Choose Wisdom over Folly

Sermon Transcript

I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching a lot of cartoons. And whether it’s Bugs Bunny, Fred Flinstone, or Homer Simpson, a common device when the main character is faced with a moral dilemma is to have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. I’m sure most of you have seen this before. First, you see the angel on the right shoulder, usually a personification of the character himself with wings and a halo, making the case for the good, right, or kind thing to do in the situation. The character smiles, and seems to recognize the value of doing the right thing. But then the little devil shows up on his left shoulder – again, a personification of himself but with horns and a pitchfork – and makes the case for the devious or self-centered option. After some comical back and forth, he’s tempted and convinced to do the wrong thing, and in the end it blows up in his face and goes horribly wrong. Even as a child, I would see how this would play out and scoff at the main character for choosing the option that was certain to end badly.

We see something similar in Proverbs 9 this morning and, if we’re honest, we’re probably tempted to react in the same way. We all know it’s far better to choose wisdom over folly, and we scoff at the thought of choosing folly over wisdom. And yet, again and again, we choose self-interest over serving someone else, we seek to get away with something we know is wrong, or we cave in to temptation whether to sin or simply do something foolish.

Choosing wisdom over folly, even if it’s obvious, is not as easy as we’d like to think. In our very nature we are weak and predisposed to choose folly over wisdom, to choose sin over honoring the Lord. Add to that the layers of the complexity of our lives from the sins we have committed and the wounds we have suffered. When faced with the choice between wisdom and folly, we experience a gravitational pull toward folly.

This morning, as we consider Proverbs 9, we’re looking at the final plea of a wise father to his simple son to choose the life of wisdom. What follows Proverbs 9 are “The Proverbs of Solomon,” 21 chapters jam-packed with wisdom for our lives. But Solomon knows that, both for his simple son, and for us, the decision to choose wisdom over folly needs to be made before before he gets there. So the wise father makes a final plea to his son, which is the big idea of this morning’s passage: Choose Wisdom over Folly.

In Proverbs 9, Wisdom and Folly are personified as two women, each calling out to the simple son to join her in her house and make a life out of what she offers. We see that both Wisdom and Folly, in verses 4 and 16 respectively, extend the same invitation: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And the point of this chapter is to exhort this simple son, and each of us, to choose wisdom over folly; to accept the invitation of Wisdom and reject the invitation of Folly.

Why should we choose wisdom over folly? Through the contrast of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly, we see 3 reasons to choose wisdom over folly:
Choose Wisdom for her Character (1-4; 13-16)
Choose Wisdom for her Feast (5-9; 17)
Choose Wisdom for Life (10-12; 18)

Before we jump in, I want to invite you to follow along this morning in a physical Bible, if you’re able. If you don’t have one with you, there should be one under your seat or the one next to you, and please share with your neighbors, as needed. We’ll still have the verses we’re talking about on the screen behind me. But today, because we’re going to be contrasting Wisdom and Folly from the beginning and end of the chapter, it will be helpful for your sake to have both in front of you simultaneously.

The first reason we choose Wisdom over Folly is for her character.
Point 1: Choose Wisdom for her Character (1-4; 13-16)
Over the course of our study of Proverbs, we’ve grown accustomed to the personification of Wisdom as a woman – this was especially true last week. But in chapter 9, for the first time, we’re also introduced to Folly, also personified as a woman. The first question we need to ask ourselves is, “Who are Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly?” This passage very intentionally leads us to notice the contrast between the two – both through what is mentioned about them, and what isn’t. And it’s first for her character that we ought to choose Wisdom over Folly.

