Proverbs

Proverbs 26: God’s wisdom exposes foolish pride

Begin in prayer

Before we read the warnings about people wise in their own eyes, let us listen with humility. Ask God to uncover our excuses and make us willing to receive His wisdom.

“‘You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people. “‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 19:16

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the folly we defend and the damage our words can do. Open our eyes to Jesus and give us humble hearts that welcome truth. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Honor does not fit a fool, and the rod warns that folly requires correction. Two neighboring sayings call for answers that neither copy folly nor leave the fool pleased with his own wisdom. The fool repeats his folly like a dog returning to vomit, yet self confidence leaves even less hope. Laziness makes excuses and turns on the bed like a door on its hinges. Meddling, gossip and deception dressed as a joke bring danger and keep quarrels burning. Charming speech can hide malice, yet it will be exposed, and the trap made for another turns against its maker.

As you read Proverbs 26, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God’s wisdom exposes the ruin brought by foolish pride, laziness and deceitful speech.

The two sayings about answering a fool teach judgment about the purpose and manner of a reply. One warns against joining his folly, while the next warns against leaving him confident that his words cannot be answered. Wisdom may therefore remain silent or expose the folly, depending on what the answer would do. A proverb in a fool’s mouth can become useless or harmful, despite the wisdom of its words. The lazy person’s imagined lion and revolving door show movement and excuses without useful work. Gossip feeds a quarrel as wood feeds fire, so stopping the whispering removes its fuel. The coating of silver dross on an earthen vessel pictures pleasing speech covering an evil heart. Hidden malice and flattering words lead toward exposure and ruin.

How does Proverbs 26 show us that God’s wisdom exposes the ruin brought by foolish pride, laziness and deceitful speech?

God’s wisdom refuses proud confidence in ourselves.

A fool returns to the folly he has already known. The person wise in his own eyes is harder to teach still. Wise answering seeks the good of truth rather than victory in a foolish quarrel.

God’s wisdom exposes the laziness hidden behind excuses.

The sluggard claims that a lion makes work too dangerous. Like a door on hinges, he moves without leaving his bed. He considers himself wiser than seven men who answer with discretion.

God’s wisdom exposes the harm behind flattering words.

A malicious person may speak with charm while hiding hatred. Gossip feeds quarrels, and deceptive joking can injure a neighbor. The pit and returning stone warn that plotted harm can fall upon its maker.

Memorise

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 26:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what foolishness am I defending instead of confessing it to Jesus?

“There is more hope for a fool than for him.” The person wise in his own eyes refuses the correction he needs. We need mercy that reaches our proud hearts.

Jesus gave His life to rescue His people from sin. He bore the punishment their lies and pride deserved, dying in their place at the cross. He rose again, having defeated death. His completed sacrifice is enough, so no effort of ours can improve its power to save.

Give up defending your sin and trust Jesus Christ. All who come to Him receive forgiveness through His death. Ask Him for humility to hear correction and courage to speak truth. The Savior receives sinners who acknowledge their need.

Parent's note

Tell your children that being able to repeat a wise saying does not prove a willing heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for exposing proud folly and warning us about deceitful speech. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

1 Corinthians 3:18

Merciful God, thank You for telling us the truth about proud hearts. Please bring us to Jesus without excuses. Teach us to receive correction, work faithfully and refuse gossip. Give our family wisdom to answer with care and honesty that seeks our neighbor’s good. Amen.