“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke… He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:1,3).
TEXT — Proverbs 13:1-4
Message
In 2003, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia was set to return to Earth after a successful mission. However, during takeoff, a piece of insulation foam had struck the shuttle’s left wing, possibly causing critical damage. Some engineers raised concerns, warning that the damage could be catastrophic. But their warnings were dismissed by superiors who believed it was not serious. Instead of listening carefully and investigating further, NASA officials assured everyone that the shuttle was in good condition. No corrective action was taken. Tragically, as Columbia reentered earth’s atmosphere, the damage caused the spacecraft to break apart, leading to the deaths of all seven astronauts on board. Three failures caused this disaster: refusing to listen to wise counsel, rejecting correction, and speaking without careful thought.
The passage today presents four key principles of acceptable wisdom. First, it shows that a wise son listens to instruction, but a mocker rejects correction. This means those who embrace wisdom grow, but those who refuse advice invite trouble into their lives. Second, wise words bring good fruits, while those who use their mouths unguardedly cause violence. Third, those who watch their speech preserve life, but reckless talk leads to destruction. Finally, diligence leads to abundance, but laziness results in a lack.
Today’s world is noisy, where many talk more than they listen. Although the Holy Bible enjoins believers to be swift to hear and slow to speak, many neither listen to divine instructions nor bridle their tongues. Non-adherence to corrections, wise counsel, instructions and diligence has caused serious problems in many families, careers and ministries.
Believers must be ready to listen and hear from God. They must also think deeply before speaking, knowing their words have power and wise speech leads to blessings. The Bible is the source of true wisdom and proper counsel. Godly leaders and parents are givers of good counsel and guidance from whom believers are to seek wisdom. Another piece of counsel that every believer should heed is avoid laziness and embrace hard work. Laziness is uncharacteristic of heaven-bound believers. We are to occupy till Christ comes and do our physical and spiritual duties with utmost sincerity and diligence, knowing that our heavenly Father will reward us in time and in eternity.
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Thought for the day
Grace seasons the ears and speech of the true Christian with salt.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
