Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

The fool is scatter-brained. He has no focus. His eyes wander from one thing to another. They are here, there, and everywhere. With no settled purpose he skips from one thing to another. His passions are all about his needs and desires of the moment. He might have big dreams, but his various lusts will keep him from accomplishing them. His thoughts are "earthly, sensual, devilish" (James 3:15). When he tries to focus on business at hand, his mind is filled with a thousand impertinent thoughts. No one can trust or rely on him.

The person of understanding is a person of discernment and knowledge. He can comprehend the difference between that which is temporal or eternal; that which is fact or fiction; that which is lasting or that which is decaying; that which is steady or that which is ready to tumble over. Wisdom is before him. It is his focus. It is ready for every occasion. He asks God for wisdom (James 1:5). God gives Him "wisdom from above" (James 3:17). He is building his life on a firm foundation. Others seek and trust his judgment.

Proverbs 4:25-27 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Ron Cox - Director of H.O.P.E. Ministry