NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 12-14
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 2:1-2, 5 (NIV); My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within
you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding... then you will
understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
The intimacy that we can have with God through Jesus Christ must be preceded by the fear
of the Lord. Before we can get to know God’s character deeply, we need to understand His
holiness and cultivate a heart of reverence towards Him. But before we can develop a fear of
the Lord, we need wisdom.
Wisdom comes through listening and learning, tuning our ears to the wisdom of godly people.
Godly council is a PILLAR of confirmation. And notice the word “godly”. We’re not just looking
for any Joe Blow to come along and say, “Hey that sounds great!” We’re looking for people
who we can trust to tell us the truth, even if it is not exactly what we want to hear. We’ve all
heard other people share an idea that sounded a little wonky and thought, “What in the world
is this person thinking?” Yet when the tables are turned and we’re the wonky one, we are
totally blind to our wonkiness! Our personalities and biases are bound to get in the way, and
if what we are hearing is received with disagreement and warning from those around us, we
should step back to think and pray through things again.
The Holy Spirit is not out to play tricks on us. He wants to guide us into all truth, and he
actually loves to bring alignment to the things we are hearing. Make it a habit to listen in prayer
with your spouse, start going to a cell and sharing openly, and find people for accountability.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Are you eager to listen to, and learn from others? Ask God to point out any pride in your life
that is keeping you from tuning your ears to wisdom.
2. Is there anything that you’ve been hearing in listening prayer that you ought to bring before
others for confirmation? Who? Tell them what you sense God is saying and ask them to pray
with you.
3. If you’re married, spend time with your spouse listening in prayer together over different
issues. Otherwise, get together with a friend and do the same. Listen for each other and share.