Of Wisdom, we read in verses 1-4a,
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
² She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

Then, of Folly, we read in verses 13-16a,
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

This is a stark contrast, and one of the clearest ways we see the contrast is in the use of verbs – what Wisdom and Folly do. Let’s look more closely at each of these passages.
[Display Prov. 9:1-4a again] Lady Wisdom is dignified and works with great effort and excellence. She built her house! She even put in the effort to hew out the 7 pillars in front of it. All we really need to know about the 7 pillars is what we already know – if a house has pillars, it’s probably pretty nice, and if it’s got 7 custom-made pillars, it’s really, really nice. Lady Wisdom is hard working and industrious! Beyond the house we’re invited to, Wisdom herself has slaughtered her own animals, mixed her own spiced wine, and set the table. She’s done all the work of preparing a true banquet with all the finest things. Not only is she hard working and industrious, but she’s a strong leader – she has a team of young women whom she’s sent out to call on the simple young men. She’s raised up messengers to go and speak faithfully on her behalf. What a remarkable woman!
[Display Prov. 9:13-16a again] But look again with me at Folly. Notice that she doesn’t do a whole lot, but the passage does have a bit to say of her character: she’s loud and seductive, but knows nothing. Folly just sits at the door of her house and expects us to be impressed. We’re left to assume that she didn’t build her house and, by comparison, there’s nothing remarkable about it. We also see later in the passage that she didn’t prepare a fine banquet and instead simply offers bread and water. And she doesn’t have anyone going out on her behalf – who would want to?

With this contrast in character, we’re left to wonder why anybody would choose Folly over Wisdom. The reason, as one commentator has put it, is that Folly’s “lifestyle is so titillating and morally undemanding that all she needs is her crude invitation to attract the uncommitted.” In reading this description of Folly, we’re meant to think back on the earlier chapters of Proverbs that tell us of the “forbidden woman.” Even if we know it’s wrong, there’s something alluring about Folly’s invitation. Accepting folly’s invitation doesn’t demand much of us – it may not be as luxurious as the invitation of wisdom, but it’s cheaper, it’s easier, and it’s right here.

The main reason for this stark contrast in character is that the wise, loving father’s desire is for his simple son to choose Wisdom because he knows Wisdom is far more worthy. The contrast in character is meant to leave us with the question: why would anyone in their right mind choose Folly over Wisdom?

Throughout these first 9 chapters of Proverbs, Wisdom has often come across as synonymous with the Lord. God, through Proverbs, clearly paints that picture for us, and Jesus himself confirms it. In Matthew 11:19, Jesus identifies himself as Wisdom, and then 1 Corinthians 1 (vv. 24, 30) refers to Jesus as “the wisdom of God.” In describing the character of Wisdom here and throughout Proverbs to this point, we’re meant to identify the character of Wisdom with the character of the Lord Jesus Himself.

Just as we see Wisdom described in this chapter and marvel at her hard work, generosity, and goodness, how much more when we consider choosing to follow Jesus as the true intention of choosing Wisdom. Jesus is the one by whom, through whom, and for whom all things were created. He was there at the beginning of all things, and will be there at the end of all things. And yet, even as true God, he humbly took on the form of a servant as a human. He stepped away from his dignified position at the right hand of the father and came to dwell among us. He lived the perfect life we’re incapable of living, gave his life for us, in our place, and rose again to glory, all so that we could join him in the family of God.

The description of the worthiness of Lady Wisdom is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, and the character of Jesus makes choosing any other way utterly foolish. Jesus, true God and true man, went to such great lengths to extend his invitation to us, and is worthy of us entrusting ourselves to him and dedicating our entire lives to him.

Friends, stand in awe of who Jesus is and what he’s done. And one thing this passage helps us see is that even if the choice is obvious, we need the reminder. The world around us and our deceitful hearts are full of tempting and seductive voices that would call us away from the Lord, and our flesh is weak. We need the continual reminder about who Jesus is and what he’s done to help us continue believing, contrary to the temptations around us, that he alone is worthy of our trust and dedication. Trust that the Lord is good, and has good for you. The first reason we choose Wisdom over Folly is because of her character, which is seen most clearly in Jesus himself.
Point 2: Choose Wisdom for her Feast (5-9; 17)
We’re exhorted to choose Wisdom over Folly not only based on each one’s character, but also what each offers us. Wisdom has prepared a rich feast of fresh meat and spiced wine. It’s helpful, as we get into this point, that most of us have just enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast – the feast Wisdom offers is all that and then some. It’s a James Beard Award-winning chef preparing a farm-to-table meal with nothing but the finest ingredients. No offense to my mom or yours, but I’ll choose that meal every time.

