proud angry foolsTwo very different individuals are the subject of Proverbs 28:25—a proud, self-sufficient man who provokes strife and turmoil wherever he goes and a man whose faith and confidence is in the God of Eternity Who is Sovereign in His authority and benevolent in His care of those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 28:25 –  “He that is of a proud [large; arrogant] heart [soul; mind; person] stirreth up [meddles; strives; provokes; excites] strife [contention; discord; brawling]: but he that putteth his trust [confidence; hope] in the LORD [Jehovah; Eternal, Self-existent God] shall be made fat [satisfy; anointed; prosper].

The proud man is arrogant in his bearing and contentious in his spirit.  His heart is not large for the things of God, but is inflated with a sense of his own ego and self-worth.   Such a man cannot be appeased for he is mean-spirited and forever provoking strife and discord.

Contrary to the proud, is the man of God who places no confidence in himself, but who trusts the Lord to direct, sustain and bless his ways (Psalm 1:1-3).the blessed man

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Proverbs 28:26 offers us a contrast of a similar application found in verse 25; however, it is now the fool who places his confidence in himself who is contrasted with a man of wisdom who walks after the ways of the Lord.

Proverbs 28:26 – “He that trusteth [be confident; hope; secure] in his own heart [mind; wisdom; understanding] is a fool [silly; stupid; dull]: but whoso walketh [come; move; behave] wisely [wisdom; skillful; shrewd], he shall be delivered [escape; slip away].”

fools can be told nothingWhat manner of man believes he is wise enough not to listen to counsel?  It is the fool who disregards godly counsel and prefers his own spiritually dimwitted thoughts and opinions to exhortations established upon the Word of God.  The fool disregards the fact that, apart from divine intervention and revelation, the thoughts of the wicked are “only evil continually” (Genesis 6:6).

While the fool hurls himself headlong toward the abyss of his own choosing, the wise man orders his path aright in the way of godliness and his steps are well established by the Lord.

Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith