Avoiding strife...

Week 42:

Proverbs 20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

A dictionary definition of strife is:  very angry or violent disagreement between two or more people or groups; bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension; an act of contention; exertion or contention for superiority.  A common buzz word relating to this that I hear on a regular basis is, “Drama.”  There are those who thrive on strife and drama.  However, most of us may only quarrel in certain situations. 

 

What is it about strife that entices me to follow it down a path?  Now I am not one who is big on creating strife.  In fact, if it were up to me, I would avoid conflict all together.  I do realize that healthy conflict creates growth, yet I still dislike it.  Still, there are times where I get involved and even sometimes create strife in my life.

 

This really depends on the situation for me.  Most of the time when I create or carry on strife, it is around some unmet need or want.  I am not getting what I really want, therefore. I power up and go at the situation through conflict.  Usually, when this happens, I become defensive and begin to protect my heart.  I make excuses for my actions and decisions and become argumentative when I feel my character being attacked. 

Most of the time, this idea about my character being attacked is all about perception.  I just perceive that being disagreed with is about my character.  Truth be known, it has little to do with me at all.  My reaction though is based on my own insecurity.  If someone gets close to what I am insecure about, I become defensive and strife usually follows.  In fact, within the above definition, the area describing the exertion of superiority fits my style of strife.  I do not want to feel inferior, so I set myself up as superior in order to guard that part of me that feels insecure.  From this place of superiority I become condescending and sarcastic.  What I think is protecting me is actually placing a barrier between me and the other person.  This in turn may damage the relationship. 

How do I get to a place where my insecurity is no longer in the way?  I need to put this verse into practice.  I must avoid strife.  I am not to avoid necessary conflict.  That is different than the strife.  Conflict is inevitable.  To avoid it would cause repressed, hidden, and denied problems that may surface as strife later.  What I am to avoid is needless strife.  So, how do I do that?

First, I need to acknowledge my insecurity for what it is; my insecurity.  I need to own and take responsibility for how I feel and how my insecurity makes me feel.  By doing this, I recognize that perceived attacks on my character may be just that; perceived.  I also must own any truths spoken about me.  If I am accused of being condescending, then I need to acknowledge that my statement was condescending. 

Secondly, I need to recognize that the person I’m dealing with has an opinion.  I may not agree with that opinion.  Never the less, I must respect that he has an opinion.  He is coming into the situation with his insecurities and past and he is formulating his opinions based on those.  This approach actually allows me to have compassion and empathy for him.  A great verse for me around this thought is Romans 12:18.  This verse helps me to have a peace with the one I’m dealing with. 

Third, I need to set boundaries.  What does this mean?  The conversation needs to stay on the task or issue at hand.  I must separate myself from the facts and issue.  When she begins to attack my character and get personal, I need to redirect the conversation to the issue at hand.  I also need to gently help her to see that this is a boundary for me.  We can discuss my character later when we are both ready emotionally to do so, otherwise, we must stay on topic. 

Finally, I have to believe what I know is true about me in Jesus.  Because of Jesus and my faith in Him, I am a good man.  God created me good, He did not change His mind even though I have made many bad choices in my life and have not followed Him like I should at times.  Again here, I also need to take responsibility for what I have done, yet also lean on the truth of my goodness. 

As I write this out, I realize that I still have a lot of work to do in the area.  Hopefully, I have done better in the more recent years.  I thank God for His patience and His transforming power.  I am also thankful for passages He sends my way as I continue to work on my heart.

Questions/Challenges:

1.      What stands out for you as you read this passage?

2.      Are you guilty of thinking of an example of someone you know rather than yourself when it comes to reading this piece of scripture?  Explain.

3.      Describe your insecurity that fosters strife when someone “attacks”.

4.      Think back to a confrontation that involved strife.  What was your insecurity?  What was the other person’s insecurity?

5.      Pay attention this week to how you handle perceived attacks on your character.  Ask God to reveal to you how you react in the moment.  Ask for God to reveal truth about you to you. 

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My peace accepted...

