Ecclesiastes 4:13

Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

 

So there's a bit of scripture above...

I told my beautiful wife that I felt that God wanted me to dig deeper; to take in and understand what I read in His Word, rather than just read it in volume. I had begun to read chapters and chapters in each sitting, and rather than learn from God, I was just building my own ego up, thinking, "I sure do read the Bible a lot."

So a few days ago, in an attempt to be obedient, I sat down and dug deeply into this one, single, verse. I re-read it in different versions of the Bible. I researched the Hebrew word that "admonished" was translated from. I took a very analytical look at it. Then, the following day, God taught me more in an instant than hours study, and research, and analysis taught me on my own.

Thank you, Father, that You guide us with your Holy Spirit. The result is so much more than a religion to follow. It's like You're taking my hand and teaching me how to make it. Help me be that kind of father too.

So the payoff... here's what God had me learn from His Word, and from Him:

Yes, we are fools in the deepest sense if we are too hard-headed to humble ourselves and learn from others' admonishment. If you think you're so smart that you shouldn't learn from reproof, you're an idiot.

That said, we're amiss if we do what so many modern Christians (and ancient Pharisees) have done and weaponize the Word. We can't take a passage like this, and point it at another believer saying, "look at YOU." The fact is, that if I offer someone counsel and they're unwilling to hear it, I probably need to consider whether or not I'm delivering it with grace and humility. I also need to remember what God has to say about pointing out the splinter in another person's eye...

God, thank You for teaching me. I know that it's a slow process. Please help me to grow in the area of offering grace toward others. Help me be ready to receive reproof with a humble spirit, and not to be so quick to give reproof to others. Forgive me for the mess that I am. Help me to get it more right tomorrow.

From the Heart and Mind of:

   Alan K. Manning