(Prov 26:9 GNB) A fool quoting a wise saying reminds you of a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Here we have another proverb that deals with the fool. This one is very similar verse 7 where Solomon said, “A fool can use a proverb about as well as crippled people can use their legs.” The Message Bible paraphrase of today’s verse certainly puts the message in clear terms; it reads: “To ask a moron to quote a proverb is like putting a scalpel in the hands of a drunk.” Why? Because the fool—the person without the Spirit of God—cannot understand or apply the things of God. I briefly explained this to you two days ago when I dealt with verse 7, but today I will further explain it by using the words of Paul. In the next paragraph the words of Paul will be in bold, my words will not.
In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth he said, “As Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” If Paul had stopped there it would have sounded like no one could ever understand the things of God. But Paul went on to say, “God has revealed (past tense) those things to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, especially the deep things of God. After all, who knows everything about a person except that person’s own spirit? In the same way, no one has known everything about God except God’s Spirit.” So let me put it to you this way. You have no way of knowing my thoughts. You can’t read my mind. You can’t know what I am thinking. However, if I had a way of putting my spirit IN you, while my spirit remained IN me, then you would be able to know my thoughts and understand me on a much greater level. Well, I have no way of doing that, but God does and that is exactly what He already did for every person who is Born-Again. Explaining this, Paul continued and said, “Now, we didn’t receive the spirit that belongs to the world. Instead, we received the Spirit who comes from God.” Why Paul? “So that we could know the things which God has freely given us.” Isn’t that amazing? God put His Spirit IN us, so that we could know, understand, comprehend, and apply the things that He has freely given to us. Paul continues, “We don’t speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit’s teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit.” Why Paul? Why not attempt to explain spitirtual things to the person who does not have the Spirit of God IN them? Paul continues, “A person who isn’t spiritual doesn’t accept the teachings of God’s Spirit. He thinks they’re nonsense. He can’t understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them.” Wow! That explains a great deal. You can’t debate spiritual things with non-spiritual people. They will always see spiritual things as nonsense. Another translation says, “foolishness.” And finally, Paul asks, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?” As if to drive home one last time the fact that human beings, in their own power, can never understand the things of God. But Paul finishes by saying, “However, we have the mind of Christ” (see 1 Cor 2:9-16).
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Spiritual things are foolishness (nonsense) to non-spiritual people.
2. When a person without God’s spirit attempts to use God’s Word it can be dangerous for him and all those around him. The chances are high that God’s truth will be misapplied and distorted. Simply put, he has no way of understanding the things of God.
3. God’s Spirit was given to us (believers) so that we could know the things He has freely given to us. So no more excuses! Get into God’s Word and grow!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for giving me Your Spirit. You placed Your Spirit inside of me SO THAT I could know the things that You have freely given to me. Your Spirit helps me to find, follow, and finish my purpose in life before I die. Your Spirit gives me the ability to read, understand, and apply Your Word. Your Spirit opens the door to divine revelation and spiritual discernment. Your Spirit makes all the difference in my life. You are a Spirit and You speak to me, Spirit-to-spirit, on a daily basis. I am Your sheep, I hear Your voice, and the voice of a stranger I shall not follow! I am led of You in all that I do and I don’t waste time attempting to explain spiritual things to non-spiritual people. The only thing I explain to non-spiritual people is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, sot they can be Born-Again of You! Once they are Born-Again, then they will be able to understand the Word. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
