Proverbs 14:1-19 – There Is a Way that Seems Right

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

If you desire to inherit heaven, are you going in the way that “seems” right, or in the way that “is” right? Proverbs 14 shows us that there is a difference!

Introduction

Is the way that you are going in wise?  Ask yourself: Does the way you’re going lead to having life more abundantly?

Once again, this week’s Sunday School lesson focuses on the wise and the fool, highlighting the end of both paths.  It is necessary that all of us consider the path that we are taking, especially if your end desire is to dwell in the heavenly kingdom.  If you don’t live with the kingdom of heaven in mind, then you’re likely going to miss it..  This week’s Sunday School commentary covers Proverbs 14:1-19.

Living Right in Your Soul

Proverbs 14:1 opens by saying, “The wise woman (or every wise woman) builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”  

So, in other words, every wise woman will make sure her house is in order.  If she has children, a wise woman is going to make sure that her children are well cared for and happy.  If she has a husband, a wise woman will make sure that her husband is cared for and happy.  At the same time, a wise woman will also make sure that she is cared for and happy.  

Happiness in the home is of great importance to a wise woman.  Sure, the outward appearance may mean much to the wise woman, but what’s happening in the home is of great importance.  You see, the home is where there is life, comfort, and joy, and that is what she seeks.  The foolish woman destroys a home from the inside.

So, there is a metaphor that is being spoken of in this opening verse.  The home represents the soul, and like a wise woman, all of us must ensure that we’re living in a manner that brings comfort and joy to our soul.  So, how do we do that?

Well, let’s take Deborah, the prophetess, for example.  In Judges 4-5, we are told of Deborah’s story, and she was a woman who walked with the Lord.  Because she walked with the Lord, she did not fear Israel’s enemies as Barak did.  In fact, her faith and courage stirred up Barak to move so that Israel could defeat their enemies, rather than remain oppressed.

Proverbs 14:2 states, “He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.”

Saul and David are other examples of what keeping an upright home looks like and doesn’t look like.  Saul, the first king of Israel, was a man who, in his first year, did all that the Lord had instructed him to do.  However, after his first year, Saul began to defy God’s instructions to live according to his instructions.  Because of his disobedience, the throne was taken from Saul and his house (1 Sam. 15:26-29).

David, on the other hand, was a man after God’s own heart.  Now, David was not perfect, as he committed a terrible sin, committing adultery with Bathsheba and then sending her husband to the front lines of battle to cover his sinful deed.  However, after being rebuked by the prophet Nathan, David did the opposite of Saul by seeking God’s mercy (Ps. 51).

For one to keep their house, their soul, in the way that is right, one must look to the Lord and heed His word.  Jesus taughtthat those who hear His teachings and does them are like a wise man who built their house on the rock and survives the storms of life (Matt. 7:24-25).  The storms of life are all of our trials, tribulations, afflictions, infirmities, and adversaries we face, which include the devil himself. 

However, Jesus also said that those who disregard His teachings is as one who builds his houses on sand, and they fall when the storms of life beat against them (Matt. 7:26-27).  A house built on sand is a house that is built on a weak (or loose) foundation.

So, to endure all that life will throw your way, you must build your soul up on a strong foundation.  What foundation is there that is stronger than the word of God?

This proverb is a proverb about life and death, spiritually, rather than physically.  The life you live today will affect your spiritual tomorrow and where you will dwell eternally.  God will judge the construction of your house, and if your house is not built on the foundation of His word, it will fall down.  

Proverbs 14:3 pointedly says, “In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.”  People like Saul were destroyed because of their pride.  However, people like Deborah and David persevered because they humbled themselves and followed God’s direction.  So, if you desire to dwell with the Lord for everlasting life in His kingdom, humble yourself and heed His instruction.

Live in Truth

As we move forward, Proverbs 14:5-9 highlights truth and lies.  The proverb states, “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies.”  The proverb states that a scoffer will seek wisdom but won’t ever find it, and that one who desires to find wisdom ought to go from the presence of a foolish man when you don’t perceive that he has knowledge.

This proverb raises the question: Which is better, living in truth or living in lies?  Now, you may think to yourself, ‘Pastor, that’s an easy question to answer.  It is better to live in truth.’  Yet, as the saying goes, “Ignorance is bliss.”

Do you know what it means that ignorance is bliss?  Jesus said to the apostles, “If I had not come and spoken to [those of the world], they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin (John 15:22).”

When one doesn’t know that they are in the wrong, one will happily continue in their wrongdoing, believing they are just in their living.  Everyone loves to feel they are right in how they are living.  The truth, however, takes away the idea that one is perfect; it corrects us so that we can walk in an upright manner.  

Sadly, many of us, like Ahab, don’t want to hear about when we are in the wrong.  One who doesn’t like to hear they are in the wrong is one who is prideful.  As I said in the lesson – Humble Wisdom Instructs Prideful Folly – such pride blocks growth.  We all must grow because we’re all sinners who fall short of the glory of God.

