Proverbs 10:8-10 

⁸The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. ⁹Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. ¹⁰Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Breakfast

            Somewhere in Asia, the church staffs agreed for a change of venue to have breakfast fellowship in a local restaurant. And part of their breakfast fellowship, one staff was assigned to share a devotional message. The said staff was late for half an hour. The other staffs waited patiently while they ate their breakfast.

            Eventually, the person who was assigned to share a devotional message at the breakfast fellowship arrived and ate breakfast. After finishing her food she said, “Our lesson today is about integrity.” She went on and explained integrity to the group. One staff was puzzled, “Does she understand what integrity is? Or, did she intentionally arrive late as practical illustration of what integrity is not?”

            Christ warned in Matthew 23:3, ³You must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

            It can certainly confuse when behavior is opposed to what they teach. We have to be prayerfully careful not to blindly follow anybody. It is very essential to be familiar with the Scripture to know exactly what the Lord wants us to do.

And, it is wise actually to listen carefully to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

1.  Wise

⁸The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

            The heart is supposed to be central at making decision. Whatever controls the heart, there goes the person’s decision. If the heart is filled with gratitude, the action of the person expresses thankfulness. If the heart is filled with concern, the behavior of the person would most likely communicate any concern that occupied his heart. If the heart is filled with worries, is it easy for anyone to disregard it?

            Worries can either help us realize if we are wise or not yet. The wise pay attention to godly commands. To disregard the commands of the Lord is not wise.

            The Lord Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 6:31-34, ³¹Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

            Why did the Lord command us not to worry? It is because our instinct is to worry. Naturally, we worry about needs. Even people who have material things worry about how to maintain their social status. But if we prioritize the Lord to preside over our heart and mind and seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, he will certainly provide all those things that suppose to cause us to worry about.

We can be wise to pay attention when by faith we let Christ performs in us and through us. Let’s reflect on what John 7:2-5 says, ²When the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, ³Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. ⁴No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

            When his brothers told him to go to Judea, they may have assumed that Jesus did not know what he should do. They tried to lecture him. Aren’t many of our prayers suggest that we know what we need? But God knows what is best for us.  Throughout the Gospels, Christ never did anything, if it implies that he did not know what he should do. In comparison, it says in Mark 10:51-52, ⁵¹“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” ⁵²“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

            The blind man implied that he believed Jesus can make him see again. And that was exactly what Christ did. Christ does anything that he knows would help us grow in our faith in him. Certainly, he knows that when we worry, we do not trust him. So, to obey Christ as practice of faith is wise. And to worry is not wise.

It’s wise to ask Christ for his help, and we can walk with integrity. Agree?

2.  Walk

⁹Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

            To walk in integrity is to behave honestly and live with decency. Crooked path pertains to dishonest and deceitful activities. And corrupt practices will be penalized. Of course, the foolish won’t pay attention to such warning because he won’t pay attention to consequences, but the wise prefers to behave properly.

Crucifixion

            At the crucifixion of Christ, two criminals were also crucified. One of them insulted him in Luke 23:39-43, ³⁹“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

            Many prisoners are not ready to admit their faults. But faith in Jesus Christ had caused the criminal to admit his need of a Savior in Jesus Christ. In contrast, the other criminal maliciously insulted Christ, and he may even wink his eyes. It signals not very amusing intention when someone maliciously winks his eyes.

3.  Wink

          ¹⁰Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

            Do you suspect it when dishonest people maliciously wink their eyes? Wink signals deceitful scheme. Chattering and arrogant fool have dishonest intentions. But don’t they know that the end result of their deceitful schemes ruins them? The arrogant fool cannot conceptualize it. If he is wise, he would avoid it for sure.

Table Dance

            The internet publishes numerous videos of careless individuals.  Arrogant people get instant justice. They hurt themselves for their insensitive activities. Foolish individuals want to show off; when they get drunk, they may dance on the table and hurt themselves or even fracture their bones. There are also motorists who are hurrying; they try to disregard traffic regulation, but when law enforcers apprehend them, they were late to their appointment instead. What else?

            Arrogance is very common among boxers or individuals who compete in martial arts and combat sports. Maybe, they try to intimidate their opponent. 

            Arrogance and intimidation is worldly behavior. We have to be aware, and we should behave properly. It warns us in James 4:6-8, ⁶“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” ⁷Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

The proud won’t acknowledge the sovereignty and power of God. We have tendencies to be proud. To be humble and submit to the Lord, we ask his help.

Humility is fruit of the Holy Spirit.

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