Careful Now

(Pro 26:12 KJV)  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

I have just returned from a family gathering and today I will join a different group for sharing and discussion.  One of the great difficulties I find in life is knowing when I am full of hot air and when I am waxing eloquent.  I would say “at this time of life” except I think it has been a problem since I learned to talk.  How do we avoid being verbal fools?  At the core is how we can deal with our mental foolishness.

Certain things should be obvious.  We should be rooting our opinions in the word of God.  That sounds really good until you get with someone who disagrees with you on interpretation and has different favorite scriptures.  It isn’t simply that they use the NIV as a source but that they come down on the other side of the county, not just the fence.

Serious introspection is called for.  Honest listening is needed.  Often we need to change but don’t do it too fast.  Haste makes waste in spiritual decisions as well as financial choices.  

So?  Start with an assumption that you may be wrong.  Accept the fact that you may be right.  Spend the time necessary to listen to the Holy Spirit as well as the verbal barbarian who is trying to straighten you out.