Scripture: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” – (19:27)
Observation: Solomon is warning his son to exercise discretion when determining whose instruction or advice to accept. Making an unwise choice in whose words to trust can have disastrous results.
Application: “Consider the source” is one way to condense Solomon’s advice to his son, and one that we should heed as well. In today’s world, everyone is quick to take the words of famous athletes, celebrities, university professors, and even pastors, as gospel (forgive the pun!). It is vital that we never blindly accept someone’s words as truth without examining them for accuracy.
How do we do that? We have only one source of absolute truth in this world, and that is the Bible. It is the Word of God, and is our standard for truth. If anyone gives instruction, advice, or directives that cannot be supported by the Scriptures, it is time to stop and “consider the source”!
Even me! You should always take the words you read in my blogs and compare them to God’s Word. If there is a discrepancy, believe the Bible, not me!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so easy to slip my own opinions into what I say or write, but please keep me in total agreement with Your Word. Help me, Lord, to always diligently search the Scriptures for Your truth as I seek to learn more about You. Give me discretion and wisdom to be able to recognize Your truth above the truth of the world. May I never cause anyone to stumble or sin because of what I have said or written. Help me to listen to Your Spirit as You lead me in everything I endeavor to do. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
(from “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus ” by Louisa M.R. Stead)
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“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” – Proverbs 30:5