First thought

Proverbs 18:13 NKJV — He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

Not long ago I was listening to a sermon and after reading this verse the pastor said:

“Don’t let your first thought be your final answer.” Pastor H.

Nice.

The first thought, the first impression, and that first reaction, are often less than the whole picture.

It requires time and attention to get to the actual kernel: the point in most conversations.

Yet, it’s not uncommon to bite into the first words which register upon the brain.

To begin to “chew” on that first bite, only to discover we have a mouthful of misunderstanding, tasteless and disappointing for either party.

No one wants to be only “somewhat” listened to.

Yet, it’s probable, that most people at one time have “answer(ed) a matter before he hears it,” Proverbs 18:13 (past tense added).

What is even easier than jumping to a conclusion?

Speaking without grasping the point.

We must guard against both assuming we completely understand without listening and to refrain from answering quickly.

Proverbs 10:8 NKJV — The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

Prating foolishness is easy if one speaks before they grasp the point.

Proverbs 13:15 NKJV — Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

How does one truly understand if one has not spent time listening? Especially, when it comes to listening to the Lord.

Proverbs 21:2 NKJV — Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

Not every conversation we have will require diligence to unearth the matter, but all the words we speak should be weighed by us before uttering.

Matthew 12:36 KJV — But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

It’s worthwhile to learn to listen, and most valuable to tame our tongue.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for teaching us the importance of self discipline, especially when it comes to conversation. Lord, please place a guard upon my mouth, and let me not sin against You. Lord, please help me not to be arrogant or impatient with others, assuming I know what they are talking about without giving them the courtesy of my attention. Please, help me to be careful with what I say. Lord, I want to love like You do. I want to speak words of encouragement. Please help me to do so and to truly listen to those around me. Thank You. Amen.

Foolish or wise?

Who has not experienced the irrational behavior of another and wondered what happened?

How long does one have to reflect before recalling the folly observed in another?

What about one’s own irrational or unreasonable behavior?

Each one of us can look backwards and see foolish choices in the past.

But how does one walk forward into wisdom?

Oftentimes, our blindness to our incorrect attitudes or ideas are brought to light by another.

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV — As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

It is vital that we remain humble and teachable.

Proverbs 14:16 NKJV — A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

What does a wise man fear?

Proverbs 1:5-7NKJV — A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

God gives us His Word,

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 4:30 KJV — And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

and godly people to help us learn wisdom.

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV — Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

If we are only willing to hear accolades and affirmation we are missing out on the vital correction of God.

Proverbs 3:11 KJV — My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

God can correct and instruct each one through both large and small circumstances.

Thus all of life is a glorious opportunity to be polished and honed by God, growing more like Him each day.

After the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus the disciples were notably changed.

Acts 4:13 NKJV — Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Their past folly was forgotten as these men walked forward into the path of following Christ with clear understanding of Who He is.

They were so different that even those who didn’t like the change noticed.

That’s inspiring!

“A Christian should have a striking resemblance to Jesus Christ. The best biography of Jesus is His life written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be and should be, we would be pictures of Jesus. We would be such striking likenesses of Him, that the world wouldn’t have to examine us for hours just to say, ‘Well you were somewhat of a likeness.’ Instead when seeing us they would exclaim, ‘They’re what Jesus of Nazareth must have been like– truly good and holy people.'” Charles Spurgeon taken from Morning by Morning

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and Your guidance. Thank You that I can look to the Bible and find how to be wise and not foolish. Lord, thank You that You have given so much and are ready and waiting to continue to polish my heart and make me more like You. Lord Jesus, that’s what I want. I want to look like You, to see the world through Your perspective and to love as You do. Lord Jesus, I’m a frail, sinful being an often choose folly instead of wisdom. Please help me to make wise choices, to listen, and to be teachable. Lord You alone are the all that I need. Thank You. Amen.

The foolish

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘ There  is no God.’ They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.”
Psalms 14:1 NKJV

Denying the existence of God is foolish.

Yet, there’s so much more than a statement here.

When dealing with the heart one can easily see it’s a far more complex idea.

If the fool says in his heart there is no God, he is choosing to limit the Almighty to his own understanding.

But before we pass by this with a self satisfied, “that’s not me”, “I believe in God”, let’s turn the tables a bit.

To be foolish is to doubt God, it’s the opposite of faith.

Thus no one is immune to folly.

All it requires to be foolish is to allow doubt to enter our hearts.

Who else besides Eve has heard the enemy’s cunning: “Has God indeed said…?”

And doubt is always wrapped in veneer of something else, thus we need to be careful.

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

The enemy of our souls has used the message of doubt and fear most effectively throughout history.

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

On top of this our own sinful nature is constantly warring against the truth of God.

Galatians 5:17 NKJV — For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

But all have hope through Christ Jesus for good, for salvation, for wisdom.

John 10:10 NKJV — “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Therefore Jesus, Himself, saves us from folly.

When we put or faith in Him we are saved.

“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
John 17:13‭-‬14 NKJV

Fight the foolishness of doubt with faith in Christ.

It’s not a “once and done” choice, but a diligent daily effort.

“O Lord , how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.”
Psalms 92:5‭-‬6 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your faithfulness. Thank You for saving us from folly through Your Word. Please help each one of us to be on guard for the tricks and snares of the enemy. Please show us where we have allowed doubt to cloud our belief. Lord Jesus teach us, that our hearts might be steadfast and our choices good. Please do not allow us to be double-minded, unstable in all our ways. For Your way is right, Your Word is true, and in You we find all that we need. Thank You. Amen.