On Wednesday, we considered the problem of listening to voices other than those who speak truth. That reminds me of the old Walt Disney cartoons where a man had a devil sitting on one shoulder speaking into his ear and an angel on the other shoulder speaking into his other ear. One voice tells me to get everything I can for myself, do what I want and be my own person. The other voice tells me to do what God wants, resist my appetites, and seek the good of others. Sometimes, believe it or not, it’s hard to know which one is speaking! But I remember my brother-in-law Mike once saying the best ways to make a decision is a practical one: does what I want benefit only me, or does it benefit someone else. So today, let’s listen to advice from the book of Proverbs:

Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table; she calls from the tops of the heights of the city: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, “Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. “Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.” (Prov. 9: 1-6)

The woman of folly is…naive and knows nothing. She sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat by the high places of the city, calling to those who pass by… “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here…Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (Prov. 9: 13-18)

Today’s passages are two parts of the same Proverb. When I read them I'm struck by the strong parallels between Wisdom and Folly. Did you notice it?  Wisdom calls out: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” Folly says the same thing: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” Wisdom and Folly sound the same—but then the message changes. Wisdom says, “Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.” But Folly says, “Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” I’m sure you can see the difference. Both wisdom and folly address our appetites. Wisdom tells us to abandon our pursuit of personal pleasure and follow and different way. Folly suggests that our pursuit of pleasure is not bad; in fact, it is even better when it’s forbidden. Then the writer gives us a powerful word-picture: Folly seems to be delightfully inviting but she’s actually an open grave littered with the dead bodies of those who have lost their way!

Today, are you hearing some competing voices? Be careful! Folly maybe calling to you, telling you to please yourself. Wisdom will be calling too, telling you to lay down your life. What will you do?