EDIFY…BUILD OTHERS WITH WISDOM!
It is imperative that we infuse wisdom into any
attempt to spiritually assist or counsel others. Richard Dunigan relates a cautionary tale regarding
our exercise of good intentions without knowledge. His children won four goldfish at the school
carnival, so he set off Saturday morning to find an aquarium. The first few he spotted ranged in price from
$40 to $70. Too expensive. But then he found a discarded 10-gallon
display tank, complete with gravel and filter, on sale for a mere five bucks. Sold! Of course, the tank was quite filthy, but the
savings made the one-hour clean-up well worth it.
Those four fish were a welcome family addition and
they looked great in their new home, at least for the first day. But by Sunday one had died. Too bad, the father mused, but three remained.
Monday morning revealed a second
casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up. Then Dad called in an expert, a member of their
church who owned a 30-gallon fish tank. He
quickly discovered the problem. They had
cleaned the tank with soap, which is an absolute no-no. Well-intentioned but uninformed effort had
destroyed the very lives they wanted to protect and enjoy.
Lesson learned.
In our zeal to clean up the lives of others, we sometimes mistakenly use
the ‘killer soaps’ of condemnation, criticism, impatience, or irritability. Our hearts might be in the right place, so we assume
that we’re actually doing the Lord’s work, but any uncompassionate, self-righteous,
or careless words might be more than others can bear.
My friend, before opening mouth, always engage brain. Even more importantly, tune in prayerfully to
the wisdom, compassion and moderation that are the very heart and hope of God’s
Word.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and
please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
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