Week 41:

Matthew 10:12-14 ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

This passage is a part of the instructions Jesus had for his disciples as he sent them out.  This particular piece has me thinking about how I respond to those I am trying to serve or help and they are not willing to receive that help. 

 

When I put myself out there to serve or help and I end up feeling rejected, my initial reaction is to be dismissive.  I want to exit and hide.  I want to take my toys and go home and basically tell the person, “Rain on you.”  I believe my intent is to cause them to feel pain for rejecting me or manipulate them into accepting my gift so that I can be praised.  However, this chosen behavior actually puts a burden of bitterness on me.

As I look at what Jesus instructed His disciples to do, I see that He instructed them to “shake the dust off your feet”.  On the surface, this looks like what I do.  I shake the dust off my feet by exiting quickly and taking my toys and going home.  However, I don’t think that Jesus wanted His disciples (or me) to have malicious intent when leaving a place they were not accepted. 

The key is verse 13, my peace.  If I approach a service situation with my peace intact, then I have no ego tied into the situation.  I offer myself to help; if it is not accepted, I take my offer back.  The key to avoiding bitterness is to come from a place of peace.  If I truly approach a situation with a selfless attitude, then I am able to handle the rejection understanding that the rejection has little or nothing to do with me.  I have made my offer, now I can shake the dust off my feet as a symbol of knowing that I have done what might have been prompted by the Holy Spirit.  Here I am reminded of the prophets of the Old Testament.  When God gave them a message to give to the people and the people chose not to follow what the message said, then the prophet was held blameless for the people’s choice.

If I come from a place of peace and selflessness, as opposed to focusing how I might feel after helping someone, then I am able to walk away without carrying bitterness and contempt for the person.  This is a fine line for me.  Most of the time, subconsciously, I am offering help in order to gain approval or be someone’s hero.  When the help is rejected, I feel rejected and begin to believe a message about me that I am unworthy.  In order to not feel that way, I turn this back on the individual by exiting or wishing harm on them.  I believe that I have been prompted to help, but my approach must be from a place of peace.  Once I am able to offer from that place, I am open to the Spirit’s leading.  If my peace is accepted, great!  If my peace is rejected, it falls back on me and I move on with no bitterness of heart. 

My challenge is to work from a place of peace.  I have more work to do around being in touch with the Holy Spirit knowing that where he leads may not be about helping as much as it may be about handling my peace.

Questions/challenges:

1.      Explain how you have handled rejection when offering help?

2.      When you have been rejected, what has been you defense mechanism?

3.      What does “shaking the dust off your feet” look like for you?

4.      What is getting in the way of you entering a service situation with peace?

5.      Notice this week how you react to those you want to help and they reject you.  What is God telling you about yourself in this situation?  What needs to change in order to get you to a place of peace?

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Speak to the sin...

Week 40:

Acts 16:16-18 ¹⁶ Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” ¹⁸ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

I have often heard the phrase, “Love the sinner and hate the sin.”  I believe it is based on how Jesus views us in our sin.  I also believe that we as Christians should treat each other according to this statement as well.  I’ve tried, as best I can, to follow this philosophy.  I was recently teaching from this area in Acts and this passage stood out to me as a reminder of how to love the sinner and hate the sin.

As I was studying the passage, one of the commentaries mentioned how Paul addressed the evil spirit and not the girl.  The commentator went on to note that this was the common way that Jesus and his disciples dealt with evil spirits.  He spoke directly to the spirit and not the person bound by the evil spirit.  When Jesus was dealing with the demon-possessed man of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:8-13), He spoke to the demons. 

 

This passage reminds me to separate the actions or choices from the core of the person.  Like this picture above, the storeroom is cluttered.  Is that the reflection of the storeroom?  The storeroom is a storeroom.  The clutter is what needs to be rearranged.  We don’t destroy the storeroom because of the clutter.  Now, if the clutter remains too long, then the storeroom may be damaged in some way by the neglect of the clutter and therefore be destroyed or remodeled. 

