Wise vs. Foolish

Storms are a normal part of life. James 1:2 describes it that way when he says, “To consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” The trials of life are nothing unusual. They are a normal part of living but the material upon which you lay your foundation will determine the strength of the structure that is built upon it which will be tested by the storms or trials in life.

Let us look at one of the many examples Jesus gave to communicate the importance of where and how we choose to lay our foundation. In Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) He says, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Jesus told us very plainly the outcome of those who decided to follow His instructions and not compromise, that they will prevail despite the storms of life that they encounter. He likened it to building a house on a rock that will not collapse because its foundation was based on the commitment to obey the word of God.

For those who choose to be careless and live a compromising lifestyle, deciding to not follow through on the word of God - where and how they build. The result was a house built on sand that is unstable and deceptive.  It will never withstand the troubling circumstances that come against it.  It will fall.

Here is nugget - James says in James 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Did you get that last part?