By contributing writer Melinda Douglass
Have you ever been too prideful to ask for help or seek instruction from someone you knew had the answer? If you read this and thought that is me, then you are not alone. We often avoid the “words of the wise” because we think we know what is best. We think that we know and know-how, and because of our pride, it often leads us to destruction or that place of “I told you so.”
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and those who are arrogant fools despise wisdom and instruction. To fear the Lord means to reverence or honor him, holding him in high regard. Now take a moment to consider the people you honor or keep in high regard. If they were to give you instruction, would you listen? Most of our answers are probably yes! The same should be with God and those he has placed over us (like our parents, pastors, and godly mentors).
Just like in the Bible, God has given each of us people in our lives who will lead and guide us. Although in the flesh we may feel we know more than them or that what we are going through they haven’t experienced, in the Spirit, if God has placed them over us, it means he has appointed them and given them the wisdom to provide us with sound doctrine.
Therefore if we fear the Lord, we will follow their instruction; instruction will lead to knowledge, and the application of knowledge is wisdom.