How To Be Wise (Part 17)

I'll get to the Proverb in a minute, but I have to share this with you first. The last couple of weeks I've been reading Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill. I can't say that I've enjoyed it, but I can say that I've been convicted deep in my soul. It was written in 1959, however, it is as relevant today as it was then. The entire book is centered around prayer and the desire to see souls saved. Ravenhill states one of the reasons revival tarries is because we lack urgency in prayer. "We have not yet resisted unto blood in prayer; nay, we 'do not even get a sweat on our souls,' as Luther put it. We pray with a 'take-it-or-leave-it' attitude; we pray chance prayers; we offer that which costs us nothing! We have not even 'strong desire.' The only power that God yields to is that of prayer. We will write about prayer-power, but not fight while in prayer. A title, undeniably true of the Church today, would be 'We Wrestle Not!'" He goes on to ask, "Who will storm hell's stronghold?...Who will deny himself...that hell may gaze upon him wrestling, embarrassing demons, liberating captives, depopulating hell, and leaving, in answer to his travail, a stream of blood-washed souls?" CONVICTED YET??? That's just a small portion of what I've been dealing with as I read it. If you prefer the status quo or life as usual, don't read this book, but if you are hungry for something more, I encourage you to read this entire book and let it prick your heart to prayer and a freshly broken heart for people dying without God.

Okay, so enough of that for now, I may do a set of blogs on each chapter of that book in the future, but for now, on to Proverb 17. What I would like to do with this chapter is quote John Maxwell's comentary on verse 2 from The Maxwell Leadership Bible:

Our influence has less to do with our position or title that it does with the life we live. It's not about position, but production. It is not the education we get, but the empowerment we give, that makes a difference to others.

The key word is credibility. We gain credibility when our life matches our talk and when both add value to others. In the words of Proverbs 17:2, It's better to be a wise slave than a foolish son. Answer the following questions:

1. Consistency: Are you the same person no matter who's with you?


2. Choices: Do you make decisions based on how they benefit you or others?


3. Credit: Are you quick to recognize others for their efforts when you succeed?


4. Character: Do you work harder at your image or your integrity?


5. Credibility: Have you recognized that credibility is a victory, not a gift?

We all influence the people we're around every day, whether for the good or for the bad. May you be a positive influence that people may see Jesus through you.