Receiving Correction & Instruction

Prov 15:32

He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself, But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].

Being corrected is never pleasant. We often will accept instruction from someone we respect, but to receive correction or criticism from someone who has a “beam in their own eye” is very difficult. We may even cast off their words with disdain or indifference. But the wise person who desires to grow will listen, “The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain among the wise.” Likely, the words they speak often have merit. They may not be delivered in kindness, and may even be misplaced, but in them are elements of truth that we need to correct. A wise person will take correction (No matter how it is given), and take to God is prayer and ask God to examine their heart and do what is necessary to correct what God shows. A heart that fears God, will demonstrate a life of humility and be willing to receive instruction regardless of its source.

Wisdom From Above

 Prov. 3:18
She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are those who hold on to her.
To be truly wise, one must know wisdom. The Bible speaks of the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom from above. They are not the same. The wisdom of this world is grounded in humanity, and the welfare and the success of man. Choices that gain riches and material gain for this life. What is expedient and advantageous. Jesus talks about building your life on a firm foundation. The person who has wisdom will build it on a solid rock, a foolish person will build it on the sand (wisdom of this world). The wisdom from above is life from God. It is focused on doing what is right and not what is expedient. Following the wisdom of God will many times go contrary to the thinking of the world, it is wisdom that will lead to eternal life. Wisdom from God is to have Christ the center of life choices. For in Him we have life and have it more abundantly, it is finding happiness and fulfillment in Him, something the wisdom of this world cannot give. 
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”- Matt 7:24

Wisdom From Above

 James 3:17
 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Our relationship with people, especially those of the world, who are void of the Spirit of God must exhibit the peace of God. During the time of Covid 19 pandemic, there were many viewpoints that could cause conflict and strife among friends and family. It is given to Christians to make sure that we maintain a peaceable relationship with our neighbors and all those we come in contact with. We all have a right to our opinion, but we must be wise when and how we express it. As Paul states, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” This does not mean that you give up your opinion, or you compromise your Bible beliefs, but it does mean that we should be willing to stand down and allow the love of Christ and the peace of God to rule in our hearts. This is the wisdom from above.

House Built On The Rock

Matt. 7:25 …A wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

The measure of wisdom is determine on the source of truth. Jesus, the spoken word is the foundation of all that is true. The house we our building is the life we live in this earthen vessel. The choices we make in life will determine whether we have been wise or foolish. Does our “house” still stand when the testing of life assault us? If we have lived our lives in Christ, then we can be assured that our foundation will not crumble beneath us. He is the rock in which we have built our life on. Other foundations may look solid and have deceived many. Jesus, who the rock in which we build our house is the only sure foundation that will not crumble when the storms of life hit. Build your house on Christ, the solid Rock and you will not be sorry.