Proverbs 14:6

Proverbs 14:6 "A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth."

Blessed with Divine wisdom, Solomon was especially gifted at seeing through what people wanted him to think about them.  After getting his Divine dose of wisdom, this gift was almost immediately on display when two mothers came before him claiming the same thing; that their child was the only one living after one of them died as a result of being rolled onto by one of the women in the middle of the night.  In unforgettable fashion, Solomon saw through the lying mother's claims and exposed her lies by ordering the child to be cut in half and then shared by both mothers.  This, of course, moved the real mother to beg for her child's life while exposing the fraudulent mother's claims.  Solomon was incredibly perceptive and many of his proverbs were written to share those perceptions about deceptive and insincere people.  This is one of those perceptive proverbs.

Not everyone who seeks wisdom really wants it.  Not everyone who asks questions wants real answers.  Not everyone who came to Solomon for judgment wanted justice, as was the case with the lying mother.  Not everyone who came to him for wisdom wanted it as much as they wanted influence or power.  Not everyone who reads the Bible reads it to get truth.  Not everyone who listens to a sermon listens for instruction.  Not everyone who goes to church goes for spiritual direction.  Not everyone who goes to the pastor for counsel goes for advice.  In many of these cases, couples go to counseling simply to be proven right and their spouse proven wrong.  In too many of these cases, many go to church only to be confirmed in their beliefs.  In even more of these cases, many read books and listen to videos strictly to become more convinced of what they already believe to be true.

Such was and is the case for Solomon's SCORNER.  He wrote often and unapologetically about the scorner being the very opposite of humble.  In Proverbs 3:34, of God he wrote, "Surely He scorneth the scorners: but He giveth grace unto the lowly."  He wrote, "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee" in Proverbs 9:8.  Again in Proverbs 13:1, he recorded his observation that "a scorner heareth not rebuke."  Perhaps the most damning statement he made of scorners came in Proverbs 22:10 when he wrote, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease."  In all of these cases and especially in the last one because we know "only by pride cometh contention" (Proverbs 13:10), Solomon saw a scorner as brutally and helplessly proud.  This is the obvious reason then why a scorner never finds the wisdom he seeks - he is too proud to admit he has anything to learn.  A scorner is obnoxious in that he's constantly speaking out against something.  He is unashamed in his constant cruel bashing of something or someone.  He mocks, ridicules and attacks people without reservation because he is absolutely convinced that he is right.  A scorner never thinks he could be wrong or he would temper his bold outbursts for fear of looking incredibly foolish.  A scorner is relentless towards those he disagrees with because in his mind, there isn't a remote possibility that he could be wrong.  Pride makes him who he is and what he says.  Pride defines a scorner and even more tragically, it confines a scorner.  A scorner never changes.  A scorner doesn't repent.  A scorner doesn't come to the knowledge of the truth because he has the answers.  There is no point rebuking, correcting or even responding to a scorner for that reason.
 
On the contrary, someone who has the understanding that they don't have all of the answers is fertile for knowledge.  Knowledge comes easy to the person who first has the humility to accept wisdom and her sister virtue, understanding.  To get wisdom and understanding, we have to recognize our lack of wisdom and understanding.  To obtain wisdom and understanding, we have to be honest and realistic with ourselves, admitting that we lack the answers we seek.  Wisdom comes quickly to the meek who fear God and doubt themselves.  Understanding comes into the heart of the man or woman who has humbly invited wisdom into their heart.  Governed by the understanding that no one has all of the answers, such a person learns very easily.  This proverb isn't talking about learning rocket science or brain surgery; it's referring to learning about God, man, relationships, spiritual knowledge and the things that really matter in life.

This proverb teaches us that going to class in itself isn't the path to learning.  It teaches us that going to church in itself isn't the road to growth.  It instructs us that reading books in itself isn't going to result in becoming wiser.  It informs us that getting counsel in itself isn't going to solve our problems.  This proverb profoundly teaches us that WHY we go to class, attend church, get counsel and read books is the secret to getting wisdom.  If we're reading or watching something to confirm what we already believe to be true, then we're not really seeking answers - we're simply seeking confirmation.  If we go to church to be reminded what we've always believed to be true is true, then we're not really seeking wisdom - we're seeking affirmation.  If we go to a counselor to be reassured that what we've been doing is right, then we're not really seeking insight - we're seeking comfort.  When it comes to truth, our approach is critical.  When it comes to wisdom, our intent is crucial.  When it comes to Biblical, Theological or Relational knowledge, our reason for seeking that knowledge matters.  A man can read a million books but if he has already all of the answers, he'll not get a lick wiser.  A woman can watch a million sermons online but if she refuses to ever be wrong, she'll never get any wiser.  A husband can hear a million counselors but if he's convinced that he already knows everything, he'll never find any answers to his marital problems.  A mother can read a million blog posts but if she's certain she knows best about everything, she'll never learn anything that will actually help her family.
 
Scorners who listen to sermons or read books are in their minds, seeking wisdom.  They never find it because they're not really looking for something that may contradict or correct what they already believe to be true.  Scorners don't find wisdom for the same reason that some people don't find friends.  Some people don't want a real friend - they just want an affirming and approving voice in their lives.  This particular kind of person is arrogant and incessantly insecure.  Any effort they make to find a true friend always fails because the moment a person doesn't affirm or applaud their erroneous way of thinking or living, they can't accept it.  Naturally, that relational prospect sees that fact and quickly moves on, leaving the insecure soul friendless and lonely.  Such is the case with scorner, even the Christian scorner.  Bible in hand, ambition in soul and even invested in time, the Christian scorner who has all of the answers looks only for Wisdom to be an affirming and applauding companion.  Wisdom, by her Divine Nature is too smart for that and refuses to commit to a relationship where she is only useful when she cheers a man or woman on.  

WHY do we read our Bibles?  WHY do we sit under the teaching and preaching of God's word?  WHY do we get counsel from our parents and pastors?  WHY do we read the books that we read and watch the videos we watch?  WHY do we attend the seminars and conferences we attend?  WHY do we go to the Bible colleges we go to?  WHY do we ask the questions we ask?  The WHY matters.  To find true wisdom and to easily get knowledge, our approach must be one of total humility and complete openness.  If there is any fear of being told we’re wrong or learning something new, then we're less interested in truth and more interested in our idea of truth.  If we're afraid of getting it wrong or looking foolish for getting it wrong, then we're refusing Wisdom the liberty to consume and guide us into all truth.  At the end of the day, the scorner seeks Wisdom but trusts himself more than Wisdom.  He knows better than her and doesn't dare let her change him.  What a tragic place to be in!
 
Get understanding by getting wisdom and then knowledge will come easy and often.  Get wisdom by getting down on your knees and humbly surrendering to her just as Solomon did as a young king.