Even if you pound the fool along with the grain in a mortar with a pestle, his foolishness would never leave him. Proverbs 27:22, TLV
Choose Wisely. Here’s a question I wrestled with for years: Is the tenaciousness of a fool to do foolish things a choice or innate? I think I grappled with the question because of the hope that my poor decisions were because I couldn’t help myself. If the Creator of the Universe made me like this, then who was I to complain—or change?
Yes, I really thought that. Until I ran across a few passages like:
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him.” James 1:5, TLV
“ . . . yes, if you call out for insight,
lifting up your voice for discernment,
if you seek her as silver
and search for her as for hidden treasures,
then you will know the fear of ADONAI [the LORD]
and discover the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:3-5, TLV
“So God said to him: “Because you asked for this thing—and have not asked for yourself long life, nor asked for yourself riches, nor asked for the life of your enemies, but asked for yourself understanding to discern justice—behold, I have done according to your words. I have given you a wise and discerning mind, so that there has been none like you before you, nor shall anyone like you arise after you.” 1 KINGS 3:11-12, TLV
Okay. You get the idea. So, my opinion
about whether it is a choice or innate, for followers of Jesus and children of the Creator of the Universe — our Father—there’s no question, it’s a choice to not pursue wisdom.
We have a Father who has invested heavily in us. Not the least of which is sacrificing His own Son for us. Therefore, He has demonstrated that He wants us to succeed. But He’s not going to force us to pursue His word and live it. When have we ever responded well to that approach?
Excluding severe mental and/or learning disabilities, we can either read or be taught wisdom.
He desires we pursue this out of love for Him. And honestly, because He built His system to operate most efficiently with the greatest results, living this way. Why would we choose otherwise?