The kingdoms of Israel and Judah are examples of what happens when one chooses to live a lie rather than heed the truth.  Believing they were righteous and heeding the lies of false prophets led both kingdoms to be conquered.

The End of the Foolish Heart’s Way

What do you suppose is the end of one who believes in their heart that their way is better than God’s way?  You see, when one refuses God’s rebuke, that is the suggestion they are making:  they know better than God.

Sin mocks the fool

The proverb says, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.  Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor (Prov. 14:8-9).”

I really want to highlight, “Fools mock at sin” because there is a double meaning to this statement.  The fool, having disregarded God’s wisdom, doesn’t believe in sin.  Keep in mind, the fool does not believe they are living sinfully; they are right in their own eyes.  So, the fool mocks the idea of sin because, in their eyes, they are perfect, having no guilt.  Not only do they mock sin, but in their pride, they also mock the Lord as well.

However, while the prideful fool mocks sin, sin is also mocking the fool.  Sin mocks pride, and the reason why is because sin knows its citizens!  Sin knows who it has a rule over and is happy when one does not realize they are living in its chains.  

I want to point out two things that many of us don’t consider when it comes to sin and it being a master.  In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters; we cannot serve God and mammon.  Mammon is that which is of the world, which one obtains through sinful works.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciple indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Jesus spoke of one being set free from the chains of sin by heeding His word – the truth.

Living in truth keeps one away from destruction.  Heeding God’s way leads us to become righteous, and this pleases the Lord.  It will always be better for you to put forth the effort of heeding God’s rebuke and making correction, rather than disregard it, believing you don’t need to heed God’s rebuke.  

Death awaits the prideful fool

When you’re so prideful as to think that you don’t need to heed God’s rebuke, you’re saying you are happy to remain in sin’s custody.  Again, I ask: What do you suppose is the end of one who believes it is better to remain in sin’s custody than to live under the care of God?

Proverbs 14:11 states, “The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.”  The house of the wicked will never stand, as God is set to judge and cast it into outer darkness.  This has been a promise of the Lord since before the garden, when Satan and the angels who joined him revolted against God and were cast down.  

Did you know that the place we call “hell”, the everlasting life, was prepared for the devil and his angels?  When He judges the nations after the Great Tribulation, Matthew 25:41 shows that in His judgment of the sinners of the Great Tribulation, Jesus was cast them away.  Jesus will say, “‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

The everlasting fire, or outer darkness, is the end of the line for the soul of the sinner.  Being cast away from God’s presence is the second death.  Does this have to be the case?  Absolutely not.

Proverbs 14:12 tells us that when one continues down the path that seems right, its end is the way of death – the spiritual death.  When I reference this proverb in either my sermons, bible studies, or lessons like this one, I always like to point out “seems right”.  The way is not right, but it seems right to some.

The Way That Is Right

Now, there is a way that is right, and it is a way that leads to life.  In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  

The fool can seek for life, but they shall never find nor be able to live it if they do not come to Christ.  The prideful fool believes they are already living life, but the life they live is a temporary life.  

Proverbs 14:14 states, “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.”  To truly be satisfied in the soul, one must look to the Lord.  Otherwise, the heart, that is to say the soul, will go unsatisfied.  

I will circle back to Proverbs 10:10, which states, “The heart knows its own bitterness.”  What is truly sad is that many prideful people feel it in their soul that they are unsatisfied, but because they are too prideful to turn to the Lord, they keep seeking that which cannot satisfy the soul. 

I genuinely believe that this is the reason why many of those who are wealthy but don’t turn to the Lord are constantly trying to add to their riches:  their earthly treasures aren’t doing anything for their soul.  Again, true satisfaction comes from above – lean on the Lord and depend on Him.

The End of The Wise Heart

Our lesson comes to a close by showing by putting into perspective the two ending paths of the wise and foolish heart.  These closing verses should certainly cause one to consider their path.  As Proverbs 14:15 states, “The simple (the fool) believes every word, but the prudent (cautious) considers well his steps.”

What steps should one consider?  Proverbs 14:16 tells us that one should begin with whether or not they live in a manner of fearing the Lord.  Those who are truly wise fear God, and again, they live in a manner that honors the Lord.  The fool, however, is proud and self-righteous.  So, consider your way:  Do you fear God’s judgment or do you disregard His judgment, believing you are already perfect?

Proverbs 14:17 then warns against being quick-tempered because that causes one to act foolishly.  So, again, one ought to think through their ways – be prudent.  Those who are prudent, Proverbs 14:18 tells us they are crowned with knowledge, but the simple (the fool) will inherit folly.  Inheriting folly speaks of inheriting what has been promised to the devil and the angels who chose to follow him.

In the end, Proverbs 14:19 speaks of how the evil will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.  In the end, those who lived wisely will reign with Christ for everlasting life.  The wicked will be cast into outer darkness, where they will be sat with what they chose to give up for sin.