Advice and Humility

Today I had a conversation with a good friend of mine and we talked about what comes out of our mouth, and more specifically when giving advice. One of my favorite questions has always been "What do you think I should..." you can fill in the ending with "do, feel about, watch, eat, say, do about..." the list on and on. Pridefully I loved this question because I got to tell the person what I think, and feel special about how great it is to give people nuggets of my "wisdom" (which usually sucks).

As a believer who by God's grace really loves his brothers and sisters I sometimes dread this question because I so desperately want to give just the right response, the one that will be life changing. As I've grappled with God about this, the response He's given me is kind of a "DUH" response but being as unwise as I am of course it's taken me a long time to get this.

God says" All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Tim 3:16

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

So clear in scripture that all our advice should come from scripture. The Bible is useful for teaching others, rebuking sinning brothers and sisters, correction, and training for all to become more like Jesus. Who am I to give my two cents?

A cool tidbit God has shown me lately is that when we love others through His word, it is an act of humility. The Word says that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. I want to live by grace.

God's Word helps a college dude who lacks wisdom live out Proverbs 10:19-

When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.

When we as believers give our "wisdom" it esteems us, when God's word is used and true wisdom is given, our brothers and sisters are blessed and God gets the glory.

Joy

Psalm 51:11-13

Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.

First post in October, fall is awesome. I road biked across campus this morning and had a gust of leaves blow across my face, it was awesome. The beauty around during the fall is captivating, and it excites my heart to the reality of how even more wondrous heaven will be.

Now that I've described nature, let me expound on why I titled this post Joy. I came to know Christ three years ago around this time. Knowing the true God of the universe and getting to serve Him has filled me with inexplicable joy. I've sat on the spiritual mountaintop for the better part of the last three years, until recently when I've felt at a spiritual low.

Satan has attacked me a lot this semester, telling me in his usual 2nd person tone of how YOU aren't being used by God, YOU could be doing so much more but wait... YOU are selfish, worthless, in sin, aren't as good as person X, Y, or Z, so just give up.

See Satan is the father of lies, and he is pretty good at it. I'll admit my zeal has been shot, and there are days when it is hard to desire to live for God...

but the truth is, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

The truth is that three years ago, since knowing Christ I am a new creation. That newness does not wane with time, nor does the Spirit that dwells in every person that calls Jesus Lord.

Taking time to step back from myself and take a good look at the Word I see even more truths.

Paul says in Ephesians 2:10- That we are God's workmanship created for good works that He has laid out for us.

Wow... take a moment to think about that. The God of the universe calls you His workmanship! The word workmanship implies that you were crafted, not just crafted but carefully crafted, treasured, special, and not only that but God has predestined good works for us to do for His glory.

1 John 4:9 says that- This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

My prayer during this season as I beg God to make me effective for Him is this "God help me die so you can live in me."

What an amazing undeserving blessing, me child of weakness, watch and pray, found in Jesus my all in all.