Scripture reading: James 3:1-12.

Sermon text: Proverbs 1:20-33.

“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” — Proverbs 17:28

We all learn the power of words early in life. As children, we learn that certain words can help us in life, and we learn that other words bring trouble. As we grow older, we experience both the blessings and injuries that words bring.

I would say the power of words diminishes with their abundance. In America, we’re suffering from an overabundance of words in our political season. We’ve also seen the destructive power of words this past week as the Muslim world again exploded over words in a movie, costing 4 American lives in Libya. As St. James reminded us in the Scripture reading today, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”

The sermon text today comes from the Proverbs of Solomon, a man widely considered the wisest man ever to have lived. Solomon’s advice today, coupled with St. James’ words, reminds us of God’s desire that we use the power we possess to bless those around us and demonstrate His presence in our lives.

In the sermon text today, Solomon personifies Wisdom as a woman seeking those who will receive the blessings she brings. The Hebrew word for wisdom, “hokmah,” means “skillful living.” Wise living in the Hebrew mind involved living in covenant relationship with God, keeping the commandments and fulfilling God’s desire that His people bless the nations. Those who live wisely will serve as examples of God’s blessings and guidance. The wise will also use their words to bless others and teach others the benefits of living in relationship with God.

In the sermon text today, Wisdom called out to 3 different types of people. We find these types in every generation and in every civilization. While everyone needs wisdom in life, those to whom Wisdom calls most desperately need her guidance in life.

First, Wisdom calls to the “simple ones.” “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?” The term “simple” in Hebrew refers to the naive, to those who will believe anything anyone tells them. The simple lack knowledge, and their lack of knowledge constantly get them into trouble. The simple lack the wisdom to seek out the wise and learn wisdom. Instead, the simple constantly reveal their ignorance because they lack the wisdom to remain silent and learn from those more knowledgeable than they. Even worse, many of the simple (unfortunately, most) will remain ignorant because they lack the discipline to learn. In spite of this tendency, the simple have the best chance of those to whom Wisdom calls to receive her guidance and improve themselves.

Next, Wisdom calls out to the “scoffers.” The term “scoffers” refers to those too proud to listen to anyone. The scoffers believe they know everything about anything.  The scoffers will never listen to anyone because they see no reason. The scoffers will belittle  anyone who attempts to correct them in their ignorance. Unfortunately, the scoffers will often lead the simple astray because the simple mistake the scoffers’ arrogance for intelligence.

Lastly, Wisdom calls out to the “fools.” The term “fools” refers to those who will refuse to learn anything because knowledge will bring responsibilities they will never wish to bear. Instead, the fools “hate knowledge.” The fools resent the effort required to learn and will actively resist any attempt to teach them.

The people to whom Wisdom calls will reveal their ignorance and foolishness with their words. The simple will reveal their ignorance; the scoffers will reveal their arrogance; and the fools will reveal their reluctance to learn. Their words will never bring blessing because they have nothing wise to contribute.

God still calls out to these people. As Solomon put it, “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” Although many of us tend to treat these people as impossible, God still loves them and wishes for them to live in relationship with Him so that He can bless them. If these people will listen to God’s call and respond with repentance, He will hear their response and bless them with the Holy Spirit.

The ones who refuse to listen to God’s call will suffer from “calamity,” “terror,” “distress and anguish.” As Solomon wrote, “They shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.” The results of living unwisely will reveal themselves in the lives of the simple, scoffers, and fools.

In contrast, God promises, “Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” The ones who listen to the wise will enjoy the blessings  of living in relationship with God. Listening to God requires humility, because only the humble will admit they need God’s guidance in life.

This brings us back to the Scripture reading for today. St. James knew the power of words; he had seen both the power of blessing and the power of cursing. As he wrote, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” St. James knew the encouragement that wise words bring, as well as the dissension and discouragement of foolish words.

God’s ultimate wisdom came at the cross of Jesus. St. Paul told the Corinthians, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). At the cross, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” accomplished the atonement for our sins (1 Corinthians 1:24). As St. Paul wrote, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Wisdom reveals itself first in the admission that only through Christ can we enjoy the eternal blessings of God. In Jesus, the Word of God, we find eternal life. When we realize we cannot live on our own knowledge and wisdom, we humble ourselves by confessing Jesus as Lord, believing in His resurrection. The proud and arrogant can never bring themselves to this admission and remain outside the blessings of God.

When we confess Jesus as Lord, we receive the fulfillment of God’s promise in Proverbs: “I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” God sends His Holy Spirit into our hearts to guide us. The Holy Spirit will guide us to a congregation where we can learn more about the words of God, the Bible. The congregation will include mature believers from whom we can learn wisdom.

St. James wrote, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” St. James then described the works we will exhibit as we grow in wisdom: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” As we grow in our faith, we will grow in wisdom as we learn more about Scripture. We will learn more about God’s grace and love, and we will seek ways to reveal His love to others in our lives. We will learn to use our tongues and words to bless those around us. Just as importantly, we will learn the wisdom of silence; we will learn to bless others both with what we say and with our silence when we have nothing to contribute to the conversation. We will seek to bring peace in conflict, reason in discord, mercy to those who wrong us, and love to everyone we meet.

True wisdom comes only from God. God promises wisdom to everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and accepts the responsibility of speaking wisely. Wisdom brings responsibility, but it also pays eternal dividends. As you examine your life, humble yourself and come to Christ for salvation; receive and live by His wisdom. Then, let your words of wisdom bring peace and joy to a troubled world, a world desperately needing the wisdom of God through Christ, Our Lord.