Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

Christians Do Not Make Their Own Truths

One of my favorite Presidents was Ronald Reagan. I never thought he was much of an actor (I liked John Wayne or Clint Eastwood), but he made a great president. He knew how to say things gently, humorously, and in a way that even made his enemies laugh. During one speech he said:

“Anytime we question the schemes of the do-gooders, we’re denounced as being against their humanitarian goals. They say we’re always against things, we’re never for anything. Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant, it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.”

You might not have liked Reagan, but I liked how he gently said things, but clung to the truth. Truth is not malleable. Truth is absolute, just like gravity. You can, by human invention, go against gravity as you go against truth. But truth will be truth no matter what you believe. I saw a picture on the internet the other day where a woman – obviously overweight – was standing and looking down at a calculator. The calculator was set to the numbers 130, and the caption on the picture read “create your own truth”. You can believe yourself to be 130 pounds, and pretend that you’re standing on scales if you want. But the reality is you weigh what you weigh. If your chromosomes are XY, you can pretend you’re a woman – but you are a man. If your chromosomes are XX, you can pretend that you are a man – but you’re a woman. Facts are facts and truth is truth.

Every PRUDENT man dealeth with knowledge

The British Nonconformist (Protestants who rejected the state Church of England) Minister Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary:

“The rule by which the wise regulate their conduct, is a fountain yielding life and happiness. The way of sinners is hard upon others, and hard to the sinner himself. The service of sin is slavery; the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that followed the curse. It is folly to talk of things of which we know nothing, and to undertake what we are no way fit for. Those that are wicked, and false to Christ and to the souls of men, do mischief, and fall into mischief; but those that are faithful, find sound words healing to others and to themselves.”

Word Study: The “PRUDENT” person is the Hebrew ʿārûm (pro. Aw-room’) means “the shrewd, sensible, or crafty”. This word is first used in the Bible for the Serpent in the Garden of Eden, which we are later told is actually a personification of Satan, the fallen arch-angel (Revelation 12:9; 20:2). When Satan came into the Garden of Eden, he studied the facts that were established by God. He then determined how to subvert Adam, to get him to go against the facts and into the folly of sin.

The “PRUDENT” or sensible person looks at and understands the facts, the truth at hand. The “FOOL” on the other hand ignores the facts, and bases his or her actions on feelings or folly. One Commentary notes:

“In life, wisdom is an asset that shapes how we navigate decisions and interactions. The nature of our actions often reflects our understanding and discernment. A knowledgeable individual will act based on informed reasoning rather than impulsive feelings, showcasing wisdom in their responses. Conversely, those lacking such insight may display foolish behavior, undermining their potential to achieve meaningful outcomes.”

It is sad when children must be separated from their law breaking parents. It hurts our hearts to see it. But to violate the Law of the land is a criminal act – and one that is forbidden by the Scripture. The Bible says:

Romans 13:1-2 (ESV) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Illustrate: In 2019 a Border Agent was being questioned by a member of a House Oversight Committee on child separation from those who illegally enter the United States. When pressed on the policy of “family separation”, Agent Tom Homan said, “In any criminal arrest, if the criminal has a child they are separated from the parent. If I get arrested for DUI and I have a young child in the car, I will be separated (from my child). If I am arrested for domestic violence, I will be separated from my child.” Entering the United States illegally – without going through a port of entry – is a violation of statute 1911.8 U.S.C. 1325. As citizens we do not violate the Law of our land. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, Christians obey the Law.

The Word of God establishes the groundwork of knowledge that the prudent or sensible person follows.

But a FOOL layeth open his folly.

The “FOOL” is the person who rejects authority, rejects God ordained leadership beginning with God. God says:

Psalm 14:1 (KJV) The FOOL hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Those who reject authority reject the absolute state of TRUTH. These people are ANARCHISTS. They want their way, their truth, regardless as to what actually is real. As we read in the previous chapter:

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

The “FOOL” or the confused lost person who rejects any higher authority but themselves will not heed reason. They are always right “in their own eyes”. It is best to not argue with the “FOOL”, but to pray for them, BUT get as far away from them as is possible. Foolishness destroys nations, communities, and churches. Moses led the Israelites as God directed him to do. When Korah rose up to subvert the leadership of Moses (Numbers 16:1-3), Moses asked God to vindicate him. Let’s read what happened as you turn with me to …

Numbers 16:20-35 (NKJV) And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” 22 Then they {Moses and Aaron} fell on their faces, and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?” {Moses and Aaron interceded for the Congregation, the Church} 23 So the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’ ” 25 Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” 27 So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children. 28 And Moses said: “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. 29 If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.” 31 Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. 33 So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” 35 And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

God’s Kingdom is built on God’s truth, not on our feelings. The “PRUDENT” or sensible person heeds God’s Word, and follows Godly leadership as long as that leadership is following God. The Apostle said:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) FOLLOW my example, as I FOLLOW the example of Christ.

