Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
James 5:13-16
Scripture Notes
With so much information and newfound knowledge, many of us are eager to ‘help’ others by sharing what we have learned or giving advice. However, advice is easily thrown around and readily accepted without testing its truth. We are not called to accept every piece of advice we hear from people, blogs, news, or even questionnaires. We are to act with discernment (Proverbs 18:15), test the Spirit (1 John 4), and take into account the knowledge and experiences of others (Proverbs 15:31). We are to be curious, ask questions, not take things at face value, and be willing to dig a little deeper. To be counted among the wise is not like punching a ticket. It is a posture, a lifelong discipline at work. It is cultivating the discernment sector of our hearts to recognize truth from falsehood and to move beyond the surface to understand underlying motivations.
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
We all have plans, plans for the future, for the next vacation, renovation, or the next season. The reality is that none of us is in control of the future. We do not know if we have a tomorrow. We are reminded to live in the moment (Psalm 118:24). It is as if the earth is on lease; we are stewards of what we possess, but we do not own anything (Psalm 24:1). Does this mean we sit back and become idle? Heavens, no! We are not to remain stagnant but to find vibrant ways to align our lives with God’s purpose. Each of our purposes is different. This means we cannot come up with a formula, an algorithm, or even cut and paste. Each of us must be in communication and connection with the Lord to recognize our purpose and, therefore, our path (1 Peter 4:10).
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Psalm 33:11
Unfailing love can sometimes be mistaken for accepting anything, even bad or toxic behavior. What we are to understand is that deep down, everyone wants to belong and be loved despite their faults. We are to be honest, genuine, and dedicated to one another. In a culture that consumes people and relationships like material things, we have to push ourselves not to default to superficiality. Where are our honor, loyalty, devotion, and courage among friends? Another way to look at the word ‘unfailing’ is as steadfast (Proverbs 3:3-4). If we are not faithful and committed, we become liars. What we are to understand is that it is better to be poor than to take advantage, sell people out, auction our friendships to the highest bidder, or always be looking to get a win from our relationships. In our culture, which is all about getting out what you can, it is essential for believers to love when love is not deserved, to stay true when they have been betrayed, and to stay even when they want to run away.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.
1 Peter 4:8-10
MEMORY VERse
Attributed to Francisque Millet. Classical Landscape with Two Women and a Man on a Path, c. 1660–c. 1670. The Art Institute of Chicago
Related Verses
More verses about the purpose of the Lord:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- Do you actively seek out advice, or are you waiting around to see if you are correct? Do you have one or two people in your life that you can trust with questions and concerns without getting defensive?
- What is your first reaction when someone gives you criticism or advice? How can you better navigate an ‘advice happy world’ by testing the source, controlling your emotions, and recognizing the truth you need to hear?
- Are you trying to hold on to control of your life, or are you allowing the Lord to be in control? When life doesn’t go as planned, do you see God’s will at work, or are you too focused on what you might see as a failure? How can you realign your life’s purpose with God’s?
- Are you known for actively expressing steadfast love and devotion to the people in your life? Whether the answer is yes or no, what are some ways you can better show loyalty and steadfastness in your relationships?
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