By contrast, it would be a stretch to say that Folly has “prepared” anything. In verse 17 she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” Unless you’re desperately hungry or thirsty, there’s nothing exciting about bread and water. But the way each is described helps us see that the call to feast is really a call to a way of life. Folly offers stolen water, and tells us that bread eaten in secret is pleasant. By contrast, to explain what it means to enjoy Wisdom’s feast, she says in verse 6, “Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” The call to feast is a call to a way of life.

These two contrasting feasts exemplify the things we’ve already seen in our study of Proverbs to this point. Perhaps most clearly, we see this in the four “fools” of Proverbs 6, which we studied a few weeks ago:
First, we’re warned against the fool who is risky and reckless with his finances
Second, there’s the sluggard who gives too much attention to rest and relaxation at the expense of hard work and planning
Third, we see the worthless and wicked gossip, sowing discord among his brothers
Then fourth and most ardently, we’re warned against adultery and sexual sin, that we ought not even go near it lest we be burned.

We can all see ourselves in at least one of these fools and it helps us see that even with a no-brainer decision between Wisdom and Folly, we’re still tempted to choose Folly. Bread and water are not exciting, but there’s a cheap thrill in drinking stolen water and eating bread in secret. Whether it’s the thrill of something illicit or secretive, or an over-desire for comfort, greed, or prestige, Folly has a way of enticing us by our base desires – it’s so natural to us.

CS Lewis puts it in a helpful way when he writes,
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

The choice between Wisdom and Folly can seem so obvious to us on the outside looking in. But in reality, we often relate far too much to the ignorant child in the slums choosing to keep making mud pies over a luxurious cruise. Our idolatrous hearts choose stolen water and secret bread over a lavish feast. But this goes beyond one-off decisions; again, it’s a way of life. We’ve all, in our weakness, chosen a quick stop at McDonalds over a healthy and delicious home-cooked meal, but verses 7-9 help us to see what this looks like as a way of life.

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (Proverbs 9:7-9)

A scoffer is one who has made a way of life out of Folly, and the wise man is one who has made a way of life out of Wisdom. Let’s look a little more closely at each.
The scoffer reacts violently to correction and reproof. He’s not open to correction or constructive criticism. He’s filled with pride that, when challenged, results in anger. The scoffer never accepts correction, instead he thinks other people really need his opinions; he’s easily offended and sees himself as above other people. If someone seems to threaten his superiority, he scoffs, mocks, mouths off, or denigrates them.
The wise man, on the other hand, is humble and teachable. He loves helpful correction, and he loves you for giving it. His life is marked by a continual pursuit of more and more wisdom, asking others to help him identify his blindspots and grow in godliness.

The choice between Wisdom and Folly isn’t just a choice we make once in our lives, or even a series of choices – it’s a commitment to the continued pursuit of wisdom. It’s a commitment to a way of life, marked by humility and teachability. And where that leads is the good life, a life that could be compared to a rich feast resulting in joy and satisfaction.

Friends, which feast will you choose? Or, perhaps, which way of life have you chosen? Take a hard look at your life. Does it look more like the scoffer or the wise man? How do you respond if your boss or a coworker offers feedback, especially if it’s something you’ve worked really hard on? What happens in your heart when your spouse or a close friend points out a shortcoming or area of sin in your life and seeks to bring some helpful correction?

One way I see the scoffer in my own life is in my temptation toward defensiveness, especially as it relates to my work. There are times where we’ll be in a staff meeting and a fellow staff member has a suggestion or constructive critique of an area of ministry I’m responsible for, and instead of receiving it graciously as a gift of wisdom from a trusted partner in the gospel, my inner lawyer rises up. Don’t they know how hard I work and everything I’ve done to keep this running smoothly? If only they knew about x, y, and z and how that would be affected by their suggestion! What I’m doing is seeing feedback or critique as an attack on my identity – I’m fearing the opinions of others and my own control, comfort, or reputation above honoring the Lord with what he’s entrusted to me. It could be that what they’re suggesting wouldn’t work, or that they’re not seeing the full picture – or it could be that their suggestion would lead to an improvement. Either way, I would be wise to humbly receive it and consider it instead of getting defensive. How much more joyful would my life be if that were the case! Humility and teachability allow us to freely give and receive feedback, partnering together in a spirit of love and hard work. It’s enjoying the feast instead of sitting in the corner with our stolen water and secret bread.