Stay True To What God Has Said

Proverbs 13:17 A WICKED MESSENGER falleth into mischief: but a FAITHFUL AMBASSADOR is health.

We live in a day where “Tolerance” is the most important thing, in a day where God’s truths are being sold for popularity. This verse contrasts the “WICKED MESSENGER” with the “FAITHFUL AMBASSADOR”. An “AMBASSADOR” is a foreigner living in a country not his own, but that foreigner represents his country. Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:30 (ESV) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Ambassadors are not self-appointed, but are appointed by a sovereign King or President. Jesus appointed us who are Christians as Ambassadors when He gave us the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) {You are to be} … teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you

Ambassadors do not create their own policies, but are given instruction in written form. The Ambassador adheres to the directives sent from the sovereign nation. We adhere to the Bible and its teachings, whether the world agrees or not.

Ambassadors are often at odds with the country they are deployed to. The Bible says that every Christian is temporarily in this world, but …

Philippians 3:20 (NIV) … our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

The “WICKED MESSENGER” lives for his or her self, putting their flesh above the needs and directives of their sending Kingdom. The “FAITHFUL AMBASSADOR” lives not for themselves, but for their nation and their Leader. The Christian is called to:

Colossians 1:10 (ESV) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Jesus warned us that living for Him would be costly (Luke 14:26-33). The Apostle writes:

Ephesians 6:19-20 {Pray for me} that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ambassadors do not treat insults to themselves personally, but remember that they represent a greater nation. The world we live in is powered by darkness. We as Christ’s Ambassadors represent the LIGHT OF GOD, which stands in opposition to the darkness. Our Lord Jesus told us:

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The great Puritan Preacher Jonathan Edwards wrote in his book “Charity and Its Fruits”:

“Men that have their spirits heated and enraged and rising in bitter resentment when they are injured act as if they thought some strange thing had happened to them. Whereas they are very foolish in so thinking for it is no strange thing at all but only what was to be expected in a world like this. They therefore do not act wisely that allow their spirits to be ruffled by the injuries they suffer.”

When God created this world He created LIGHT, not darkness. God said “Let there be Light”, and there was light. Though God recognized the darkness as “night”, He did not create the darkness.

Christ’s children are to imitate Him, to be LIGHT. Our job is to represent the Kingdom of God on earth, and to imitate Christ in so doing. One article I read noted:

“Our Lord was slandered and falsely accused of all kinds of offenses, but He opened not His mouth in protest (Isaiah 53:7). Like a lamb, He accepted these vitriolic attacks, and, in the very moment of His passion, He prayed for the forgiveness of those who were attacking Him (Luke 23:34). This is how we are called to react to our enemies (1 Peter 4:13). Therefore, every false accusation, every slander, every ill word spoken about me is an opportunity for me to grow in my sanctification.”

When the Ambassador is recalled to his country, this is tantamount to a declaration of war. There will come a day when Christ will call His Church to Himself from this earth. At that time, the Great Tribulation will begin, a terrible time on the face of the earth. Until that time comes, the Ambassador is to speak the Gospel and uphold the Word of God in the way we live our lives. The Wicked Messenger will twist the Gospel and/ or the Word of God, seeking to remove the elements of the Kingdom Message that are repugnant to this world. The Apostle told the Church at Galatia:

Galatians 1:6-9 (NKJV) … I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

It is a Wicked Messenger that will preach Grace without Repentance, Salvation without Sanctification, Heaven without New Birth, Resurrection without the Cross, or Christianity without Christ.

We are called to be Faithful Ambassadors, just as Jesus is the “Faithful and True Witness” (Revelation 1:5; 3:14). Christ left us on this earth to represent Him and His Kingdom. We cannot earn nor deserve our salvation, but we can honor Jesus by faithfully sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom to whosoever will.

Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

You cannot be a Faithful Ambassador if you will not LISTEN TO THE DIRECTIVES OF THE KINGDOM. The Faithful Ambassador reveres the Word of God, and fears the King of Kings. The Prophet wrote:

Isaiah 33:5-6 (NKJV) The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. 6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure.

The Wicked Messenger cares only for themselves, not for the Kingdom. They bring “MISCHIEF” and trouble on the land. God told Israel:

Jeremiah 6:12-15 (NKJV) I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land,” says the Lord. 13 “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely. 14 They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the Lord.

The Faithful Ambassador brings HEALTH, blessing to the world around him, whereas the WICKED MESSENGER brings mischief and trouble. Let us strive to live for Christ’s Kingdom – and for the future of America. There are only two choices, light or darkness. Let us live for the LIGHT, being Faithful Ambassadors. Amen and Amen.