The One Who Rejects All True Wisdom

(Proverbs 18:1-3)

There is a Jewish proverb that says, "He who has no wisdom has nothing" (internet). We often think of Jews as a very intelligent people. However, they are not inherently more intelligent; rather, they are taught from an early age to use their minds. The phrase "using the mind" does not mean simply being taught knowledge, but being taught how to acquire knowledge. In other words, the Jewish people are raised to be wise. Therefore, it is said that they act with wisdom in everything they do (internet). When we talk about Jewish education, one concept that cannot be left out is the Talmud. The Talmud is a compilation of their wisdom, and it teaches that, through consistent study and accumulation of knowledge until they reach adulthood, one should continue sharing and growing in wisdom throughout their life (internet).

In Proverbs 18:1, the Bible says: “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.” What does this mean? King Solomon is speaking about the foolish person who despises all true wisdom (complete wisdom, true knowledge). Today, I want to meditate on this verse under the title “The One Who Rejects All True Wisdom”, and reflect on three points to learn the lesson that God wants to teach us.

First, the one who rejects all true wisdom follows his own desires.

Let’s look again at Proverbs 18:1: “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.” The one who rejects all true wisdom isolates himself from the group. That is, he is isolated from his friends. Why is this? The reason is that the one who rejects all true wisdom is selfish. How selfish is he? He is so selfish that, for his own sake, he treats even his friends harshly, causing them to distance themselves from him. A good example of this can be found in Proverbs 16:28, which we have already meditated on: “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This means that the person who rejects all true wisdom, being selfish, can even divide his closest friends for his own benefit. How is this possible? It is because he repeatedly speaks of his friend's faults, which leads to division (17:9).

Dear ones, we must remember this: the one who rejects all true wisdom is not entirely without wisdom. He may not have true wisdom, but he has false wisdom. What is this false wisdom? It is the worldly, sensual, and demonic wisdom described in James 3:14-15. Those who possess this earthly wisdom harbor bitter envy and strife in their hearts (3:14). Therefore, the one who rejects all true wisdom boasts and lies against the truth (3:14). As a result, there is only envy and strife in the community, along with confusion and every evil work (3:16). However, the one who loves all true wisdom, that is, the one who possesses wisdom from above, is filled with purity, peace, gentleness, mercy, and good fruits, and is without partiality or hypocrisy, as James 3:17 says. The Christian who possesses true wisdom is a peacemaker in the community (3:18). And the peacemaker is never a selfish person who follows only his own desires. On the contrary, the Christian with true wisdom is selfless, loves and serves his neighbor, and as a result, has many friends. We must become such Christians who possess true wisdom.

Second, those who reject all true wisdom delight in expressing only their own will.

Look at Proverbs 18:2: "A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind." Those who reject all true wisdom, following their own selfish desires, take pleasure only in expressing their own will. The original meaning of the word "reveal" in this verse is "airing". What does "air" mean? Doesn’t it mean "air" or "the void"? In other words, the foolish person who rejects all true wisdom enjoys spilling his will into the void of air. He has a closed mind, not knowing anything beyond himself, but at the same time, his mouth is open to reveal his own will (Walvoord). Such a person does not seek knowledge. Instead, he enjoys talking only about his own thoughts or opinions to others. In fact, Pastor Park Yun-seon even said this: "The fool clings to his own desires and abandons the truth to enforce them" (Park Yun-seon). Therefore, the one who rejects true wisdom speaks foolishness from his own mouth (15:2). As a result, the lips of a fool stir up strife, and his mouth invites punishment (18:6).

Dear friends, the Christian who loves all true wisdom does not selfishly express only his own will. He does not pour out his opinions into the void, as the fool does. Speaking of "the void," I am reminded of a Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 9:26: "Therefore, I run in such a way as not without aim; I box in such a way as not beating the air." As I meditate on this statement of the Apostle Paul and relate it to Proverbs 18:2, I come to this thought: "The Christian who possesses all true wisdom has an open heart and loves his neighbor selflessly. He opens his mouth to speak with purpose and moderation." I believe that this purpose is to love the neighbor and maintain the unity of the church, fostering peace. To achieve this purpose, the Christian who possesses all true wisdom speaks with grace (Ecclesiastes 10:12). Moreover, his words are always seasoned with grace, as salt seasons food. He knows how to respond to each person appropriately (Colossians 4:6). Also, the lips of the Christian with true wisdom are honest (Proverbs 23:16), and they speak the truth (8:7). His mouth spreads knowledge (15:7), and his tongue dispenses wisdom generously (2:2). His lips teach many people (10:21). Furthermore, the lips of the Christian with true wisdom know how to make others glad (10:32).

In this way, the Christian who possesses all true wisdom speaks with purpose and moderation to uphold love for his neighbor and maintain the unity of the church. Moreover, unlike the fool, who delights only in expressing his own will, the Christian with wisdom enjoys hearing others' opinions.

Do you ever find yourself in a conversation with someone who just naturally opens your heart? These people don't just help us open up and speak comfortably, but they also love us with God's love, bringing warmth and peace. Personally, I think the church should have many such people. When there are many of these people in the church, it will be a place of harmony, and the fragrance of Christ’s love will be evident.

Finally, third, those who reject all true wisdom will receive contempt and disgrace.

Let’s look at today's passage, Proverbs 18:3: "When the wicked comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace comes reproach."

The one who rejects all true wisdom is the one who despises (contempt) all true wisdom. And the Scripture tells us that the one who despises wisdom will be despised. Why is this the case? Because the person is proud. Because of their pride, they despise all true wisdom, and in despising wisdom, they themselves will be despised. Specifically, the proud person who despises all true wisdom rejects God's teachings (Proverbs 1:25). Not only that, but they also do not accept God's rebuke (v. 25). They despise their neighbor (Proverbs 11:12). Such a person ignores and even despises their neighbor. Therefore, the foolish one who despises all true wisdom will face shame. As we see in Proverbs 18:3, the one who despises all true wisdom will receive not only shame but also disgrace (disrespect).

What does this mean? It means that the person who rejects all true wisdom, following their own desires and seeking only to express their own will, will be reproached and will endure disgrace.

However, the Christian who loves all true wisdom, by lifting up wisdom, will be exalted by it (Proverbs 4:8). And by embracing wisdom, that wisdom will honor them (v. 8). The Christian who possesses all true wisdom will be praised according to that wisdom (Proverbs 12:8).

I want to conclude with a reflection on the Word. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). The one who rejects all true wisdom follows their own desires (Proverbs 18:1). They are pleased only to express their own will (v. 2). As a result, the one who rejects all true wisdom will face contempt and disgrace (v. 3).

But the one who fears the Lord, the one who loves all true wisdom, is never a selfish person who follows only their own desires. Rather, they are selfless, loving and serving their neighbors. The one who loves all true wisdom speaks with purpose and moderation, always seeking to maintain the love for their neighbors and unity within the church. Moreover, unlike the foolish one, who delights in only expressing their own views, the one who loves all true wisdom enjoys listening to others' perspectives.

The Christian who loves all true wisdom, by lifting it up, will be exalted by it (Proverbs 4:8). And by embracing wisdom, that wisdom will honor them (v. 8). The Christian who possesses all true wisdom will be praised according to that wisdom (Proverbs 12:8).

My prayer is that both you and I become people who love all true wisdom, in the name of Jesus. Amen.