Shut up and get out

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SHUT UP AND GET OUT

Prov 23:9

9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

NIV

This agrees with the scripture which tells us not to cast our pearls among the swine.

Matt 7:6

6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

NIV

There are just some people no matter how much of the truth we tell them, they will not hear it. Their ears are closed as is their mind and heart. Their heart is darkened to a point they have shut out any chance of letting the light in. They have locked up their darkness with their secularism. Some might say they have been predestined to hell by God, to be objects of his wrath. But the scripture is clear that it is men who love the darkness, who have suppressed the truth by their evil deeds. These are the same people who scorn the wisdom of our words. This wisdom is the word of God, certainly not ours. Should we be the one to determine who the fool is and to not waste the wisdom of God on them? We are told not to speak to the fool. The Hebrew word translated as fool means stupid or silly. Both of those meanings would apply to someone who refuses to listen to the wisdom of God, the gospel message. It is just plain stupid to not accept eternal life. It is the silliest thing a person could do. Yet we are told to go into all the world and preach the gospel. So it is not up to us to separate out the fools from those who would listen. But as we encounter the fool in our conversations about the gospel, we then need to see the fool for who he is, and leave, shake the dust off our shoes and move on. But let us not be the ones to decide a person is a fool and never speak to them at all. Of course it is always easier to speak up when we see someone in need, who is experiencing inner turmoil. Perhaps even a fool under those circumstances might open his ears. The Spirit will let us know. He will show us who is ready to hear. But we should remember the fool is out there and as Jesus referred to them as swine, they could trample us and tear us to pieces. It is best to share, but when it is certain we are with the fool, stop sharing and get out of there.