What you get is not what you see 06

Key Text:
“There is a way that
seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of
death”
Proverbs 14:12
SAMSON and DELILAH

Most modern text editors use a system called
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
That is, the printed document will look just
like it is displayed on your screen.
Unfortunately, things are not usually that
way in our live: you DON’T get what you see.
Our dreams, thoughts and opinions may
create a distorted view of reality, the people
around us and even ourselves.
“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
We find a basic piece of advice in Proverbs:
we cannot trust ourselves like the foolish do.
Quite the opposite, in fact; we must trust
God alone. He is always in control, even
when things seem to go wrong.

As Paul had said: “We see
through a glass, darkly”
(1 Cor. 13:12). We see so
little, and what we do see
always comes filtered through
our own minds.
Our eyes and ears—all our senses, actually—give us only a narrow view
of what’s really out there. We can be deceived, too, not only about the
external world but about ourselves, as well. Our dreams, our views, and
our opinions can give us very distorted images of what we are really
like, and of all deceptions, that can be by far the worst.

What should we do then to
protect ourselves from
these deceptions?
Proverbs provides us with
basic counsel.
We should not trust
ourselves, as the fool
does. On the contrary, we
should trust the Lord, who
controls the course of
events even when all
seems to go wrong. In
short, we need to live by
faith and not merely by
sight, because our sight
can be exceedingly
deceptive, showing only a
small portion of what is
real, and then even worse,
distorting the little it does
show us.

According to Proverbs 14, what does the fool do?
The foolish is haughty (v. 3), he mocks at the truth (v. 6-9), he is
willing to believe everything but the truth (v. 15), he is
impulsive (v. 16, 29) and he is an oppressor (v. 21, 31).
He pulls his house down (v. 1)
He despises the Lord (v. 2)
He haughty (v. 3)
His trough is clean (v. 4)
He utters lies (v. 5)
He doesn’t find wisdom (v. 6)
He doesn’t have lips of knowledge (v. 7)
He is deceit (v. 8)
He mocks at sin (v. 9)
His house will be overthrown (v. 11)
He is filled with his own ways (v. 14)
He believes every word (v. 15)
He rages and is self-confident (v. 16)
He inherits folly (v. 18)
He will bow before the good (v. 19)
He despises his neighbor (v. 21)
He devises evil (v. 22)
He is led to poverty (v. 23)
His crown is folly (v. 24)
He speaks lies (v. 25)
He is impulsive (v. 29)
He is rottenness to the bones (v. 30)
He oppresses the poor (v. 31)
He is banished in his wickedness (v. 32)
Wisdom is unknown to him (v. 33)

The fool speaks proudly (Prov. 14:3). The first depiction of the fool
deals with his “proud speech.” The image of the rod associated with
the fool’s lips implies his eventual punishment. His proud words have
resulted in a blow on his lips, an outcome that is seen in contrast
with the lips of the wise, which are preserved (see also Dan. 7:8).
ADOLF HITLER

The fool mocks wisdom (Prov. 14:6–9). Although the fool seems to
seek wisdom, in fact he does not believe in it and is skeptical of it.
He will not find it because, in his own mind, there is no wisdom
apart from himself. Most frightful is his attitude toward violation of
the law. What could be more deadly than mocking the idea of sin?
PROMOTING the HOLOCAUST

CHARLES DARWIN and his DISCIPLES
The fool is credulous
(Prov. 14:15). Paradoxi-
cally, while the fool
makes fun of those
idealists who still
believe in the values
of wisdom, he has lost
his ability to think
critically about what he
hears; he believes
“every word.”
The irony of this situation strikes at the heart of secular society.
Skeptical people mock God and make fun of religion, claiming
that these beliefs are for children and old people; yet, they them-
selves often believe in some of the most foolish things, such as
the creation of life on earth by pure chance alone.

