Proverbs 12:15-16

¹⁵ The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. ¹⁶ Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Stranger

         Someone called and introduced himself; I don’t know him. He is a stranger.

It has become ordinary incidence that we can receive calls from strangers. Anytime during the day, door-to-door sales agents come knocking at the door to promote their product. How do you entertain calls from strangers or door-to-door sales agents? How do you respond to call centers or door-to-door sales agents?

         You may have turned them down multiple times, but why do they persist on knocking door-to-door or calling potential buyers or costumers? What could have motivated them? Possibly, if they can sell product, they have commissions. Or, they just enjoy talking to strangers, no matter what the result could be.

         When we share the gospel to strangers, their attitude could be similar to our attitude toward call centers or door-to-door sales agents. There will be people who will disregard the gospel, but watch for enthusiasm about the gospel; they could be potential believers. We should prayerfully rely upon the Holy Spirit for persistence and inspiration even when only few listeners may respond positively.

         Together, let us seriously reflect on what Christ said in John 16:13-15:

¹³When the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

         The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit of Christ. He guides us and inspires us to share the gospel. Christ mandated us to witness for him and make disciples. So, how do you prove that you believe Christ had prepared potential believers for us to witness to and potential disciples who may eagerly learn about the Lord?

         To accomplish what the Lord commanded us to do we should always seek his empowerment. Have you hesitated of sharing the gospel of Christ? Hesitation signals us to pause for a moment and seek inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God.

         Together, let’s reflect on what Christ invites in Matthew 11:28-30, ²⁸Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

         Our mandate to make disciple could cause weariness and not to include personal problem or family burden. So, Christ invites us to find rest in him. How do we find rest in Christ when making disciple seems like heavy burden?

1.  Seem

¹⁵ The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

The foolish won’t ask for advice, why? Fools think their way seems right. Does it imply that we should not trust our own ideas? We can still use our own idea but we should not be quick to decide. We should reflect upon and consider possible results. It’s not ignorance to ask others. He who listens to advice is wise.

Celebrities

Over confident celebrities: (Politicians, movie actors, professional athletes, media personalities, even pastors) are quick to say things that may offend others. And when viewers condemn and criticize them, they apologize and say, “Sorry, for what I said earlier, it does not represent me or what I believe as a person.” It is assumed that maybe, they’re advised to apologize and accept their mistakes.

         Famous celebrity or ordinary person, when emotionally absorbed, there are tendencies at the spur of a moment to say things that had not been pondered upon. Emotion influences decisions. Fraudsters take advantage of emotionally unstable victims for possible scam. How can we be wise as believers of God?

         Together, let us try to reflect on what Christ teaches in Matthew 7:24-27:

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

         The rain came down and the winds blew against the house on the rock and the house on sand. Everyone, both non-Christians and Christians, faces problems common to mankind. But if we diligently practice what we hear from Christ, we won’t easily fall or give up, even when winds of problems blow against us.

         What do you think? Certainly, there are situations we cannot understand: how or why they happen. There are times we make decisions that others may assume as mistakes. So, when someone bluntly points out our mistakes, do you think they care for us? Is it foolish to show annoyance when we’re rebuked?

2.  Show

¹⁶ Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

         The term “at once” is interpreted as immediate or no delay. Fools show their annoyance without delay. If annoyance is hidden or delayed for a while, will it prevent foolish reactions? Annoyance is foolish reaction, delayed or at once.

Annoyance at once or delayed is not pondered upon reaction to insult. The wise overlook, ignore and not controlled by insult. It warns us in James 1:19-20,

    ¹⁹Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

         Surely, we are free to say whatever we want to say. We have freedom of speech but we should be sensitive and concerned of the righteousness that God desires. We practice our right of freedom of speech but we also have to react wisely when insulted. We have obligation to testify of how Christ transformed us.

Social Media

         Social Media is useful to appreciate updates of what others may do in their life. Activities or what they enjoy in life are published. Social Media users publish their annoyance online. What do you normally publish on Social Media account?

Trivia: What is the term used to describe when frog make noise? Croaking!

         Many individuals are quick to insult when a singer is out of tune or has a harsh or hoarse voice. In the Philippines, harsh or hoarse voice is compared to croaking frog or like voice of frog and that it will cause raindrops or rainfalls.

The weather is so hot this time in the Philippines, and mockers publish on Social Media, “Where are those singers with croaking frog voices? Where are those singers with voice of frog, now? Start singing now! We need rain!”

But those victims of such mockery humorously responded as if it is their timely chance for revenge. They responded in agreement that their croaking voice could control the rain; they also publish. “You suffer! I’ll never sing again!”

Do you find it humorously funny? Did it give you carefree light moment to hear humorous story once in a while? What does the Scripture say about humor?

How do you personally interpret what it says in Ephesians 4:29-32? ²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Plain stupidity influences foolish people to entertain and not ignore insults or things that are not useful to spiritual life. Anyone may show annoyance to insult out of anger. Anger and stupidity are expression of human sinful nature.

We always need to be prayerful, empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit. He inspires us listen to advice and ignore insults; he empowers us to discern which response is beneficial; he leads us to decide on helpful things for maturity.

God wants us to live in righteousness as proof of his transformational work in our life. Only by his grace we can accomplish things acceptable to the Lord.

         May God bless us to be attentive to his timely advice always!

><((‘> .. ><((‘> … ><(((“> tmec\2024 <“)))>< … <‘))>< .. <‘))><