When you recognize the scoffer in your life, the right response is repentance. Identify it for what it is, confess it to the Lord and any others affected by it, and turn back to the wise path of humility and teachability. Beyond this, we can take a more proactive approach: who in your life are you regularly asking questions like, “How can I improve?” “How can I grow in godliness?” “Will you help me?”

Friends, the way of wisdom is marked by humility and teachability – it is a feast to be enjoyed in the company of others. Choose the way of Wisdom over Folly and enjoy the joy and satisfaction of the good life. What it costs you in instant gratification it will make up for tenfold as you live a life marked by humility and teachability, continually pursuing Wisdom.

But the choice between Wisdom and Folly has consequences beyond this life alone.
Point 3/Conclusion: Choose Wisdom for Life (10-12; 18)
The final contrast in this passage between Wisdom and Folly is the ultimate result of our choice. Beyond the joy and satisfaction of feasting on Wisdom over Folly in this life, where does it all lead in the end?

Wisdom says, in verse 11, “For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.” But for the one who chooses Folly, in verse 18 we read, “But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.” Each of our lives is on a path leading somewhere, and the choice between Wisdom and Folly is ultimately a choice between eternal life with God and eternal separation from God. The way of Wisdom leads to life and legacy, but the way of Folly is a trap that results in death. The last word here is a warning; as one scholar has put it sharply: “Many ‘eat’ on earth what they ‘digest’ in hell.” The way of Folly is more than just a bad meal, it is a path to an ultimate destination.

And the true difference between these two destinations is a refrain you may recall from the beginning of Proverbs. In Proverbs 9:10, just like in Proverbs 1:7, we read, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” In Proverbs, true wisdom is nearly synonymous with true worship. We cannot truly choose the invitation to Wisdom’s feast without a true knowledge of God and a posture of worship before him.

But here’s the good news: the invitation is open to whoever will receive it. In our passage this morning, we read, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And this offer is before us this morning from true Wisdom, himself: Jesus. In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” The entrance to the path of Wisdom over Folly is Jesus, and his invitation to us is a feast that will never end.

If you have breath in your lungs this morning and a beating heart, it’s not too late for you to make a choice. Perhaps you’ve already decided to follow Jesus but realize the tempting and seductive voice of Folly has led you to compromise in your actions and affections. Or maybe you’re finding yourself at a crossroads – you’ve been following the path of Folly and made a life as a scoffer, resisting the call of Wisdom and the feast she offers. Either way, choose today to receive the invitation of Wisdom – ultimately to choose Jesus. Today you can choose to feast with Jesus here and now, and for the rest of eternity, in perfect joy and satisfaction.

This will not be the last time you’re faced with the choice between Wisdom and Folly, but Ray Ortlund summarizes the promise of the gospel when he writes, “[God’s] love creates your wise choice, moment by moment. Then, whatever might be your next step of obedience, that bold new step that maybe you have been putting off, you will take it. You will be able to choose, and you will choose wisely, to the praise of the glory of his grace.” Wisdom and Folly will continue to call out to you, and you can recognize them for what they are, acknowledge the draw to Folly, and by God’s grace choose the way of Wisdom.

But it starts with today. Will you choose Wisdom over Folly for her character, her feast, and for life?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your invitation that is open to each one of us. May we all choose the way of Wisdom! Help us to believe that you are who you say you are – that you are the true God, worthy of all our devotion. And help us to trust that what you offer us is far better than any alternative. Lead us to the abundant life that can only be found in Christ, that it might lead to satisfaction and joy not just in this life, but for all eternity. We worship you this morning, Father, and ask you to continue to transform us. In Jesus’ holy and powerful name, amen.