Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 12:15-16

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise. 

The biblical definition of a fool is easy—he is one who is not wise. Anybody who does not fear God is not wise. (Prov. 1:7, Ps. 14:1). He is a fool, pure and simple. Now this passage adds even more to the definition by introducing the man’s epistemological commitment. When it comes to truth and what is right and what is wrong, the man who fears God will rely upon God as the Source of truth. He will humble himself enough to admit that he doesn’t know it all. That man must go to the One who knows all things and completely rely upon His truth if he is to know anything at all. On the other hand, the fool has convinced himself that his way is the right way because he has rejected all ethical authority over himself.

He has rejected God, and he has become a law to himself. Therefore, he will not receive correction and counsel from others, let alone from God’s Word. Whereas the fool is confident in his own knowledge, the wise man is not confident in himself. He is only confident in God and in His truth. And so, the wise man is described very simply as the one who humbles himself and listens to the counsel of others.

Hearing is the highest first-priority for the believer. The Father introduces His Son on the Mount of Transfiguration, with only one instruction for the disciples: “Hear Him.” Jesus is brought to us as the wonderful Counselor, and any person who hearkens to Him is wise.

Proverbs 12:16

A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame. 

This verse gives us more insight into the life of a fool. Somebody once said that the fellow who can keep his cool the longest in an argument wins. There is some truth to this, because the length of time to which one holds back his wrath is a true test of character. The fool doesn’t have the character to hold back. When he is angry, everybody is going to know it right away. He reacts abruptly against any perceived offense, because he sees himself as the standard of all that is right and good. In his reaction to the offense, he cannot understand how anyone could act disagreeably towards him. He is condescending towards all
disagreement. As he considers his offenders, he says, “Who are these people that they should offend ‘his majesty,’ the omniscient, pure standard of all that is right?” His proud conception of himself is what generates those sentiments of wrath towards others who seem not to agree with him.

The prudent man, on the other hand, is careful not to express his mind so quickly, even concerning matters he perceives as unjust and wrong. If somebody has wronged him, he realizes that he himself has also wronged others in the past. He does not want to judge others with a standard higher than the standard he has used on himself (Matt. 7:1). Every day, he carries hundreds of blankets which he will toss over this fault or that fault committed by his friends and family members. It takes prudence and a spirit of mercy to cover faults. It takes a special wisdom to know when a brother is “overtaken in a sin” (Gal. 6:1), and needs to be confronted directly, one-on-one, and in love (Matt. 18:15). There certainly is no need for blustery, angry confrontations. Only self-righteous pride, unmerciful wrath, and a self-deceived heart expects sinless perfection of others—always asking the question: “Why can’t everybody be perfectly holy and wonderful right now, just like me?”

Family Discussion Questions:

1. How do we react to offenses? Are we quick to judge others?

2. How do you cover faults with blankets? What does this mean?

3. How do you feel when others are nit-picky with you, and criticize you for every tiny mistake or sin you commit? Are you one to do this sort of thing with others?