Proverbs 14:6-7 

⁶The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. ⁷Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

Don’t Stop Learning

What do you advice about learning or education? Someone advised, “Age should not stop anyone from getting education.” Truly, there are courses or degrees in school for various vocations. We should get education according to our preference. Anyone can learn to cook delicious cuisines; anyone can learn to bake pastries. Travelers can learn about new places they may try to explore.

If hassles and bustles at the airport don’t bother you, it is still helpful to have sufficient ideas about what you should prepare for. You should know how much luggage you are allowed to carry on or check-in. You should know if they provide food during your trip. You should know about things that are not allowed inside the airplane. Travelling by plane isn’t very friendly to ignorant passengers.

Someone may assert, “No! I don’t travel. I am satisfied staying at home.” Even staying home, you still should learn. It helps to learn about foods favorable to health and avoid foods that are not beneficial. And since almost everything is easier to be done online, it’s helpful to learn how to use high-tech gadgets also.

It is very pitiful and sorry when senior citizens stop educating themselves. It is not gratifying situation when they cannot help but wait for freebies. Explore new adventure. Get education. Find new knowledge of practical things that could ignite enthusiasm to keep on instead of waiting for deterioration of physical body.

Let’s reflect on what is declares in Ephesians 2:1-5, ¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Everyone disobeyed the commands of the Lord at one point, and all have sinned against God. Everyone is eternally condemned as punishment for sin. Technically, everyone is spiritually dead. A spiritually dead person is eternally condemned. A spiritually alive person lives with God forever in his heaven.

By the grace of God through faith, we believe and trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are now spiritually alive, and we will live in heaven forever. Let us seriously reflect on what it declares in Ephesians 1:13-14, ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Faith in Christ is not blind assumption. As personal proof of faith in Christ that we are alive spiritually, we behave and follow what he biblically prescribed.

Therefore, we should get knowledge and find out biblical Christian behavior in the Scripture. Stagnant spiritual life practically implies no certainty of eternal life.

The Holy Spirit lives in us and sealed our eternal life in Christ. To apply personally what we learn from Christ, we must seek inspiration of his Holy Spirit.

1.  Seek

⁶The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

The term “mocker” is commonly understood as anyone who ridicules, derides or sneers. When dishonest messenger interprets a message to match his scornful behavior, that person is a “mocker”. So, even if the mocker seeks wisdom, he cannot find knowledge. Why? Mockers interpret biblical prescriptions to align with their sarcasm instead of following or applying them personally.

In comparison, the person who is discerning finds knowledge. Knowledge comes from God. God does not randomly distribute knowledge. He determines a discerning person who deserves it. Who is a discerning person? Let us reflect on what it declares in Ecclesiastes 2:26, ²⁶To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

How easily are you pleased by other people? Are you pleased with trivial things? If practical things are scarce or limited, they can be easily pleased with surprises. But those who are sufficient in practical things, they appreciate those who listen and follow their instructions much better. God is sufficient in all things. What can please a sufficient God? Does it please God if we give his tithes?

It prescribes in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, ⁷Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God is pleased when we follow his prescription; he blesses us abundantly. The Holy Spirit helps us discern, and we give his portion cheerfully and not the amount that may cheer us. Mockers give the very least amount that makes them cheerful and expect abundant blessings. Mockers interpret the Scripture to match their foolish expectation. Stay away from foolish interpreters like mockers.

2.  Stay

⁷Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The term “fool” is commonly understood as dumb, stupid, silly or idiotic.

Foolish individuals mock, ignore, disregard, deride and hate knowledge. Foolish individuals interpret and distort the word of God to match their mockery.

Anyone can easily access to numerous contradicting advisories online. Many people are easily deceived to follow popular personalities. Be prayerful to discern advisories that may help you grow spiritually and not just practicalities. Reflect like: Does this advisory help me grow stronger in my faith in Christ?

Together, let us seriously reflect on what it warned us in Revelation 2:14,

¹⁴Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

When the Israelites camped next to the Jordan River across Jericho, Balak the king of the Moabites was anxious, so he summoned Prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. God warned Prophet Balaam not to curse the Israelites but he still disobeyed. The Lord punished Balaam together with the Moabites who enticed Israel to sin. Sadly, Balaam was a prophet who can hear the voice of God.

We’re warned not to associate with mockers in 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15,

¹³And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. ¹⁴Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. ¹⁵Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

When foolish mockers interpret the Scripture, they disobey the instructions of God. Do you accept that disobedience to biblical message is mockery to God? Every person desires to live happily. We want the best we can ever explore. The Lord is the author of life, and he prescribes the best life we can ever explore.

The hymn “Trust and Obey” explain literally how to be happy in Jesus.

When we walk with the Lord / in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey…

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey… Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay; not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay. For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, or we’ll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do; where He sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey. Amen!

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