The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:18

This verse in Proverbs is based on what has been said in the previous three verses before it. It has to do with the simple or naive person (whose simpleness is due to being foolish) as opposed to one who is sensible. Let's look at these two today - not just in light of this verse - but in light of the previous ones as well.

We are told that the naive or simple inherit foolishness. This is because they act like and think like fools. Going back to verse 15 we see that these people "believe everything" and do not consider where their actions and choices are taking them. Verse 16 reveals that the naive one is both arrogant and careless. They do not practice proper caution but walk headlong into evil and godless choices. They do not consider what God says about these things, either ignoring Him or arrogantly thinking that they know more than He does. Finally we see that they are quick-tempered - and because of their quick temper they act foolishly in the midst of their uncontrolled passions. They resort to evil plans and deeds - and are hated because of these things. When you consider the full picture of the simple, naive one who bases their life not on God's Word, but rather their own flawed reasoning, you see why God says that their inheritance will be foolishness. They do not take the time to think - to consider the end of the matter - to calm themsevles and think rationally about the actions they are about to take. Thus they are fools - and what comes to them is the fruit of their own foolishness and stupidity.

We are also sold though that the sensible one will be crowned with knowledge. Some call Christians simpletons and people who have a low I.Q. This is not the case - at least with the Christian who adheres to Scripture and who has gained wisdom over time. The true Christian does not shun study or knowledge - they embrace them. As they spend more and more time in the Scriptures - and specifically the book of Proverbs - they will become very wise, discerning, and knowledgeable. The word "sensible" here is the Hebrew word "arum" which means to be prudent. The idea here is that this one "takes careful thought" before doing things. He takes careful thought of his ways according to Proverbs 14:8. He takees careful thought before he acts according to Proverbs 14:15. In Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12 we are told that a man like this sees danger before it happens and avoids it. Thus this man walks with God in a way to where God's counsel is received and understood. This protects him from many things that would harm him.

The promise here is that the prudent/sensible man will be crowned with knowledge. The word knowledge is the familiar word in Proverbs that deals with our lifestyle from the standpoint of the choices we make. The word is "daath" which means to have a knowledge that gives us discernment, insight, and a notion about what we are doing - and how it will end. The word spoke of a way of living and choosing, thus it was known as the word that meant a person's chosen lifestyle. This points us to the reality that when we live by a prudent, biblical thinking and reasoning way - we will be filled with a knowledge that grants us discernment and insight. We will even have the function of "notion" as well - which simply means that over time we will just sense at times that something is right or wrong.

All this is said with the idea of being crowned with this blessing. Thinking and reasoning biblically will crown our minds with both wisdom and discernment. We will be able to know the difference between two choices - two ways of doing things - the simple idea of right and wrong. The world wants to blurr these lines of distinction. They want there to be little of no way of knowing truth of error, right or wrong. The world wants us to think everything is relative to a situation. But God's Word is true. God's Word is right. God's Word is sufficient to not only guide us in the big decisions of life, it will be what the Holy Spirit will use to guide us through every day. As we are guided - we will note that we are often crowned with the right choice - the right discernment - the right notion of which way to go. That is the blessing of being sensible and reasoning according to God's ways.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool displays folly. Proverbs 13:16

There are several words for prudent that are used throughout the book of Proverbs.  This one is slightly different than the others, and as such, is well worthy of our attention for the day.  The Hebrew word used here is "arum" which means being crafty, shrewd, or sensible.  This adjective can have either a positive or a negative connotation to it.  Here in this proverb it is taken in a positive way. 

We learn more about this word in the other places it is used positively.  In Proverbs 12:16 the prudent man does not take offense at an insult.  Thus we see that the sensibility and shrewdness shown is seen in a man not allowing an insult to be the stimulus for a reaction.  How often has a reaction to an insult gotten us into trouble?  We are insulted by something someone says - and we react.  The insult itself is not our problem - but too often our reaction to it exacerbates the problem greatly.  The insult, if left alone, would not have caused us more than a few moments of uncomfortableness.  But when we react, saying something back, suddenly the problem is ours.  If things escalate further there could be a very real problem develop that could take months if not years to solve.

The prudent man also does not flaunt his knowledge before others (Proverbs 12:23).  The wise man understands that a "know-it-all" is often ignored - and even at times resented.  He reserves sharing his knowledge for situations when he either is asked, or for times when wisdom is badly needed in a situation.  The prudent man also takes careful thought of his ways (Proverbs 14:8).  He realizes that his actions have consequences, therefore is careful about what he does and says.  He takes care how he lives for he knows that wisdom will help him have a much more profitable and pleasant life.  Twice in Proverbs (22:3; 27:12) the wise man avoids danger.  He knows that stepping into dangerous situations when he does not have to will raise the risk of injury and damage not just to his physical well-being, but also his spiritual and mental well-being as well.

The fool is said to display folly.  He does not think before he acts - does not consider his words or his lifestyle.  He is quick to do whatever enters his thoughts - and acts without seriously thinking about consequences.  Therefore his life is more of a display than a thought out series of actions.  What he displays therefore is his lack of thinking - his lack of foresight - his lack of wisdom.  He displays foolishness, stupidity, and a lack of a heart for God. 

There is a saying that goes like this, "Look before you leap."  What that saying communicates is that we should not just look at what is before us as we consider leaping - but it communicates thinking about what you are about to do.  This is what the prudent man does and yet, he does far more.  He actually thinks and reasons according to what God says in His Word.  After taking the time to think - to consider - to be sensible in what he is about to do - he then considers as well whether this action is according to the Word of God.  This is what allows him to act with knowledge - even displaying knowledge in the choices he makes - rather than just showing everyone that he is a fool. 

The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.  Proverbs 14:15

There is a way that some proceed in life that is very foolish.  The wise man considers his steps - and thinks about the actions he is about to take or the words he is going to speak.  He considers them to make sure that he does not enter into an evil path or make an evil statement.  Let's take a look at this wise man and hopefully learn a little wisdom ourselves. 

The naive man who is the focus of our verse today is one who is foolish and simpleminded.  He is someone who is very naive when it comes to the complexities and challenges that a person faces in life.  He does not think about these things - considering the best path to take or the proper thing to say.  This leaves him open to make serious mistakes and missteps in his life.  The passage here says that this man "believes everything."  This kind of trust is misplaced in a fallen world.  I remember early in my adult life that I just took it as a given that I could trust everyone.  It did not take long to be burned enough times to change from trusting everyone to being wise knowing that mankind is sinful and fallen.  What had happened was that God was taking me from being naive - to being a sensible man who considered my steps. 

To be a sensible man is to be one who is prudent.  He considers what is before him and thinks ahead enough to see what is coming.  He looks not just at the instant gratification or the instant reward - but the long term effects as well.  This is what happens when we consider our steps.  We are taking the time to seriously think about what WILL happen immediately, short-term, and long-term with our decisions.  The naive will be suckered into numerous problems and traps that are laid by unscrupulous men.  The wise man will look, think, pray, examine things from the point of Scripture - and eventually seek to make a wise decision that will bless in the long-term - even if things look a little more difficult in the short term.