By: Derek D. Ngwu
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.” Why? It’s because you won’t learn anything valuable in that space, pride might settle in. You may think you’re a know-it-all in a room that doesn’t challenge your thinking. The mind begins to grow dull where sharpness is absent. Iron isn’t sharpened by wool but by iron. Here are 5 sharp reasons to continuously seek and listen to correction.
Reason 1: The wise love correction.
The wise wants to become wiser not more foolish so it’s imperative for them to seek and gain more understanding. This happens when you receive correction. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. Or in Proverbs 3, My son if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you, only then will we understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. We’re promised wisdom if we listen to God. Wisdom is more precious than rubies. Not worldly wisdom but wisdom revealed by The Lord of Lords. God knows He’s perfect and that we’re not. It’s okay to be wrong; it’s unforgiveable to stay wrong. Mistakes can be accidental but choices are purposeful. As kids, we gain understanding and wisdom on not touching the hot stove after we burn ourselves. We learn where our hands ought to be. The wise move away from the fire, the foolish go towards it. And some of us have our hands in areas where they’ll get charred. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice: shame on me. In Proverbs 1:3, we see the third purpose of the Book of Proverbs which is to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity.
Reason 2: Listening to the wise saves us from folly experiences
The Book of Proverbs has a very parental sound, after all, Solomon was a father himself. We should listen to God as we listen to our mother and father. Every parent who instructs their child was once a child themselves. God is our heavenly father, and just like every parent, He wouldn’t want His kids to go astray. He wants us to win.
Reason 3: It’s what God wants
God, Our Savior wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth – 1 Tim 2:3-4. Jesus Christ came to save sinners and the Knowledge of this is critical. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction. God doesn’t desire us to be saved; the desire has to come from us. All-important to why we should listen to Our Savior. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path of life but he who rejects reprimand lead others astray. The path of life is Jesus, He is the way, the truth and the life. When we don’t follow God, we won’t grasp the best, He has for us. a decision based on ourselves not with The King of Kings. It’s important to understand because man’s eyes and ears can be easily deceived by the world. It may seem right to obey yourself above God but ultimately it will leave us empty and not fulfilled.
Reason 4: You have the power to encourage foolishness or wisdom onto others.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end leads to death. Eve listened to the serpent and got kicked out of Eden. Not herself alone but Adam as well. Listening to God not only affects you but those in your circle. How sharp is your circle? Receiving correction can also mean redefining your relationships. Do you have a wise counsel, is your thinking being sharpened by other minds of iron? The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Where there is no guidance, the people fall. But in an abundance of counselors there is victory.
Reason 5: Discipline drives the folly away from one’s heart
One of my spiritual advisors, scolded me on my flaky behavior. She commented on my lousy concept of time. She said that both God and Satan know your destination. The difference is God knows how you will reach it through His direction; Satan wants you not reach by your distractions. In addition, a person who practices unpunctuality isn’t a man of their word. God is a man of his word so we as Christians should emulate that. I humbled myself and received her instruction through listening and learning, I gained understanding in that area of life and in turn, I can take her knowledge and shower it upon someone else in need. They say water given is also water received, make sure you are watering others with wisdom. He, who ignores discipline, despises himself but whoever heeds to correction, gains understanding.
Reason 6: Sharpening strengthens character
Smithing takes time. If you want to be sharp, expect to have your patience tested through the process. Things can be going according to plan but setbacks can still happen. Ask any craftsman, not just smiths, and they will tell you that good work shouldn’t be rushed neither can our spiritual growth. The sharpening process is not pretty and that’s because change isn’t easy. Letting go of who you are in order to become what God wants you to be may come with personal anguish. Sharpening means making adjustments which are sometimes painful. However, being sharpened by the Lord is worth it. “The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword” – Hebrews 4:12. Sharpness has value but being able to sharpen others is a true blessing. Whether your blade is a knife or a sword, a fine edge makes a difference. The sharp never stop sharpening their blades. Edges get dull, that’s when the enemy waits to strike. We cannot afford to miss this. The minute we stop seeking to grow in our faith, we begin to lose our effectiveness at helping others improve theirs. If you want to stay sharp, never stop seeking your personal growth.
Wisdom helps us work smarter, not harder. It helps us handle difficult situations and relationships. It’s vital that God has our ear and we’re surrounded by others who listen and apply His word. Think about the areas in your life you would like to improve. Where are you dull? is it a particular sin? or understanding the Bible more? Ask the Lord Our God to establish your footsteps. Those who follow God’s wisdom are revealed in their lifestyle. Proverbs 10 says a wise person walks in righteousness. Wisdom from God should highlight not just who you are but who you are in Christ. A truly wise person does what God’s Word says. Don’t be a fool!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear and a mouth to speak. I pray that we only hear and preach the truth. Let us have a desire to seek you out for you are the way, the truth and the life. Holy Spirit establish our footsteps, correct our movements. I pray we use your word as guidance. Lord, God, your ways are our ways and we give up the hardened parts of our heart to you, God, soften them and please bend our stiff neck. May we gain understanding and knowledge in the areas that are needed. So we can spread the light onto others. We ask this in your heavenly name. Amen.
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