A crooked path may be a challenge physically for the body…but it is death for the soul!

Probing Proverbs 10:8-9 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

The contrast shown here is a profound one! It also testifies to a stark reality we should consider.

First, notice that a person that is wise is made happy to be instructed. We need to place this in context, the “gladness” would be covering the final attitude of the person of wisdom. Why would I say this? The context is a comparison of fools, who especially do not like to be rebuked for their behavior. A person of wisdom…at the end of the day…is made glad when they discover more Truth. 

This would include difficult Truth, such as being admonished or even rebuked when they are wrong. So although their initial response may not appear glad, after the emotional stress of being confronted by Truth passes, they would be glad because an opportunity to grow has been given them. Isn’t that what Truth does? It is easy to be glad when the Truth you are being told is something you already believe, however, it is quite different when the Truth you are hearing is stepping on your toes and challenging how you are living! I have witnessed this and believe I have experienced it. Sometimes, not always, I show wisdom. Truth confronts me about an attitude I have, or an action I am doing, or even something I should be doing and am not. 

At that moment, my flesh wants to defend and fight back. When I yield to the Spirit, He shows me how to handle it and see the Truth for what it is. Afterwards, I find my heart is grateful and glad to have learned some important Truth for life. My emotions at first were not glad, yet at the end of the experience I am pleased, even if a little bruised, by the outcome.

The foolish person on the other hand, just keeps their lips moving and refuses to listen. The word “babbling” is:

שָׂפָה (śāpâ) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding.

Most frequently śāpâ refers to the organ of speech. The lips are the gates of speech, and hence the gates of honesty or deception, righteousness or wickedness, wisdom or folly. Thus we read, “The lips of the righteous feed many,” and “Let the lying lips be put to silence” (Prov 10:21; Ps 31:18 [H 19]).^[1]

The sad truth is that to many foolish people misdiagnose the problem. After they have shown their folly, some will realize it. Still, when they evaluate why they did that, they think it is because their mouth talks too much. That is only the symptom! The problem originates from a different organ. Jesus stated it clearly:

Mark 7:21–23 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

Sadder still, some people never come to their senses about their behavior and just continue to move ahead in their foolishness. Scriptures warn that the outcome is not a pleasant one. These folks fall “flat on their faces!”…not just a stumble! The narrative continues with its comparison. Those that are willing to deal with Truth develop integrity and they will walk safely. Remember, God always has the eternal perspective! We may encounter dangers that are temporal, but the person with integrity will be safe eternally

Psalm 41:12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever.

The foolish walk on a dangerous path due to the fact that whenever a person tries to make their truth, the Truth…the path, though that is crooked, because there is no reality in relative truth. Slips and falls will take place. The pain of dealing with objective Truth is minimal compared to the on going consequences of living in the lie!

Meditation Questions: Just ONE question: Do you deal with Truth as Truth or do you add your own flavor?

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^[1] Cohen, G. G. (1999). 2278 שׂפה. (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Eds.)Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press.