Deception

(Pro 14:8 KJV)  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

At first this seems like a contrast of two personalities, and it is, but that’s not the point.  You notice that one has “understanding” (995), and the other focuses on “deceit” (4820).  As I read this, I found myself wondering just who is being deceived?  I found the answer earlier in the same verse.

Another word I noticed that stood out when I began asking myself this question was that word in the first half of the verse “his”.  It says the prudent understands his way, but the fool deceives himself about what he’s doing.

The most insidious and prevalent form of deceit is in fooling yourself.  We have different words for it, such as “rationalization”.  We explain it away, because we feel that we are locked into our own perceptions and can’t see things from the other persons point of view.  We have a million excuses, but it ultimately comes down to deceiving ourselves.

So?  God has much to say to us.  If we listen, we learn.  If we ignore, then it is much easier to deceive ourselves.  Again I say, read, listen, contemplate, think, and grow in your understanding of God, and what He has for you.