Our life is a lot like this.  My sin is based on my choices.  I choose to follow my flesh, believe the lies of suggestion by the evil one, succumb to temptation, and/or blatantly decide to be self-serving.  When I choose one or more of these, I clutter the storeroom of my heart.  Now, the storeroom of my heart was built by God.  God created me good.  When my choices do not follow God’s plan, I begin to fill my storeroom with other things besides what God has for me.  This does not make me bad at my core, but it does reflect badly on my character and image as a man of God.  If I continue to fill my storeroom with this “junk”…and…leave it unattended, I can endanger my storeroom.  Is there a point of no return?  Truthfully, only God can decide that.  However, I really do not want to get to that point in my life.

One thing I have discovered while working with others around the choices in their lives is that when I “speak to the sin” or choices and separate out the core of their being; I see the beginning of transformation for them.  When I guide them to see the truth of who they are versus their choices, they begin to have hope.  This is not to say that we ignore the consequences for their choices.  Those consequences may stay with them in some way for the rest of their life.  David’s sin with Bathsheba is an example.  However, despite the consequences, God can still use their life for good.  They can still draw on the power within them guided by the Holy Spirit. 

For me, the biggest challenge is to believe in my own goodness…the goodness that God used when He created me.  When I look around, all I see is the clutter in my storeroom.  One thing I have found is a group of men who can help me see my core goodness and in turn help me clean out the junk in my life.  These men help me to separate the sin from the sinner.  These men help me to see my choices, how the choices affect me and others, and walk along side of me as I make better choices.  For me, this group has come from my work in The Crucible Project.  For men, I highly recommend this Christian organization.  Even if you are not able to connect with this group, I challenge all to find a group of people that will be authentic and able to speak truth into your life.  Choose a group that can both point out what is good about you as well as help you de-clutter your storeroom.  This action will create a more authentic walk with God.  It has for me.

Questions/challenges: 

1.      When observing the choices of others, how often have you judged them as a bad person?

2.      What keeps you from looking at the choice separate from the person?

3.      What has this type of action done for you in your relationships with these you have judged?

4.      Explain how hard it is to practice loving the sinner and hating the sin as it applies you and your heart and life?

5.      What makes is difficult for you to see your own God-given goodness?

6.      This week, pay attention to two things:  First, notice how you see others in the light of loving the sinner and hating the sin.  Where do you need to improve here?  Second, notice the same for yourself.  Where do you need to hear the truth about your from God (especially around your goodness)?

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Making deals with God...

Week 39:

Judges 11:30-35 ³⁰ And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, ³¹ whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”  ³² Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands.  ³³ He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.  ³⁴ When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. ³⁵ When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.”

The following has been one of my favorite devotional thoughts for years. I have used it in many settings, usually with teens. However, it is a lesson we all can use and a great reminder to me.

How many times have we made deals with God? When we were young we would say things like, “God, if you would get me out of this, then I will never sin again.” Or, “Help me pass this test and I promise I will study from the beginning next time.” Or, “If you will get me through this situation, I will be more devoted to you.” The list can go on and on. Of course, when we were young, many of these deals were the kind we could not keep. Even though we are a new creation in Christ, the remnant of sin is still being flushed out of our system and we will fail to keep some promises, deals, or vows. Even now I make my deals with God. Those deals may not be out loud like in my youth, but they are deals just the same. I think, “If I just pray more, God will bless me.” “If I follow this ‘method’ I will draw near to Him and Him to me.” Maybe this jars some memories for you and your deals with God. The thing about making deals with God is…He may hold you to your end of the deal. And sometimes that is not pleasant.



Several years ago a passage of scripture I had read over many times really began to stick to my heart. As I re-read and study this passage I continue to gain new insights into God and how he works. It gave me chills to think about the deals I had made with God. It is the story of the judge Jephthah (Judges 11 and 12). Jephthah is about to go into battle with the Ammonites. Beginning in Judges 11:30, Jephthah makes a vow with God as he enters into this battle.

30And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

God gave Jephthah the victory he asked for. In fact, he routed the Ammonites. God kept His end of the deal…now comes Jephthah’s part.

