The Plumbline

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish plotting. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. (James 3:13-16) There aren't too many of us who want to be counted among the foolish. We all likely want someone to take notice of us for our wise choices, not the foolish ones..Building a reputation for wisdom isn't always easy, though. People spend a great deal of time critiquing our actions, don't they? Live well, making good decisions and you get praise, but it may not last long. Make unwise choices and your reputation is marred for a lot l...

Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.  So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.  Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. (Proverbs 9:7-9 NLT) If you have ever tried to correct someone who is so deadset in believing their opinion was right, even though it is clearly not correct, you likely walked away frustrated and a bit confused. You might have wondered how they could not see the truth when it was right their before their eyes. Well, do you see images with your eyes closed? Maybe you can picture remembered images, but you aren't seeing what is right in front of you! People who refuse to listen to truth have "remembered" the lies and refuse to embrace truth because they have closed hearts. The wise were willing to open both their eyes and their heart. An open heart made all the diffe...