Listen to Your Teachers

Many Faces of Wisdom Faith and Wisdom in James Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Taming the Tongue Proverbs 5:1-14 The Message Nothing but Sin and Bones 5 1-2 Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom;     listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense;     what I tell you will keep you out of trouble. 3-6 The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet,     her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won’t be long before she’s gravel in your mouth,     a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She’s dancing down the primrose path to Death;     she’s headed straight for Hell and taking you with her. She hasn’t a clue about Real Life,     about who she is or where she’s going. 7-14 So, my friend, listen closely;     don’t treat my words casually. Keep your distance from such a woman;     absolutely stay out of her neighborhood. You don’t want to squander your wonderful life,     to waste your precious life among the hardhearted. Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you?     Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you? You don’t want to end your life full of regrets,     nothing but sin and bones, Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me?     Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn’t I listen to my mentors,     or take my teachers seriously? My life is ruined!     I haven’t one blessed thing to show for my life!” For Reflection So who is this seductive woman? Wisdom's evil twin? Oh sure, it is a warning about the lust of the flesh, all right. But, the contrast between the teacher of the truth and the teacher who seduces one into accepting a masquerade of truth is inescapable. The masquerader imitates the truth-teller, clothes his lies in an impression of truth. But the impersonator sows seeds of idolatry. He seduces one into accepting money, power, attention, accumulation of material things, and a false sense of success and happiness. The imposter encourages one to put one's needs first. Life becomes the burlesque parody of the joyful, peaceful life that we are created to live. Following such teaching ultimately results in one's dissatisfaction, regret, and sorrow. A teacher of the truth encourages a rejection of selfish desires. The unpretentious teacher encourages placing another's needs above one's own. The righteous mentor teaches one to give rather than to get, and in the giving achieve joy and freedom from a wearisome existence. Pray Pray and listen to noble teachers. Opt for the life of Grace and the wisdom of selflessness. Forward to a friend