The Wicked and the Foolish

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching Values

Proverbs 12:12-16

The Message

 ¹² What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
   while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.

Wise People Take Advice

 ¹³ The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
   the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

 ¹⁴ Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
   well-done work has its own reward.

 ¹⁵ Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
   wise people take advice.

 ¹⁶ Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
   the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

For Reflection
Where do you live?  Where do you spend most of your time?  Where do you play?  With whom do you associate most frequently? In whom do you place trust to follow their advice and example.  Whom do you seek out for comfort.  What gives you a sense of belonging?

Take a good look at the environment in which you live.  I what ways does it support a God-centered focus?  In what ways does it challenge that focus?  What helps you meet those challenges?

Think about all those folks who live work and play in spiritually destructive environments.  Do you think rationality helps avoid the corruption of their spirits?  How do people who are immersed in tragic circumstances escape them?


Pray
prayers of thanksgiving for those with whom you surround yourself and for the God-centered advise and example they offer.  Pray that you will allow your faith to measure the advice given.  Pray for those who are immersed in spiritual impoverishment.  Pray that your God-centered wisdom will provide an example for others and God's grace will flow from your countenance.