He who defies all sound judgment
[Proverbs 18:1-3]
A Jewish proverb says ‘He who does not have wisdom has nothing' (Internet). It seems that we tent to think that Jews are a smart people. However, I think they aren’t naturally smart, but the result of being taught to use their head from an early age. To use their head here doesn't teach them knowledge, but they were taught how to gain knowledge. That is, the Jews were raised as wise. That is why Jews are said to have acted with wisdom on everything (Internet). So, when we talk about Jewish education, the concept that cannot be left out is the Talmud. The Talmud is said to be the culmination of their wisdom. And it is said that until the coming of age ceremony, they steadily study and accumulate knowledge and then continue the process of sharing it with others for a lifetime and accumulate wisdom (Internet).
If we look at Proverbs 18:1, the Bible says, “An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.” What does it mean? Now King Solomon is speaking of a fool who despises all kinds of true wisdom (complete wisdom, true knowledge). I want to receive the lessons God wants to give us by meditating on three things under the heading “He who defies all sound judgment,” based on Proverbs 18:1-3.
First, he who defies all sound judgment pursues selfish ends.
Look at Proverbs 18:1 – “An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.” He who defies all sound judgement separates himself from the crowd. That is, he is isolated from his friends. What is the reason? The reason is because he who defiles all sound judgement is selfish. To what extent he is selfish, he acts harshly for himself, even for his friends, and his friends fall away from him. For example, we have already meditated on Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” In other words, he who defies all sound judgment is a selfish person and can separate his close friends for his own sake. How is this possible? He can separate his close friends by repeatedly speaking his friend's offense (17:9).
We must keep in mind that he who defies all sound judgement is not without wisdom at all. He has no true wisdom. But he has false wisdom. What is this false wisdom? It is the earthly, natural, and demonic wisdom that James 3:14-15 speaks of. Those who have this kind of wisdom have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their hearts (v. 14). Therefore, he who defies all sound judgement lies against the truth (v. 14). As a result, there is not only jealousy and selfish ambition within the community, but disorder and every evil thing (v. 16). However, he who loves all kinds of true wisdom, that is, he who has wisdom from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy (v. 17). That is, a Christians with true wisdom are peacemakers in the community (v. 18). And the peacemaker is never a selfish person who follows only his own desire. Rather, the Christian with true wisdom has many friends because he loves and serves his neighbor as an unselfish person. We must become Christians with this true wisdom.
Second, he who defies all sound judgement delights in airing his own opinions.
Look at Proverbs 18:2 – “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” He who defies all sound judgement is he who follows his desire and only delights in talking about his own opinions. In other words, he delights in airing his own opinions. What does “air” mean? Doesn't it mean “air” or “empty”? In other words, the fool who defies all sound judgement enjoys pouring out his opinions in the air. He is a selfish person who knows only himself because he has a closed mind. But at the same time he is an open mouth and only airing his own opinions (Walvoord). Such a person doesn’t seek knowledge. Rather, this kind of person likes to speak to people who differ only in their own thoughts or opinions. Even Dr. Yoon-sun Park said like this: ‘A fool insists on his wish and throws away the truth in order to accomplish it’ (Park). Therefore, he who defies all sound judgment is foolish and thus gushes his own folly through his mouth (15:2). As a result, the lips of the fool bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating (18:6).
The Christian who loves all sound judgment doesn’t selfishly delight in airing his own opinions. He doesn't do that, as if pouring his views into the air. There is a scripture that comes to mind when I think about the word “the air”. That’s 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.” When I meditate on this word of the apostle Paul in connection with Proverbs 18:2, I came to think like this: ‘The Christian with all sound judgment has an open heart and loves his neighbors selflessly. So he opens his mouth and speaks with purpose and moderation.’ And I think the purpose is to love neighbors and the church is to make peace to keep the unity of the community. In order to accomplish this purpose, the Christian with all sound judgement makes his words gracious (Eccl.10:12). Not only that, but his words are always like seasoning with salt with grace. So he knows how he should respond to each person (Col. 4:6). Also, the lips of the Christian with all sound judgement is right (Prov. 23:16) and speak the truth (8:7). Also, his mouth spreads knowledge (15:7). His tongue makes knowledge acceptable (v. 2). His lips feeds many people (10:21). And the lips of the Christian with all sound judgment bring forth what is acceptable (10:32). The Christian with all sound judgment speaks with purpose and moderation to keep the love of neighbor and the unity of the church. Not only that, he likes to listen to other people's opinions, while the fool who defies all sound judgement delights in airing his own opinions. Is there anybody whom you like to just open your heart and feel comfortable to talk this or that that is in your heart? Usually, it seems that such a person is not only the person who comforts our hearts to open our hearts and speaks, but also loves us warmly with the love of God. In my opinion, there should be a lot of these people in the church. Then the church will be reconciled and the fragrance of Christ's love will be manifested.
Third and last, he who defies all sound judgement receives contempt disgrace.
Look at Proverbs 18:3 – “When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.” He who defies all sound judgement is he who contempts all kinds of sound judgment. And it is said that he who defies all sound judgment is being contempted. What is the reason? The reason is because he is proud. And because he is proud, he defies all sound judgment. And he is despised because he despises all sound judgment. Especially, he is proud so he despises all counsel of God (Prov. 1:25). Not only that, he doesn’t want God’s reproof (v. 25). And he despises his neighbor (11:12). Such a man ignores and even despises his neighbor. Therefore, the fool who defies all sound judgement will be shame. And as Proverbs 18:3 says, he who defies all sound judgement will receive disgrace as well as shame. What does it mean? It means that he who defies all sound judgement and follows his desire, and who prefers to show only his will, is reproached and dishonored. But the Christian who loves all sound judgment exalts wisdom, and that wisdom will exalt him (4:8). And because he has wisdom, it will honor him (v. 8). And the Christian who has all sound judgement will be praised for that wisdom (12:8).
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7). He who defies all sound judgement follows his selfish desire (18:1). And he delights in airing his own opinions (v. 2). As a result, he who defies all sound judgment faces contempt and reproach (v. 3). But he who fears the Lord, who loves all sound judgment, is never selfish man who follows only his own desire. Rather, as a selfless person, he loves and serves his neighbor. Also, he who loves all sound judgement speaks with a purpose and moderation in order to keep the love of neighbor and the unity of the church. Not only that, he likes to listen to other people's opinions, while the fool who defies all sound judgement delights to airing his own opinions. And the Christian who loves all sound judgement exalts wisdom, and that wisdom will exalt him (4:8). And because he has wisdom, it will honor him (v. 8). And the Christian who has all sound judgment will be praised for that wisdom (12:8). I hope and pray in the name of Jesus that we all become lovers of all sound judgment.