A friend of ours adopted a greyhound that had been a racing dog. The dog could see the local high school track from his house and would jump the fence and run to the track every time it got out the door. Eric put up taller and taller fences to contain the dog, but to no avail. His last effort was a fence almost tennis court height, yet the dog was so compelled to run that it bounded over the fence and to get to the track. He finally had to get rid of the dog because there seemed to be no cure for its incessant desire to run.

We, like the greyhound, need a fence, boundaries to keep us within the protection of home. As Christ-followers, God places boundaries in our lives. But we must learn to honor the boundaries. Yes, we can choose to cross, jump, go beyond the fence, but consequences come with those decisions. We learn God’s boundaries through reading His Word and spending time in prayer and fellowship with Him. Other Christians can lend us guidance and wisdom, and we should learn and make progress along the way. We all start at a place of inexperience, and it takes growth, knowledge, and wisdom, along with experience, to mature us.

Those who don’t listen, don’t seek wisdom or care enough to make any change in what they are doing don’t grow and are in danger of becoming indifferent. They simply don’t care that they are making the wrong choices, messing up their life and the lives of others. Their complacency causes self-destruction. Proverbs tells us that fools destroy themselves because of indifference.

Some become indignant in their sin. They have crossed the line so many times that the line fades. They ignorantly make fun of wisdom. The Bible calls them “mockers” and “scoffers”. They are often belligerent and angry, hating Christian values and dismissing the church as merely a bunch of hypocrites. They are wounded, angry people. Arguing with them is of no value. Only God can change a heart!

Be wise and don’t choose fools as friends. Fools will drag you down and put you in danger, even if you are wise, you are in harm’s way in the company of fools. Be a student of God’s Word and allow His Spirit to work in your heart and mind to make the best choices. Understand your boundaries. For the questions that God’s Word doesn’t clearly answer, you can make God-honoring decisions based on your wisdom and discernment of what God’s will is for your life. According to Proverbs, wisdom is more valuable than rubies!

Scriptures – Proverbs 26:11 (ERV), Proverbs 9:6 (NIV), Proverbs 1:32-33 (GW), Proverbs 13:20 (ERV), Proverbs 14:6 (ERV), Proverbs 9:7-8 (NIV), 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT); Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

Verse – Like a dog returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again. (Pr 26:11) “Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” (Pr 9:6) Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference. But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster.” 

(Pr 1:32-33) Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble. (Pr 13:20) And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Ph 1:9-11)

Questions – When has inexperience gotten you into trouble? How well do you take criticism? Do you accept advice? What boundary in your life is most difficult to maintain? When has wise advice saved you? When has ignoring wise advice caused you grief? Explain how God’s boundaries have kept you safe? Are you discerning?

Prayer – Dear God, thank You for Your Word that instructs and informs my decisions. You guide my path. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who guides me in truth and gives me discernment. Without Your wisdom and presence in my life, I’d be a lost fool. Help me to continue to grow in Your Word and truth. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.