omega, the Holy One, Perfection. He created all things with his words and through Him, all things are bound together in harmony. If you want to live a full life, you must seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

The Way of Folly:

The opposite end of the spectrum is the woman (this goes the same for men) who does not seek wisdom, she prefers a life of folly. She seduces others and has no knowledge of the ramifications of her actions. She sits in front of her house and seeks attention from men. She calls out to those who pass by and seeks simple men who do not think. She does not want someone who is wise, she wants someone who will indulge in her sin with her. She is a married woman seeking to live in sin with no accountability for her actions and has no feeling of guilt within her. She will cry out that secret sex that is forbidden, because she is married, only bring happiness. She wants to be lusted after and taken into her chambers to be pleasured without any connection outside of the physical. She longs to be ravished by men she doesn't know. (Does this sound like something we have in our current society?) Unfortunately, this is rampant throughout our culture. Women do not care about their bodies, much less their souls, because they have been told they aren't worth as much as men. This is false. Women were created in the image of God and are daughters of the creator of the universe. How dare we degrade them. We are not worthy of degrading anyone! Anytime we watch pornography or abuse a woman in any other way, we are degrading them by saying: "You are worth nothing to me." Why does it take us (myself included) a lifetime to understand this? Some of us never come to the realization. Men have become blame-shifters and cowards, we cannot admit when we have done something wrong, we hide it. True humility is understanding we are broken sinners in need of a savior, we will make mistakes, but we cannot hide them in secret sin - there is no wisdom or growth there.

Dear Lord, I am filled with folly. Draw it from me, through pain if necessary, and increase my wisdom and knowledge of you. You are the reason for life and all existence, show me that you are always seeking to increase my joy, show me that you love me, I believe in everything you are, but I fall short of you in every way and sometimes it is hard to see myself as you see me. Thank you for the cross. Amen. 

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