34When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. 35When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.” Judges 11:34-35

Now before I get to the ‘deal’, I want to go down a quick rabbit trail here. I’m not sure if this is just how it is translated to English or if there is any intent of this phrase toward how I will critique it but notice what Jephthah says, “Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched…” Notice how it is phrased. How many times have I done something rash, and the result made me realize how rash it was, and in an emotional outburst, cast the blame on someone else? Wow, that one hit me square between the eyes. Initially, one of God’s appointed did not own his decision, he blamed his daughter. That phrase is both comforting and scary. Comforting because I know I am not alone, nor the first, when casting blame in an emotional moment. Scary because a righteous man of God can fall into that trap even though it is a natural reaction.

Now, back to the ‘deal’ Jephthah made. I fantasize that Jephthah envisioned that when he would get home coming to meet him at the gate would be one of the sheep or goats or even his trusty dog Rover. But no, it is his only daughter. It could have even been his wife. Jephthah made a deal with God and God kept His end of the bargain. What is interesting is the vow Jephthah made. He could have stopped at: “…whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s…” It’s a reasonable deal to dedicate whatever he met at the gate to the Lord. That’s a safe play. I mean, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord. She didn’t get to raise him, but he didn’t die either. So, why did Jephthah go to the extent of not only dedicating to the Lord, but also offering to sacrifice to the Lord? Scholars are divided in their interpretation of this story. Some believe that because the Spirit of the Lord (vs. 29) had come upon Jephthah he could not sacrifice his daughter. They look at the text as saying just making a sacrifice (burnt offering) in general and essentially cursing his daughter to never marry or bear children the rest of her life. They also believe that human sacrifice is against God’s law (easy to believe). However, these same scholars believe that the vow was to sacrifice a human because a dog and/or many other animals would have been unacceptable sacrifices. Others believe that Jephthah took inspiration from Abraham and how God rescued Isaac from his hand, hoping that God would do the same for him. Even others believe that he did go through with his vow because he had made it to God and had no choice. Jephthah also lived in area where the Israelites had begun some of the practices of the neighboring countries and that Jephthah was influenced by them.

Regardless of the interpretation of Jephthah’s final decision, what are some lessons we can take from this text? One, I must be intentional and discerning about promises and vows that I make with God. This is God, the one true God that I am dealing with. As I continue to read scripture, God is a God of mercy and grace. However, when it comes to oaths, there are many passages where he holds his people to their oaths. God does not give us a pass on a rash vow or oath. Jesus talks about oaths and letting your “…Yes be Yes, and your No, No.” (Matthew 5:37) God takes vows seriously. Vows to God are not all bad…but what is our intent? Is it to gain the blessing am I vowing for and is my want misguided to the point that I am not thinking about what I am promising God? I am not saying “play it safe” here by choosing something to vow that is easy to follow through with. There must be some sacrifice to a vow of this nature. What I am asking here is, “What is my intent?” Is my vow to gain blessing or is my vow to honor God regardless the answer?

Secondly, are my vows rooted in my lack of trust for God? Am I so lacking in faith at times that I have to make a deal with God thinking it will prompt him to action? Again, lacking in faith is normal as we have seen in many of the great men and women of the Bible. Sometimes the vow gives us focus and clarity we may not have had before.

Third, when I make a vow, I need to follow through in order to stay in integrity. If it is up to me, I must fulfill the vow. In some circumstances when obvious blocks to finishing the vow keep me from it (I am not condoning looking for those blocks as a cop out) it must be God either saying, “You’ve done enough” (like I envision he felt for Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice Isaac), or, “This is not what I wanted from you.” Otherwise, I am to finish or keep my vow to God.

Fourth, my vows to God can affect those around me. Just like making choices can affect my family, friends, and others (even long term), so can my vows to God. Jephthah’s vow affected more than just him. Imagine the conversation with his wife. Wife: “I don’t know if this is a good idea.” Jephthah: “God will take care of me.” Later…Wife: “I told you so!” Jephthah: “Maybe I should listen to your intuition.” There are vows to ministries that have affected my family and still do. My current job is a ministry that puts us in a position that my wife has to work full time. There are times where that puts a strain on us. Think long term when considering a vow with God. It does not mean, do not vow, but be intentional and discerning.

