For lack of discipline they [the wicked] will die,
led astray by their own great folly.
Summary: Discipline, paths, and folly are the key elements in this passage. Staying on the path to life is easy if we know the path to life (John 10:9, 14:6).
For some reason that I can’t explain, when I hear or read the word “discipline,” I tend to think of self-discipline. However, the larger sense of the word has to do with external discipline. Of course, if there is to be external discipline, there has to be someone willing to impose that discipline.
As Solomon describes them, the “wicked” are people who put their own desires and ambitions above everyone else’s. They want things that do not belong to them, and they do not care what they have to do to get them, including taking innocent blood (Proverbs 1:16). They either did not receive discipline as young men or they rejected the discipline they received.
God wants us to gain “wisdom and instruction” and engage in “prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair” (Proverbs 1:2-3). Everything in the Bible is geared to this goal. God wants us to understand who we are and where we fit in the Grand Scheme of Things.
People who do not understand and who reject instruction also reject God.
The word “astray” means that the wicked have left the path of life. Of course, from the wicked person’s point of view, they would not agree. They are on their own path. They are choosing their own way. These people are captains of their own fate.
Here is the important thing: How good is your map? If you are the captain of your own fate, do you know where you are going?
The wicked look for what pleases them now. Right now. They act on the assumption that what they are now and how they feel now will be the norm forever. It is a childish view of life that refuses to acknowledge that there are things they cannot know; things that are not on their map.
The complete map of life includes what happened before we were born, our life here on earth, and growing old and then the death of the body. Beyond that, it includes what happens after the body dies because we still exist. It is at this point that the map called the Bible becomes crucial.
How we live today affects our existence after the body expires. The map of the Bible shows us what happens after the body’s death and it tells us how our actions in this life affect what happens next. This is where it gets interesting!
God’s definition of “life” and “death” is different when looked at from his point of view. He gives us our physical life, which is like a seed (Matt 13: 1-52). He waters the seed and gives it time, hoping it will sprout with new life. Not more physical life, but spiritual life. A life defined by our relationship with his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3: 1-21). The “discipline” that the Bible talks about is God guiding us to an awareness of our need for his Son, Jesus.
What the wicked don’t see on their map is what happens to people who reject Jesus. There is a place on God’s map marked “Lake of Fire” (Revelation 20:15). It is not the kind of place you would like to visit. It is the spiritual burn pit where those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord end up. This is the death that Solomon is talking about. Wisdom is avoiding this death and spending eternity alive with God.
Application: Apply the self-discipline to read God’s map, the Bible, every day.
Food for Thought: What does Solomon mean by “their own great folly”?
I think Abigail describes the foolish/folly nicely. And I see folly as a wicked or evil way. So the evil that they do will be there downfall. They will be judged on their own standards.
Thanks Tim, for making me think!
Who is Abigail? Who is Abigail? What is he talking about …?
Oh! Abigail in 1 Samuel 25:25!
I must’ve been typing while you sent it!!
Yep. Great minds! 🙂
“Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him; but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.” 1 Samuel 25:25
This Abigail?
Yes. You are correct A. Sorry guys I should have put down the verses but I kinda like making people open up their bibles. I just got a little delighted.
Folly means foolishness,..and we are not to be laughing at others folly,..even though sometimes it’s hard not to.
So Solomon may have meant their great foolishness, and from what I have read there were a lot of foolish people in Solomon’s day, as with today.
John,
You make a good point. God gave us as sense of humor for a reason. It is hard not to laugh at folly. Maybe there are different ways of laughing? Cruel, mocking laughter is wrong, but perhaps a quiet chuckle might be allowed? 🙂
👍
T picked a good example. Nabal did not want to give up food. He rejected the culture of hospitality. He refused to think of how his actions could affect the future. Foolish, and only his wife with greater wisdom saved his neck…. For a short time, God took his life 10 days later.
Their own great folly…. Senseless, profane, disgrace, as Strong’s defines it. I would’ve thought more like John did, something more comical. But perhaps that’s how the world has tried to redefine the attributes of itself. With a “it’s not so bad, it’s just silly”
Your comment brings to mind the parable in Luke 12: 16-21. Arrogance and foolishness go hand-in-hand.
Reminds me of our conversation “He who dies with the most toys wins”. They have no clue that’s not the end of everything.
I too was thinking the same way, but I spent a little time in the Hebrew and Greek translations, along with where it was used in different verses ( I did a little mini study ) and ended up with a short answer of evil or wicked.
Tim,
Well done! It is amazing to me how much fruit can be found on the vine of God’s Word! 🙂
Romans 1: 18 – 32 also comes to mind. God gives the wicked over to their folly. That is the punishment – they get what they want but getting what they want leads to pain, lawlessness and death. See also James 1: 13 – 15.
Rich,
What you describe is like an animal being caught in a trap. It gets what it wants (the bait) but the consequence is being trapped.
03—7-2022, Proverbs 5:23, What does Solomon mean by “their own great folly”?
A disciple is one who disciplines himself in the teachings and practices of another. The word disciple, like discipline, comes from the Latin word discipulus, meaning “pupil” or “learner.” Maturing disciples study and form new habits of their teacher as spiritual disciplines.
1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, Luke 9:23, John 10:27,
1 John 2:3-4
The great folly of an individual seems to be choosing to live according to the standards of our own immoral nature or character rather than living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ by the counsel of the Holy Spirit.
Ron,
You have put your finger on what I would call the “Great Deception.” Satan has thrown a blanket over our ability to reason and we blindly turn to our own standards to determine right and wrong.
I really admire everyone’s knowledge wisdom and understanding of Gods word , your relationship with God. How you’ve built your relationship over time, obedience, truth, actions, faithfulness, trust, and love.
Tim,
A word to the wise: We are all on the same journey you are. We all make mistakes, sometimes bad ones. Our faith has to be built on the Rock, Jesus, and nothing else.
Wise words Brother Jeff!
I’m not saying any of you are without sin or are perfect. I’m not and I continue to have my struggles. I even struggled with comunication to someone who knows me better than I know myself or communicating to someone right next to me that I talk to every day multiple times a day. It’s a path and we all have work to do.
T – I am so encouraged but your growth in God’s word and your heart to serve. You bless me – and many others.
Tim,
I understand, and I appreciate the encouragement you give! It is just that I remember looking up to people in the past who have disappointed me because of a stumble or a mistake. I do not ever want to discourage you because of my own weaknesses or shortcomings. So, with that said, thank you for your affirmations and encouragement. Your actions confirm your faith and our Lord’s work in your heart. Seeing our Lord at work in you inspires me, just as seeing Him working in me speaks to you. You are a blessing to me, brother!