I am a firm believer in the power of the Holy Spirit in each person’s life. I write Proverbs because I feel called to do so. You read them because YOU feel called to do so. Otherwise, it’s out of duty or misplaced loyalty, neither of which are eternal.

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance–

This chapter is the epitome of our daily walk in this world. We either listen to the Spirit or ignore the Spirit–sometimes both throughout the day! It boils down to desire: Do we WANT the Spirit to conform us to the image of Christ? The LORD Jesus was all about what God was doing in the world concerning the souls of men. He was NOT concerned with the things of this world that pull on us so hard, things like pleasure, comfort, security, power, influence, thrill, and self-satisfaction. In fact, to follow Christ, we must give up these things.

²² “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate knowledge?

Simple people live their lives without any moral direction and are inclined to evil. It’s natural. If we don’t take on Christ’s moral direction every day, we will incline to evil. It’s that simple.
Fools hate being told that what they want to do is not pleasing to God. They don’t care. Beware of this feeling! It leads to mockery.
Mockers take delight in sin. They get a charge out of it. If we are wise, we will recognize this tendency in ourselves and repent!

²³ Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings [and my heart].

God calls to us each morning and all day to come to Him for cleansing and intimate fellowship. It’s what salvation is all about! We come through Jesus as the Spirit empowers us (He is our connection).

²⁴ But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
²⁵ since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,

We have a CHOICE. FREE WILL is all over this passage. God doesn’t want robots. He wants children who love Him and want to fellowship with Him. Recognize the signs of His interaction with You. Listen, pay attention, heed, and accept!

³⁰ Since they would not accept my advice
    and spurned my rebuke,
³¹ they will eat the fruit of their ways
    and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 Here again, free will.

³² For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Verses 30-32 are some of the saddest verses in the Scriptures because it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s our choice to heed His voice and follow Him. Daily. Continuously.

³³ but whoever listens to me will live in safety
    and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Best verse! Of course, we’re not talking so much about physical safety, but safety of the soul. Those who are in Christ Jesus, walking with Him and enjoying intimate fellowship with Him are not concerned with physical safety or harm. We trust that everything that happens to us is for the good of the kingdom and for us. How can physical danger and harm be good for us? We all ultimately die, and when we do, we get to go be with Him. Why not die for the sake of the Gospel? The intimate fellowship that comes during hardship and pain is the BIG MYSTERY of Christianity. Need more information? Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and 12:1-10.

Let’s live for Christ today. He did so much for us. We should be grateful.

Abba, I know I am! Thank You for so great a salvation. Thank You for wanting to have a personal, intimate relationship with me. I am honored and humbled. I want to be like You, LORD, for I know that the more I am like You, the sweeter the fellowship we have! It is the desire of my heart; please grant it according to Psalm 37:4. Thank You! Amen.