Finally, notice the attitude and submissiveness of Jephthah’s daughter (11:36-38). Now, I am well aware that the time in history and the Israelite culture was very patriarchal. Children were trained to be submissive. However, what an awesome example of submissiveness to authority this example is for us. Ultimately, we must submit to God’s authority. Even in times of trouble, like Job, God asks for submission, expects submission. Some of this submission is out of fear. Some of this submission stems from faith. Some of this submission is for our own good…God knows what is best for us. Some of this submission is so we can understand authority and be in authority ourselves. God will further His kingdom with or without us. Our submission allows us to join Him in His work. I have always been amazed by Jephthah’s daughter’s submissiveness. I do not know many daughters today who would be that submissive.

In conclusion, the story of Jephthah and his vow to God is choke full lessons. I am sure there are many more stories and lessons to be learned out of these few verses in the Old Testament. I encourage all to review Old Testament stories we all grew up with and look at them from more mature eyes. God has revealed to me many new insights into His nature, character, and personality. Obviously, I am only scratching the surface of such an ominous God. But, this little piece draws me closer.

Questions/challenges:

1.      In what ways do you make deals with God?

2.      Describe a time where you made an oath to God that you realized later it may have been rash?

3.      Where has God held you to the deal/vow you have made?

4.      Where has making a deal/vow with God worked out for you?

5.      What, if anything, disturbs you about this passage?  Explain.

6.      Where do you need to examine your life around oaths?

7.      Spend time this week thinking about the oaths, vows, agreements you have made recently.  Where does God come into the picture for you around these agreements?  Ask God to walk you through as you fulfill your agreements.

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Blame to cover shame...

Week 38:

Genesis 3:12-13 ¹² The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” ¹³ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Our society’s lack of responsibility for action is nothing new.  From the beginning, humans have cast blame on to other things in order to avoid responsibility.  Adam and Eve made a choice.  After that choice, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.  Why would they not own their responsibility?

I think they were avoiding shame.  Feeling shame stirs up a powerful emotional response.  When I am in a shameful frame of mind, I will do, say, and act in strange ways to avoid the pain of shame.  Personally, I will use anger, defensiveness, and blame to avoid shame or shameful messages. 

How do we know that Adam and Eve were avoiding shame?  Look back at the end of Genesis 2 (2:25) and notice how they felt.  They were naked and felt no shame.  Once they ate of the fruit, their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked.  They were feeling shame.  Did they feel shame because they were naked?  I think not.  Their heart was exposed.  They had disobeyed and now were feeling remorse and shame.  They had realized that what they had done was against what God had set out and they began to believe that they may have disappointed God.

So, let’s fast forward to today.  I watch and experience boys, girls, men, women, and I use blame and excuse to avoid the painful messages of shame.  When I miss the mark on something, my first inclination is to blame something else or give some sort of excuse (which is a form of casting blame).  A common scenario I deal with as a school Principal is when a student is not doing well in a class.  In this situation, it is not unusual for the student to make a comment like, “The teacher just doesn’t like me.” Or, “That teacher singled me out.” Or, “There is just a personality conflict.”  Although at times that may be true, most of the time this is a sure sign of a student avoiding shame.  He/she are not taking care of his/her requirements for the class, or he/she does not understand the material and feels ‘stupid’.  Either of these may cause shame.  Now I’m not saying that the student’s blame game is malicious.  They are truly avoiding the shame; the pain is too much.

 

When I look at it this way, I have some compassion on the student.  I get it…because I do it myself.  The pain or the embarrassment of the shame is more than I am willing to go through.  I do not want to face the work it will take to rid myself of that shame. 

Now, dealing with others (students, my children, accountability partners), I can have a different approach to the ‘blame game’.  I can ask a question like, “It’s easier to lay blame than to own what happened and feel stupid or that you have disappointed me isn’t it?”  I can have grace for others in that situation.  I also can have grace and compassion on myself.  I can begin to recognize that I am avoiding the painful and condemning messages of shame in my life.  This is not to say that I do not hold another or myself accountable for missing the mark.  However, it does allow me a different approach and method.

