What does Proverbs 15:21 mean?
Proverbs routinely notes that ignoring God (Proverbs 1:7) leads to dire consequences. Many of those are eternal (Proverbs 10:25; 11:7), but they also involve the present natural effects of our choices (Proverbs 11:3, 6). Why, then, do people choose to sin and ignore God? As this proverb notes, the reason is because there can be temporary pleasure—amusement and diversion—in earthly sin (Hebrews 11:25). The one lacking discernment has fun with sin; he fails to take it seriously and see its dangers (Proverbs 11:19).The person who enjoys their sin does not realize they are spiritually dead. Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:12 about condemned people, "who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." The Devil deludes people by suggesting that sinful pleasure is true pleasure, but true pleasure is found only in doing God's will. The psalmist writes: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).
The contrast to foolishly wallowing in sin is to follow the path laid out by God (Proverbs 2:6–10). A God-honoring person (Proverbs 3:5–7) does not wander from the straight and narrow way to indulge in sinful pleasures.
Proverbs 15:13–30 continues Solomon's contrasting descriptions of the wise and the foolish. In this book, those ideas are associated with accepting or rejecting God's truth, respectively (Proverbs 1:7). He writes about the gladness of the upright, wise person and the depressing existence of the wicked, foolish person. He contrasts attitudes, thoughts, and actions of both kinds of individuals, and he states that the Lord is far from the wicked but close enough to the righteous to hear their prayers.
Solomon begins this chapter of Proverbs by addressing subjects such as anger and self-control and how those reactions produce different responses from others. That extends to how carefully a person guards their words, and their responses to questions. Wise people seek wisdom and humbly accept it. Foolish people are careless, lazy, or arrogant. Solomon also notes the importance of perspective, and once again commends those who sincerely seek godly wisdom.
