Proverbs 15:21

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about those who lack sense:

Proverbs 15:21 (ESV)

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

The world loves a good party.   The Super Bowl is watched my millions.  Saturday night, at any bar in any city, the world laughs and rejoices.  They embrace silliness on TV and laugh (and scream) at movies with no moral or spiritual significance in their (our?) lives.   We tend to enjoy laughter so much that we, often, forget to take life serious as to our spiritual plight.   There is, it is said, a case to be made for not taking yourself or life too seriously.   Solomon knows the value of enjoying life (read the book of Ecclesiastes).   But, in the above proverb the message is true, firm and illuminating:  If you enjoy your sin so much that you never repent you lack good sense.    Like a man who is driving his car off a cliff for the fun of the ride, we have a society who won't stop laughing at beer commercials long enough to see their own sin and come to faith in Christ.  We see a society comfortable enough to use Jesus Christ as a swear word, while never coming to the knowledge that He is the Son of God and master of the universe.   The person who so loves folly and the enjoyment of his sin is in direct contrast to the second line above: The man who does understand, adjusts his walk and walks straight (implied ... according to God's Word and Wisdom).   When we come to the knowledge of the Holy One and Fear The Lord, we will adjust our walk ... or, better, have our walk adjusted by the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit.   If we laugh, let's us laugh and not, at the same time, jeopardize our walk or final destination.   The end result may be years away but the journey is significant to day for what the end may look like.  Laugh, but do so in the fear of The Lord and in the knowledge of the Holy One and wisdom of Christ.   The first Biblical use of the Hebrew word translated "joy" above is found in 1 Sam. 18:6.   That is where David danced at the bringing home of the Ark.  That is a time to have joy.    However, in Jeremiah 50:21 the same word is used to describe the joy the nation of Israel experienced in their rebellion against God.   If folly is a joy to you, you lack sense.  If God is a joy to you, you have understanding of real life.