3 Types of People According to Proverbs: Which One Are You?

Proverbs is a book containing a collection of sayings full of wisdom and prudence written in poetic language. The contents of this anthology, whose writing spans several eras, were for the most part written by Solomon (Proverbs 10:1-22:6). The rest are contributions from several other writers, including Hezekiah's men (Proverbs 25-29), Agur son of Jakeh (Proverbs 30), and Lemuel's mother (Proverbs 31).

The sayings and instructions in Proverbs invite people to live wiselyin the fear of the Lord so that they may have a good quality of life. In a number of passages, there is discussion about human characters that are so universal, practical, and still relevant even in this modern age.

There are three types of people according to the book of Proverbs that we can learn from:

1. The Inexperienced Person (Proverbs 1:1-3:1-12)

The inexperienced person believes every word, but the wise person watches his steps. - Proverbs 14:15

A child is like a clean white sheet of paper. On it, we can make careless scribbles or create a beautiful painting.

So it is with young people who are still inexperienced. Usually they are more innocent, so they are easily persuaded anddeceived. They do not know danger and are less alert to people who intend to harm them, lead them astray, or make them instruments of evil (Proverbs 1:10-16) Therefore, it is no wonder that many young people get involved in the wrong crowd and end up in alcohol, drugs, or criminal practices.

For the inexperienced will be killed by their own turning away, and fools will be destroyed by their carelessness. - Proverbs 1:32

Proverbs' counsel for inexperienced people is to listen to their parents' instruction (Proverbs 1:8-9). Parents should not grow tired or weary of advising their children. The counsel of parents will become a reminder for their children when they grow up and face problems, enabling them to do what is right.

Young Christians

"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul advises those who are inexperienced, who are still young in the Christian faith, to imitate him in following Christ.

The key to growing quickly is to imitate mentors or our older spiritual brothers and sisters. Listen often to advice, be open to receiving teaching, and put into practice the instruction you receive. That way, you will know how to respond to problems correctly, and you will also become more skilled in helping others know the Lord or teaching the word.

2. The Wise Person (Proverbs 3:1-26)

This does not mean that wise people never haveconflicts, have no problems, or never make mistakes. Joseph was involved in conflict with his eleven brothers, but he was willing to forgive them and regarded everything that happened to him as being by the will and plan of God.

"Indeed, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring about what has happened today, to preserve the lives of many people." - Genesis 50:20

Characteristics of Wise People

• Humble when disciplined by the Lord A wise person always learns from the events of life, seeks to understand what the Lord's purpose is in allowing all of it to happen, and trusts in His way. When experiencing trials or life's challenges, he does not become bitter or disappointed and thereby miss the valuable lesson behind it.

The way of the LORD is a refuge for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. - Proverbs 10:29

• Not easily angered or disappointed with others because they always see from God's point of view Rather than quickly blaming, judging, or viewing others negatively, a wise person will try to analyze the situation from various points of view, and above all, from the perspective of God. He considers what is important and what is not important enough to make an issue of.

A fool shows his hurt at once, but a wise person overlooks an insult. - Proverbs 12:16

• Loves advice and rebuke For a wise person,, advice and rebuke are opportunities to gain knowledge. In practice, this is certainly not easy. No matter how good a rebuke may be, it will not feel pleasant and will be painful. Yet the wise person is convinced that there is always a right way of thinking in everything.

Give a wise person advice, and he will become even more wise, teach a righteous person, and his knowledge will increase. - Proverbs 9:9

In short, wise people are those described in Proverbs 2:9: "Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity, indeed every good path."

3. The Foolish Person (Proverbs 10)

Try checking the list below to see whether perhaps we belong to the foolish.

• Repeats the same mistakes over and over Actually, he knows what is right and what is not, but he keeps repeating the same patterns and foolishness.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. - Proverbs 26:11

• Has difficulty accepting input and advice, especially rebuke He considers himself wise, his problems the heaviest, his case special, and that no one can understand him. Only he knows the truth. He always sees other people's faults but misses his own. He refuses self-examination and does not want to change.

Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool ... - Proverbs 28:26

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his own heart. - Proverbs 18:2

• His anger explodes

In the hands of a fool, a small problem becomes a big one, even though it could be resolved in a simple way. He sulks over trivial things and feels entitled to be angry. He punishes others with the act of shutting down (silent treatment), saying nothing at all with a heart full of anger and hatred. On the other hand, that does not mean that a wise person cannot be angry. It is just that they try to calm it before that anger leads them into sin. A fool vents all his anger, but a wise person eventually quiets it. - Proverbs 29:11

• Considers himself wise He justifies his actions, looks for reasons not to change, tends to go around in circles, focuses on the negative in others, and exaggerates his own goodness.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he consider himself wise. - Proverbs 26:5

So, which type are you right now?

Are you a young Christian who is inexperienced? That is all right, you can learn from the mistakes and experiences of others. You can still grow and equip yourself with knowledge of the word, as well as imitating the heroes of faith whom you admire.

What if you turn out to be a wise person? Good, but stay watchful and do not become proud. Even wise people can make mistakes, and therefore, you need to keep learning and examining yourself from time to time.

And, if you are the type of person who is foolish, will you keep holding on to being the same person, or do you want to change and become more wise? If you want to change, know that the change is not as difficult as you imagine. By learning to humble yourself and to fear the Lord, your understanding will be opened little by little. Surely, you will become wiser and even be able to lead others onto the right path as well.

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. - Proverbs 9:10

Related Articles:

• Wise with Time: Make Every Moment Count
• The Example of Kings Who Feared God
• Spiritual Disciplines: Why and How?
• Leave the Habit of Anger Before It's Too Late
• Humble, Not Just Free from Pride - GKDI

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