Why Listening to Wisdom Matters for Everyone
Have you ever heard someone ask, “How long will you keep making the same mistakes?” That’s basically what’s going on in Proverbs 1:22. In this verse, the Bible says:
“How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?”
Let’s break this down in plain English:
This verse is like a wake-up call. Imagine a parent, teacher, or friend who sees you going down the wrong path and desperately wants you to stop and think before you get hurt. That’s what’s happening here. The writer (King Solomon) is calling out to people who keep ignoring good advice, making fun of the truth, and choosing to stay uninformed—even when they could do better.
There are three types of people mentioned here:
· Simple people (simpletons): Those who just go along with whatever, not really thinking things through. They believe whatever sounds good to them at the moment and don’t dig any deeper.
· Mockers (scorners): These are the people who roll their eyes at anything serious, especially things like faith or wisdom. They make jokes about things that actually matter and don’t take advice seriously.
· Fools: People who not only ignore advice but actually dislike being taught. They flat-out reject learning anything new, especially about what’s right and wrong.
The passage asks, “How long are you going to keep this up?” It’s trying to get people to realize that ignoring wisdom, making fun of it, or refusing to learn can only go on for so long before there are real consequences.
The next verses (Proverbs 1:20-33) explain that these attitudes are dangerous because they close people off from real help and good direction. It’s like someone warning you not to walk into traffic, but you decide to ignore them just because you don’t like being told what to do. Eventually, the trouble comes—not because you weren’t warned, but because you refused to listen.
But there’s good news. The passage says that if you actually listen to wisdom and take it seriously, things can change for the better. God promises to help those who are willing to turn around and pay attention. In fact, the wisdom here is so important that it’s compared to Christ himself calling out to us, offering guidance, forgiveness, and a better life.
So, why does this matter? Because life is unpredictable. We don’t know how long we have to get things right, and ignoring what’s true can lead to regret. The Bible is encouraging everyone—not just religious people—to listen before it’s too late.
In summary, Proverbs 1:22 is a challenge and an invitation. It’s a challenge to stop being stubborn, stop ignoring good advice, and stop making fun of things that matter. And it’s an invitation to turn towards wisdom, learn, and find real peace and direction in life.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 