Are You Wise Or Foolish?
Pastor Chip Kawalsingh
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT) - Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
Life is full of choices, we all make them daily. Some choices we can easily make ourselves - they are what Americans call ‘no brainers’ - but others require time, prayer, God’s Word and godly counsel. The book of Proverbs was written for Solomon’s son Rehoboam (you can read about him in 1 Kings 12) as a collection of wise sayings to help him run his kingdom. Rehoboam had a decision to make (1 Kings 12:6) and he did the right thing by consulting his elders, who had also counselled his father. However, Rehoboam also asked advice from some friends he grew up with, and ended up listening to them over his elders and the result was not good (1 Kings 12:8-10).
God has given us pastors and elders in the Church to help give advice and godly counsel (Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:17), but many people, after hearing what they have to say, choose to ignore it and listen to their friends and family instead. This often leads to hardship, broken hearts and a ruined life (Proverbs 15:22).
‘American Idol’ makes for some hilarious viewing. You often see contestants who really, really cannot sing but, no matter how clearly the judges tell them, will not listen. Why? Because their friends and family have told them they can! These people aren’t qualified to give an opinion, but the contestants listen to them instead of the experts. So it is with life. Many people are not qualified to give advice about life, but happily do! You should not listen to them. God has set up His Church so you can be helped and equipped with the advice that you need to live a successful life.
I often hear people say ‘all you need is a good attitude to succeed.’ To a certain extent that is true, but however good your attitude, it will not change the fact that if you are on the wrong road you are heading in the wrong direction! Attitude is not everything. Seek wisdom and godly advice to help you make the right choices (Proverbs 116:3; 9:21; 20:18).
So what does this mean to me?
Do you belong to a Church?
Church is not a place you should just attend; it’s somewhere you should belong. Your roots should go down deep and you should become a devoted and committed member under the authority of the Church. You will never have a ‘happily ever after’ if you are not accountable to anyone. Never listen to those who are not accountable to anyone. Even the disciples of Christ reported back the things they had seen and heard, showing the principle of accountability at work (1 John 1:3; Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10; Acts 4:23; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 5:1).
Do you filter every decision through the Word?
To make decisions based on how you feel is to let your emotions rule your judgment. Pilots, when training, are taught to ignore their feelings and keep their eyes on the instrument panel. Why? Because often the things that you feel are simply not true. Feelings are like water; whatever you pour them into, they will take that shape. Trust in God and His Word and don’t let your emotions make your decisions for you (Proverbs 3:5; 30:5; Psalm 12:6; 119:101).