The fool is impulsive
(Prov. 14:16, 29).
Because the fool
believes that he has the
truth within himself, he
does not take time to
think. His reaction will
be quick, dictated
mostly by impulse.
The fool oppresses
others (Prov. 14:21, 31).
The mechanisms of
oppression and
intolerance are
suggested in the
psychology of the fool.
He is intolerant of
others and will treat
them with contempt
(see Dan. 7:25; 8:11, 12).
It’s easy to see the traits of a fool in others,
but what about in our own selves? Which, if
any, of these character flaws might you
need first to recognize and then seek by
God’s grace to overcome?
REFLEXIÓN
PROMOTING the HOLLY INQUISITION

It’s easy to see the traits of a
fool in others, but what about
in our own selves?
Which, if any, of these
character flaws might you need
first to recognize and then seek
by God’s grace to overcome?
REFLEXIÓN
PROMOTING the HOLLY INQUISITION

“Those who would have that
wisdom which is from God must
become fools in the sinful
knowledge of this age, in order to be
wise. They should shut their eyes,
that they may see and learn no evil.
They should close their ears, lest
they hear that which is evil and
obtain that knowledge which would
stain their purity of thoughts and
acts. And they should guard their
tongues, lest they utter corrupt
communications and guile be found
in their mouths.”
E.G.W. (The Adventist Home, section 14, cp. 66, pg. 404)

According to Proverbs 14, what does the wise do?
The wise is the opposite of the fool. He speaks humbly (v. 3), he values
learning and knowledge (v. 6, 18), he is cautious (v. 15), he is gentle and
patient (v. 29, 33), he is compassionate and sensitive (v. 21, 31).
He builds his house (v. 1)
He fears the Lord (v. 2)
He is preserved from pride (v. 3)
He has enough bread (v. 4)
He doesn’t lie (v. 5)
Knowledge is easy to him (v. 6)
He runs away from the fool (v. 7)
He understands his way (v. 8)
He is upright (v. 9)
His tent will flourish (v. 11)
He is satisfied with his ways (v. 14)
He considers well his steps (v. 15)
He fears and departs from evil (v. 16)
He is crowned with knowledge (v. 18)
The evil bow before him (v. 19)
He has mercy on the poor (v. 21)
Mercy and truth belong to him; he devises good (v. 22)
There is profit in his labor (v. 23)
He manages his resources wisely (v. 24)
He delivers souls (v. 25)
He is slow to wrath (v. 29)
He is life to the body (v. 30)
He has mercy on the needy (v. 31)
He has refuge even in his death (v. 32)
Wisdom rests in his heart (v. 33)

Read Proverbs 14
again. What does it
say about the wise?
The wise speak humbly
(Prov. 14:3). The wise
restrain the use of their lips.
Their silent reflection is
motivated by a lack of
arrogant self-assurance.
The wise give consideration
to the other person’s ideas;
therefore, the wise will take
time to think through and
weigh the evidence. They
are also silent because they
are listening, ready to learn
from others. .

The wise value
learning and
knowledge (Prov.
14:6, 18). It is difficult
for the fool to learn,
because it is hard for
him to sit at the feet
of a teacher; in
contrast, it is easy for
the wise to learn
because of their
humility. They will
thus enjoy the
experience of
learning and
growing. It is also
this search for
wisdom, for
knowledge that they
do not have, which
makes them wise.
The wise are cautious (Prov. 14:15). The wise know that
sin and evil exist. Therefore they will be careful where
they walk. They will not trust their feelings and personal
opinions; they will check things out and ask for advice.
Yet, they will always be careful about what other people
say to them; they will sort out the good from the bad (1
Thess. 5:21).

The wise are calm
(Prov. 14:29, 33). The
wise can stay quiet
because they do not
rely on their “own
ways” but depend on
“above” (vs. 14,
NKJV). It is their faith
in God that allows
them to relax and
exercise self-control
(Isa. 30:15). It is the
fear of God that gives
them confidence
(Prov. 14:26).
The wise are compassionate and sensitive (Prov. 14:21, 31). The two
commandments, “You shall love the Lord your God” and “You shall
love your neighbor,” are linked (Mark 12:30, 31, NKJV). We can’t love
God and at the same time treat other people poorly. The greatest
expression of our faith is how we deal with others, especially those in
need.

