Monday, August 8, 2016

Do You Put Up With Fools?



And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. I'm ashamed to say that we've been too "weak" to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 2 Corinthians 11:18-21



Paul was writing to the church at Corinth. He goes on to talk about boasting…about his suffering for the Lord…and then on into the next chapter with more boasting, although he says it is not profitable, about visions, revelations of the Lord, and a thorn in his flesh. Very interesting reading—about Paradise and about weakness. But I’ll let you read that for yourself. Back to Paul and the boasting in these verses. The Corinthians think they are so wise. Do you ever think that you are wise? I may think I’m wise about worldly stuff like food, health, or maybe children’s behavior—though they are too unpredictable to have any real wisdom about that. God’s wisdom is pure…But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17. Maybe Paul thought the Corinthians were wise because, in this passage, they were willing to yield to others…putting up being enslaved. I certainly strive to be peace loving and through the grace of God have attained a greater level of gentleness than I had at an earlier time in my life. Does that make me wise? Certainly it is God’s wisdom that has guided me…and changed my heart. How do you see God working in your life…giving you His wisdom?



Prayer ~ Lord God, fill us with Your wisdom that we would boast to others about You and what you are doing in our lives. May those around us be blessed as we yield to Your grace…more of You and less of us.



© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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