The woman Folly is rowdy, she is gullible and knows nothing. She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths. “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!” Proverbs 9:13-17 HCSB
I can remember a time as a teenager a friend of mine asked me to hold his cigarette for him for a moment. While doing so he asked me, “Don’t you want to try it and see what smoking is like?” When I said, “No,” he responded, “Doesn’t it make you feel important?” to which I replied, “No.” He was tempting me and encouraging me to smoke. I can proudly say that I have never even tried to smoke. It is an activity that I have never had an interest in trying.
In contrast to wisdom, Folly is represented by a woman who is rowdy and gullible. A person who follows Folly instead of wisdom is one who knows nothing, is inexperienced, lacks sense, and enjoys stealing. A gullible soul can be described as empty-headed and lacking wisdom. There is no desire to gain wisdom. Folly calls out to those who are passing by trying to tempt them to follow her evil paths.
Challenge: The evil one consistently tries to tempt you. Folly will lead you down the path to destruction if you yield to her temptations. Pray for strength to stand strong in the face of the temptations the world throws your way.