December 31, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs - The Way of Folly
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
The compelling force and the burden of temptation are thwarted through the fear of the Lord and understanding of the holy.
Verses 10 through 12 reveal a double sided truth. On one side wisdom provides long life and personal satisfaction, on the other side, the lack of wisdom or the scorning of wisdom brings burden.
What is scorn? Scorn is an extreme contempt; that disdain which springs from a person's opinion of the meanness of an object, and a consciousness or belief of his own superiority or worth. (Websters Dictionary 1828)
In other words, scorn is idea that one knows more than God and forsakes godly wisdom. It is rejection of God and His word.
An example is given in verses 13 through 18. The temptation is presented and the burden is revealed. The foolish, clamorous (meaning loud and stubborn), simple person presents the temptation with an oxymoron. She is presenting the temptation in the high places, that means in the open for all to see yet, she compels with sweetness and secrecy. The unwise person cannot see it, does not understand it, and eventual yields, bearing the burden of its consequences. The high places are not only places of concourse but places of false worship as well, its false religion.
1Kings 14:23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
Proverbs 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
A person with the fear of the LORD and understanding of the holy will see through the temptation and spare his life simply by saying no, refusing to accept it.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself:
A person with the fear of the LORD will trust the LORD to deliver him from temptation. It’s not difficult.
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
The person who is constantly looking to the LORD and presenting everything they see, hear, experience, and every choice they need to make to the Lord is the wise person.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
My friend, don’t scorn God and the wisdom of God found in the Word of God. Let God guide you and bless you. Read your bible.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
