Proverbs 14:8 (NASV)
The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
but the foolishness of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:8 (ESV)
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
Wise people discern what they are doing. Foolish people don’t and therefore live a life of deception. This proverb is quite interesting as the first line in the poetry makes a statement and the second line contrast the first. So, the proverb is telling us that wisdom deals in the world of truth, even if it is about ourselves, while foolishness deals in the world of untruth. Perhaps the worse type of untruth is when we are untruthful with ourselves. Telling the truth is one thing we should always do. But, being truthful with ourselves is another positive, and equally important, trait. When we are not truthful with ourselves we go about deceiving ourselves. When was the last time you took a “wise” look in the mirror and made some honest adjustments? Tell yourself the truth. Wise people do that and they seek to understand their way. Foolish people are deceived about their way. They trust in wealth, friends or anything other than God and the fear of the Lord. Wise people work at self-awareness, but not for the purpose of self-absorbing. Wise people seeks to know the way GOD is taking them. Foolish people seek to know the way they are going ... absent God. The word here, "way", is used over 600 times in God's Word. Knowing the "way" we are going is the entire point of God's plan. Those who reject God's plans also reject His ways and therefore deceive themselves. We are to train a child up in the "way" he or she should go (Proverbs 22:6). Use God's wisdom to know your way and to understand that way. The alternative is to lie to yourself and be deceived in your mind.
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