Wisdom is Submissive

Chuckle: Senior basketball player at a major university: "I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." (now isn't that beautiful?)

Quote: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." --Proverbs 16:18 NIV

A WISE PERSON IS SUBMISSIVE

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17 NIV). "It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (I Corinthians 1:30 NIV).

Have you heard the old saying, "You would argue with a sign post and then take the wrong road?" Oh how difficult it is sometimes to submit ourselves to the persuasion of others; to realize that it is a virtue, and a sign of heavenly wisdom, to be persuadable -- to be open to reason. Sometimes, our pride stands in the way of our being open to reasonable counsel from God and other people.

Sometimes, we continue to defend our position even after we come to realize we are dead wrong. Our pride just won't let us admit we are wrong and that someone else may be wiser in a given situation. A person who is open to reason is able to absorb the ideas of others, make judgments concerning the wisdom of those ideas, and, when appropriate, modify their own thinking and attitudes accordingly.

How approachable are you? Are you one of those who says: "Don't bother me with the facts, my mind is made up? Are you open to discussion - open to reason? Are you prone to accept advice? Can your spouse, children, or grandchildren come to you and have you listen with an open mind? Or do your prejudices and biases render you unable to listen and be open to reasonable persuasion?

Some people are more prone to believe gossip and rumor than the truth. They never check the source - never check for accuracy - just get all upset about something that is untrue. Being open to reason will allow you to make Godly judgments about the accuracy of what you hear. Perhaps no other characteristic is more indicative of Godly wisdom than being open to reason. For example, such wise Christians submit themselves to the spiritual guidelines of the church and do not demand their own way. If you become involved in a dispute with a fellow Christian, sometimes it is wise to swallow your pride and give up if there appears to be a good reason for doing so, and where a greater good may come from such submission.

Being open to the advice and wisdom of others is a sign of spiritual maturity and wisdom from God. Proverbs 12:15 tells us "A fool thinks he needs no advice; a wise man listens to others."

Love, Jerry & Dotse