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DON’T BE AN EDUCATED FOOL

23/11/2014 11:28:00 The Editor

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Sir,

One of my friends once said there were ‘educated fools’ and I couldn’t comprehend this until I learnt that knowledge, education and degrees do not make a person wise.

At one of the institutions I have attended, I once met someone who had a Master’s degree yet could not write simple essays; something that is known by junior students.

This person failed to make a simple distinction between what was right and wrong. Similarly, we have people in our nation, communities, church, governments and schools who are in leadership positions, well educated people who are `educated fools’ and who simply fail to understand what is right from wrong.

I am speaking about leaders who fail in leading God’s people to the right direction; people who are imperceptive.
These are people who are forever making the same mistakes.
In life, you either make foolish decisions or wise ones.

Sometimes the foolish decisions we make are the result of us failing to reflect our lives so that we understand why certain things are not working out.

evaluate

We fail to take time and evaluate why we are doing certain things.
For example, many people do not know why they read the Bible or attend church.
Also, I do not understand why people would vote the same person or organisation to power yet they see that their lives are stagnant, there is corruption, squandering of funds, nepotism and self-serving interests in those people or organisations.

People keep repeating the same mistakes and cry out that it is bad luck or being bewitched. Nay! It is because you fail to live your life wisely.
You fail to make wise decisions.

Paul writes to the Colossian Church and urges them to live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity (4:5), how they converse plays a huge role in their lives.
Your behaviour or attitude plays a huge role in decision-making.

Allan Rufus says, “Life is like a game of chess. To win, you have to make a move. Knowing which move to make comes with insight and knowledge.”

confused

For you to make it in this confused and troubled world, you need to know which move to make and to which direction to move and that comes with insight and knowledge.
Let me warn you; do not allow your life to move without direction and purpose.
Do not allow things to be by happenstance in your life with the hope that as you go things will be better. Live wisely and do things accordingly.
In Ephesians 1 verses 15 – 23, Paul commends the Ephesians for their strong faith and love for each other.

His reason was that this town sold pictures of Diana’s temple; the female goddess. Paul preached the true gospel, which made this trade to be affected.

trouble

This caused confusion and trouble in the city.
Paul writes this letter with the background of humanity of fighting against each other: evil angels fighting with good angels. There is no unity.
We are no different from the Ephesians; we fight, we kill each other and there is no unity. He further prays that God should grant these people spiritual wisdom and insight so that they should grow in the knowledge of God.

You need wisdom and insight to grow.
It is helpful that you have either world wisdom or spiritual wisdom to succeed in life.
For you to make a move to the right direction, you need to apply the ‘golden rule’ recorded in Matthew 7: 12: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law…”
Even Islam teaches this.

They say “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”
Judaism says, “Whatever is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the entire law; all the rest is commentary.”
Therefore, people of Swaziland, do to others what you want people do to you.

foolishness

It is foolishness to require respect yet you do not respect others.
Hear then the words of Solomon, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Dr Charles Stanley, in his book ‘Learning To Live Wisely’ says: “Wisdom is seeing things from God’s perspective and responding according to biblical principles.” Wisdom gives you the ability to make right judgments; it gives you the ability to assess a situation and draw sound conclusions.

Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. Have wisdom and do not become an educated fool.
Solomon is saying to us, for us to move in the right direction, we must show the attitude of respect, love and submission.
He says in Proverbs 8:13: “All who fear the Lord will hate evil.”
When Paul writes to the Corinthian church, he says God has given us the spirit to have understanding of the abilities and capabilities that God has given to us.

He further says what we say to you is not from human wisdom but we speak the words given to us by the Spirit.
A wise man lives by the spirit.
Allow me to summarise Proverbs 9 where Solomon says choose which house you want to live in.
It is either the house of wisdom or the house of foolishness.

It is interesting how Solomon views foolishness. He says foolishness is when you rebuke a mocker and wicked person and in return you get insults and hurts. Be wise and live wisely. It is said: “Do not argue with fools.”
Solomon warns that “without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers (Proverbs 11: 14)” For you to move on to the right direction seek advice. Seeking advice is not asking someone else to make your decision.

It is to check if your analysis is correct. Also, Proverbs 27: 12 says, “A wise person foresees danger and takes precautions and the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
Do not fall in the same trap; do not move without calculating the cost.

danger

Be wise and foresee danger.
Solomon says in the first chapter of the Proverbs: “The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just and fair.”
I urge you to read these proverbs because they are full of wisdom.

You will never go wrong if you listen to Solomon. A wise person, therefore, accepts correction. Solomon says: “My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline and do not be upset when he corrects you.”

Hence you will hear a Methodist Preacher on Sunday saying: “Ndohlwaye Yehova, kodwa ngokufanelekileyo kungabi ngengqumbo yakho hleze undenze into encinane (Jeremiah 10: 24).” Let us be wise and live wisely. Shalom.

Rev Lennox Mahobe
Pigg’s Peak