By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew
In the last few years, the emergence of experts on social media is staggering. There are so many self-proclaimed gurus who have not mastered their subject matter very well in their personal lives but are committed to sharing with others how they should.
It’s one thing to teach people from what you have done or from your mistakes, it’sanother thing to tell people to follow a path that you have not been successful in completing. For instance, I will never tell anyone how to become a carpenter.
I’ve lived in houses and even seen them built but I have never done it. It doesn’t mean I can’t learn to do it, but you probably wouldn’t trust me in building your home and you shouldn’t. The Bible reminds us “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit ; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit.
For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:43–45 (KJV)).
I don’t think we pay attention to the lives of the people we are listening to. We are more concerned with the façade they create and if they portray the appearance of success instead of living what they share with others.
It’s not to seek perfection because no one is perfect, but it is to be aware of those whose wisdom we value. We are listening to what comes out of people’s mouths instead of being aware of their heart, their intention, and their motivation.
As people of faith, it’s interesting that we are listening to people more than we are seeking God’s word on how we should live. We are more compelled to listen to those who say what confirms what we want to hear than listen to what is good, loving, and kind.
“For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction but having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold.” (2 Timothy 4:3 AMPC)
Just as we must fill our cars with gas to drive or food to eat, many of us are filling up on a diet of spiritual junk food. It feels good, it sounds good, but it has no use at all. If anything, it is adding a deficit to our lives and weighing us down.
Wise counsel is important. Who are you watching, listening to, and allowing to speak into your life? There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is defined as “of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.”
Knowledge is “facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.” Knowledge can be gained through learning and education, but wisdom is gathered from one’s lived, day to day experience.
Being aware of the difference can change your life. The Bible encourages us to have wise counsel and not a knowledgeable counsel.
Want a blessed life—one that produces powerful relationships and an impactful life?
Here is the answer: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers….”
Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the President and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC. She is the author of the four books including, Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy and the host of the Tapestry podcast. Visit drfroswabooker.com for more information.
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