“We do not realize how many of us walk by sight and
not by faith. We believe the things that are seen, but
do not appreciate the precious promises given us in
His Word.”
What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight?
How are we supposed to do that?
REFLECTION

How may our actions and our
thoughts change when we are
aware that God knows everything
we do, say or think?
Fearing the Lord—the beginning of wisdom—
is to be conscious of His presence at all times
and everywhere.
God is the only one who can perfectly
distinguish between good and evil.
He wants to share His wisdom with us. He
wants us to learn how to distinguish between
good and evil, so we choose well.
In the next verses, Solomon described the joy
of making good decisions, and how important
is to accept God’s sovereignty in our lives.

In the next two chapters of Proverbs, the tone changes.
These chapters are more theological than the preceding ones.
The Lord is referenced more often than in previous proverbs.
We are also told something amazing about Him: that His eyes are
in every place (Prov. 15:3).

This acute
consciousness of the
Lord’s presence is
precisely what the
ancient Israelites called
“the fear of the Lord.”
The same association is
found in the Psalms: “the
eye of the Lord is on
those who fear Him”
(Ps. 33:18).
Likewise, Job describes
God as the One who
looks to the ends of the
earth and sees all that
happens under the
heavens (Job 28:24).
Because of this, Job
concludes that “the fear
of the Lord . . . is
wisdom” (Job 28:28).

This proverb reminds
us of God’s ability to
see good and evil, no
matter where they are.
As Solomon understood
(1 Kings 3:9), true wisdom
is the ability to discern
between good and evil.
On a human level, this awareness should help us to remember
always to do good and never evil, for God sees all that we do, even if
no one else does. We fool ourselves, thinking that because, for now,
we get away with evil, that we really do get away with it. In the long
run, we never do.

Let us, therefore, be diligent, for “there is no creature hidden from His
sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom
we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).
Read Proverbs 15:3, Isaiah
5:20, and Hebrews 5:14.
What crucial message do
these verses have for us,
especially in an age when
the very concepts of
“good and evil” are often
blurred, with people
claiming that good and
evil are relative or just
human ideas that have no
objective existence apart
from what we say they
are? What is so wrong
with such a notion of good
and evil, and why is it so
dangerous to hold?
GOD SAW and TAKES CARE of DANIEL

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart
has a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15)
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an
abomination to the Lord, but the
prayer of the upright is His delight.”
(Proverbs 15:8)
God enjoys His communion
with His children.
 He has a merry heart (v. 13)
 He enjoys a continual spiritual feast (v. 15)
 He doesn’t feel disturbed (v. 16)
 He has love (v. 17)
 His words bring happiness (v. 23)
 He knows God hears his prayers (v. 29)
 His joy brings physical health (v. 30)
Fearing God and accepting His salvation brings joy.
Nothing will take that joy from us
(Romans 8:38-39).

Scripture does not promise us a
life without trials. As Jesus
Himself said, “ ‘Sufficient for the
day is its own trouble’ ”
(Matt. 6:34). Proverbs 15:15
explains that amid evil days, the
one who maintains a merry heart
will have a better time of it.
Pain, suffering, and trials will
come, and often we can’t control
when and how.
What we can control, at least to
some degree, is how we choose
to respond.

“The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the
answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:1)
“Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the
last word.” (Proverbs 16:1 MSG)
The story of Balaam is a good example of this
proverb (Numbers 22-24).
He planned to curse the people of Israel, but
God put blessings in his mouth.
We may make our plans, but God will decide
either to let us carry them out or to stop us.
He’s still in control.
Which characteristic do we develop when we
accept God as sovereign in our lives?
Proverbs 16: 18-19; James 4:15
The proud make their own plans and trust
their own strength. The humble put their
plans in God’s hands and accept His will.

“When you give up your own will, your own
wisdom, and learn of Christ, you will find
admittance into the kingdom of God. He
requires entire, unreserved surrender. Give
up your life for Him to order, mold, and
fashion. Take upon your neck His yoke.
Submit to be led and taught by Him. Learn
that unless you become as a little child, you
can never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Abiding in Christ is choosing only the
disposition of Christ, so that His interests are
identified with yours. Abide in Him, to be
and to do only what He wills.”
E.G.W. (Selected Messages, book 1, section 2, cp. 13, pg. 129)

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What you get is not what you see 06

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