Questions/challenges:

1.      Think of a recent situation where someone would cast blame instead of taking responsibility for an action.  Now dig underneath, how is this about avoiding shame?

2.      What shame do you cover with blame and excuse?

3.      In what ways has this article opened up your thinking?

4.      What is a step you can take toward having compassion on one who lays blame (including yourself)?

5.      This week, ask God to show where you cover your shame.  Ask Him to come into your heart and help to know the truth about the goodness He created in you.

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The evil and God's promise...

Week 37

Spend some time this week meditating on this passage.  Read through the passage slowly 3 times each day and answer the questions.

 

Psalm 37:1-13

¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

² for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

⁴ Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him and he will do this:

⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord

and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret—it leads only to evil.

⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed,

but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land

and enjoy peace and prosperity.

¹² The wicked plot against the righteous

and gnash their teeth at them;

¹³ but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

for he knows their day is coming.

Questions/challenges:

1. What is God saying to you today from this passage?
2. What jumped off the page as you read this passage?
3. How does this passage, or part of this passage, apply to your current life situation?
4. What action do you think God is calling you to after reading this today?
5. As you read this passage, what stirs in your heart? How do you feel?
6. Where do you see this passage at work in the world currently?
7. In what ways?
8. Ask God to reveal something new to you from this passage each day.

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Put it into practice...

Week 36:

Matthew7:24-27 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

As Jesus finished what we know as the Sermon on the Mount, He uses the above parable. So many different teachings can and do come from this passage. In fact a children’s “Sunday School” song came from this passages. Let’s look at some of what can be learned from this passage.

To build a house or a building, there must first be a solid foundation. If there is no foundation, then the builder digs down and lays one on the bedrock. To build our life in Christ, we must lay a foundation of knowledge of Jesus’ teachings and faith in Him. When storms (trying times) come, our house can stand because of this knowledge and faith base. Whereas, if we do not have the strong foundation of knowledge and faith; we will fall away because we have little faith. This is a great lesson to ponder and very applicable to the Christian walk.  

Another lesson can be the comparison between the wise and the foolish. The Proverbs are full of examples of wisdom vs. foolishness. By focusing on the fool in this story one can learn not how to do something. The story of the three little pigs comes to mind when I focus on the fool. Which house stood in that story? The one made out of brick. A solid structure built by wisdom. So, a great lesson on wisdom can be pulled from this story as well.

My favorite teaching from this passage comes from a preacher/teacher friend. He asks the question, “What is the difference between the wise man and the foolish man in this story?” He waits as he receives various answers similar to my two examples. Then, he mentions what I think is the core of the whole story. The wise man hears Jesus’ words and put them into practice. This view is simple but profound. If I think about it, nothing else matters but to put Jesus’ words into practice. The rest is just an example of the man who does and the man who doesn’t.

Now, I’ve always pretty much been a rules follower. Of course, I had my rebellious stretch in life, but for the most part, if a credible person told me to do something, then I generally complied. It’s the rules. However, in reflection, I wonder how many times I have walked away from a sermon or a Bible study where truth was revealed and I did not put it into practice in my life. In fact, if I were to trace back to the source of spiritual breakdowns in my life, I bet I would find that I did not heed Jesus’ words and put them into practice in my life. Conversely, when I put Jesus’ words into practice (even better, have them in my heart) they become a part of my belief system. I start living my life by Jesus’ standards and spiritually, life is more solid, no matter the circumstances.

Another passage comes to mind when I think about this concept of putting Jesus’ words into practice. James 1:22-25 says, “ 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” Daily, I must challenge myself to hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice. When I do, my journey will have more purpose and meaning. And…I will be able to stand in times of trouble.

Questions/challenges:

1. What has been your life work around this passage? How has it touched you?
2. Where do you need to put Jesus’ words into practice?
3. Describe a time where putting Jesus’ words into practice has been beneficial.
4. Describe a “spiritual crash” that may have been the result of not putting Jesus’ words into practice.
5. What do you need to do in order to follow putting Jesus’ words into practice?
6. This week, pay attention to what Jesus may be telling you and look for a way to put His words into practice. Notice the results.
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