Not Everything I Hear Is True

In review this morning of Proverbs 14:15 I read that, “The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.” (The Message)

Only a fool believes everything they’re told! While someone who is wise and prudent will carefully consider their steps and think about what they do.

When I spend time on my phone or watching TV, I’m going to get a lot of information from a lot of different sources. So it’s important, now more than ever, to remember that not everything I hear is true.

Proverbs 14:15 says, "The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word" (The Message).

Not everybody who speaks on the Internet, social media, TV, or radio knows what they're talking about. Not everybody who's talking about the coronavirus crisis is worth listening to. I need to be selective!

Many people take advantage of a crisis and will have their own agenda. There will be some who try to use these uncertain days for their own political or financial advantage. They will start price gouging and using fear tactics and conspiracy theories to scare people into making rash decisions. Don’t fall for it!

The Bible says in Proverbs 14:8, "The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts" (TLB).

The Bible repeatedly says that, especially in a crisis, I should always base my decisions and actions on the facts, not faulty statistics, fads, fear, or feelings.

God has given me everything I need to be wise and prudent in a crisis. I can test everything against his Word and have the confidence that it will always steer me in the way of wisdom. As a follower of Jesus, I have the Holy Spirit to give me discernment. And, I’ve got good sense! It is a gift from God, and now is an important time to use my reason and caution.

As disciples of Jesus, I should not just be people of faith. We should be people of facts.

"Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get" (Proverbs 23:23 TLB).

In summary, only a fool believes everything they are told. Someone who is wise and prudent will carefully consider their steps and think about what they do. I'll get a lot of information from a lot of different sources. Not everything I hear is true, and not everybody is worth listening to. I need to be selective. I should always base my decisions and actions on the facts, not faulty statistics, fads, fear, or feelings. God has equipped me with everything I need to be wise and prudent in a crisis. I can test everything against his Word and have the confidence that it will always steer me in the way of wisdom. I have the Holy Spirit to give me discernment. I've got good sense. So, get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense I can get. 

Father I do pray this morning for the discernment that the Holy Spirit can give me. Help me to use my good sense and seek out facts before making a decision. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work tasks, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.

Wisdom Means Looking Ahead and Facing Reality

In review of Proverbs 14:8 it says, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts”

Bottom Line:

A wise person looks ahead and faces reality, but fools only deceive themselves, thinking they know ignoring reality..

What this means to me:

A wise person looks ahead and understands where they are going, they know what to do. A fool only attempts to fool themselves, they get lost in their own deception, never facing the facts, only thinking they know.

A lot of people start out well, but end up progressing poorly because they don’t plan for the pitfalls. Today’s verse reminds me that a wise man will look ahead and face reality.

As I make plans for the future, I will face pitfalls. There will be cultural distractions, voices of doubt, tempting shortcuts, and discouraging delays. As an example, consider Noah: He had pitfalls after God told him to build the ark, but he overcame them and I can, too.

Fortunately God doesn’t give me something as difficult as building an ark, however he has something in mind for me.

Today’s verse says, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (Proverbs 14:8 TLB). By looking ahead, I’ll not only be prepared to spot the pitfalls when they come; but I’ll also be equipped to make plans that help me become the man God wants me to be.

I should continue to ask God for his help in establishing my goals for the next decade of life. I’ll then be ready to move forward and learn how to handle the pitfalls that could potentially keep me from getting where God wants me to go.

As I think about the last decade, I can see where God has assisted me when I couldn’t help myself (serious infection, surgeries a few years ago), He has used my choices to reveal things about myself and my walk (Rom. 8:28, “In all things God works for the good..”). A consistent thing I find is that as I follow and stay obedient to him, he blesses me and my decisions. I’ve also noticed that when problems come, he is able to guide and help me cope with, or teaching me how to appropriately deal with them.  Given this I know that I can count on God to help me set future goals that will accomplish that which is important to him.

It's time for me to consider how my future goals are reflecting the power of God in my life. I can dream even bigger than what I can accomplish alone, because I serve a big God.