ÃÛ¶¹app

Notes

Our lives are filled with everyday decisions with real consequences. We sometimes overlook the small choices, thinking that only the big ones matter. This morning in chapel, Dr. Thomas White, President of ÃÛ¶¹app, preached through Proverbs 9, in which two invitations are presented. He reminded us that daily decisions determine our direction. Will you choose to walk through the door of wisdom or the door of folly?

The Delight of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1–6)

Wisdom extends the first invitation. She has put in the effort to set a table, prepare a feast, mix wine, and make her house gorgeous. She sends her young women to invite the simple and uneducated to leave their ways and come to her.

We should be thinking wisely and deeply. Rather than wasting our lives, we should be strategic and intentional. Wisdom invites us to go on a long walk toward Jesus. As we do this, we will struggle less and less with the folly of the world. Fear God, forsake folly, and find true life — this is the delight of wisdom.

However, not everybody responds well, even if our heart’s desire is to follow Christ. We have a sin nature, so we will mess up. We should make most of our decisions based on wisdom, and when we mess up, we must repent and start walking toward Jesus rather than continuing down the wrong path.

The Daily Decision (Proverbs 9:7–12)

In these verses, there is a contrast between the scoffer and the wise person. When you give genuine godly correction to someone who is pursuing Christ, they will love you for it. If they are not pursuing Christ, they may hate you for it. If we choose to respond like the wise man, we will learn how to become more like Christ.

God has no spiritual grandchildren. Your parents may be very godly people, but that doesn’t automatically transfer over to you. Verse 10 tells us that we will have knowledge of God by reading His Word. This is something you have to do yourself — nobody else can do it for you.

The Deception of Folly (Proverbs 9:13–18)

Folly also extends an invitation to you. The temptation is to take a shortcut, getting to the destination without doing the hard work it takes to get there. She targets those who are doing what’s right, trying to convince them to follow her instead and experience instant gratification.

But folly doesn’t tell you she will lead you into chains of bondage. The longer you stay in sin, the more you will have to pay. Folly knows nothing. Her invitation will end in loneliness and regret, and you will desperately want to escape.

If you have chosen folly for a long time now, there is grace at the foot of the cross. Jesus extends an invitation to forgive you when you come to Him. Don’t let the mistakes of your past determine the destination of your future.

Wisdom and folly both call out to us. Today’s choices, big and small, shape tomorrow’s character. Choose wisdom that leads to life rather than folly that leads to death.