Why Are The Wise Wise?

Monday's Devotion (3-13-06)

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." Proverbs 12:15 (KJV)

This scripture tells me a lot. It tells me to be open to correction, it tells me to be open to advice. It tells me that I'm not always right, and that I may need the advice of others. That's important to know. A lot of people think that they're always right, or they at least want to feel like they are. They don't want to admit when they're wrong, this is called "pride." Being prideful is sinful. I've talked to all kinds of people who think that they can't be wrong. Like I said before, one time a minister told me, "I'm a minister of God! I know I'm right!" Oh man, I'm glad that nobody is using me as an example in that way. But it wasn't a wise thing for him or anyone else to say. That comment was very foolish, and it revealed that he is a prideful man. He doesn't like to be instructed or corrected, he likes to be in charge. Guess what? God is in charge, not us! This is why it's important to listen to godly counsel.

I have people that I go to for answers at times. I go to my wife, my mother-in-law, my producer, and my friends like Beryl who helps with the prayer requests here at GodsLovingKindness.com. If people mail me with corrections, I'm always open to hear those corrections. My belief is that if you're not open to correction/instruction from anyone, then you can't have a successful ministry. Does this mean that we should just take any advice given? No! Of course not. If we just listened to anyone about anything then our faith would constantly wavier. I mean there is always someone with a different opinion, but not everyone's opinion is right. It has to be Biblical. If someone tells you something that you're not sure of, ask for scripture reference. Don't be ashamed because you have lack of knowledge and need to ask questions. We all have lack of knowledge, and we learn from each other. If we don't take counsel, how will we learn? If we remain stubborn and prideful, then we will remain unwise. I've heard of people/known people that are so prideful they won't even read the instructions on a box of Macaroni and Cheese. Even to this day these people DON'T know how to cook Macaroni and Cheese. Only because they refuse any kind of instructions, and if they read the instructions or listened to someone they would see how simple it is. It's pretty simple to see why the wise listen to counsel and the fools don't. It's pretty simple to see why the fools are fools and the wise are wise.

I will admit this: I hate when people correct me before they even know I need correction. I'd rather be asked if I know how to do something before I do it, than for people to assume that I don't know how to do it. To me that's just rude. Not only does it seem rude to me, but it seems like they want to take credit for something that I'm about to do. They want to be able to say, "I told him how to do that." That's why sometimes if people try to give me instructions after I've already told them that I know how to do something, I'll cut them off. I won't let them tell me, just because I feel like they want to glory in it and make me look stupid. I mean why else would people try to give instructions to someone who says they know how to do what they're about to do? Correct me after I've made the mistake, don't do it before it happens because you won't know if it's going to happen at all.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins, and we forgive all those who've wronged us. Please help us to be wise, and not foolish. Help us to have open minds for instruction and correction. In Jesus name. A-men!

God bless!

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