Today’s Blog: How to be wise at the e-gate

TODAY’S PROVERB: Wisdom is unattainable for a fool—he does not open his mouth at the gate. Proverbs 24:7, TLV

Well, this isn’t very encouraging, is it? Is there any nugget useful for us? If we look a little closer, I think so. First, the Hebrew used for wisdom here is: חָכְמ֑וֹת (transliteration: khokmot). The Hebrew word for wisdom is actually in plural form. Interesting.

Some scholars surmise this form of wisdom is about knowledge and understanding of the day-to-day operations of the city, since this is within the context of “the gate.” Typically, the menfolk would gather at the gates and discuss the current business transactions and justice issues. Therefore, in order to participate in the discussions, a certain level of research and investigation would have been necessary.

The fool has not taken the time to learn about current affairs, so he is unable to contribute to the conversation — unless he really wants to look foolish.

Did you see the connective tissue for us?

Thirty-odd years ago, while putting hubby through college, I worked for the Air Force ROTC. There was a saying frequently repeated, “That’s above my pay grade.” In other words, I can’t speak or participate because this subject is beyond my general skill, knowledge, or ability. Admittedly, it was sometimes used to avoid work, but I was impressed when even the colonel acknowledged that there were things he couldn’t or wasn’t allowed to do or contribute in conversations.

I think we found that nugget. We’re not going to be able to speak wisely on all topics. To speak “above our pay grade” is to speak foolishly.

Lately, it seems I’ve been picking on social media habits and etiquette. If we spend any amount of time on the internet — whether we post or not — social media has opened a new vista of temptation to speak or think that we know more than we do. We’re bombarded with accusations and horror and abuse — things with such intensity, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Or beautiful faces with agendas that desensitize us to recognizing temptations and sin.

How do we manage?

Pretty much every day “friends” I don’t know in countries around the world post about all the trials and tribulations they are going through. Every day we’re bombarded by accusations against politicians on both sides of the aisle. The usable parts of our brains were never intended to handle all this. We’ll never be experts on everything. So . . . how do we manage.

Here are a few tips I try to use to keep from being “foolish at the gate.”

• Who authored the post? Whether ministry, politics,news, world events, teachings, or “click here for more information,” if I do not personally know the author, then I’ve begun to not even read the posts. This is not as easy as it sounds.
• Who shared the post? If the author of the original post is shared by someone I know to be reliable — someone who checks the facts or personally knows the author — I will read the post. If not, I won’t.
• Adhere to the above-pay-grade rule. If I don’t know enough about the topic to comment, I need to keep my fingers off the keyboard. Likewise, unless I know the source to be reliable, I need to move on.
• Pay attention to time online. If I’m becoming distracted by all the interesting news, opinions, cat and dog and baby videos, I have to step away.
• Pay attention to emotions. I don’t know about you all, but sometimes I can feel myself sinking deeper into sadness or anger. Pay attention to this, as we may be filling our minds and therefore our hearts with burdens that don’t belong to us.

Keeping these tips in mind helps me — I hope they help you. Do you have some tips to share? Please share. Wink-wink.

May we be wise at the gates, my friends.

Proverbs 24:7 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs

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