We all know people who are never wrong, or at least that is what they will tell you. They always point the finger of blame at someone else. They never say they are sorry, or at least never really mean it, or say it without a “but” attached. It is hard to live with someone like that. We have a modern name for this kind of person. We call them Narcissists.
But one of the worst problems is when someone like that gets into a powerful leadership position, whether it be in a small organization or in a powerful country, that entity is in trouble. That is because one of the needed attributes of a good leader is the ability to be corrected, to receive input, even negative input from other people.
Our text today begins with what anyone who has tried to give negative feedback to someone like this has found. They will not receive correction. They will mock you and insult you. They never answer the question or complaint. They turn it around and talk about an imagined or invented question or argument.
I hate to say it, but we see this alot in politics these days. One party demonizing the other, saying they want to enslave women and send us back to the 1950’s. They invent statements and positions about their opponents that the opponent doesn’t even believe, and they the attack that invented position as if it were real.
You can never correct such a person or organization. They will not listen to reason. They have believed their own lies about you and have begun to hate you.
But by a great contrast you can rebuke a wise person. They are open to course correction and change. And when they receive that correction, they are better for it. Their lives are ones of taking the input of others. That doesn’t mean they take everyone’s input equally, but they have the ability to hear the wisdom even in a fools speech.
The wise person takes input from the LORD as well. They recognize that they don’t have a corner on the wisdom market and are willing to, or should I say eager to find more wisdom and apply it.
The familiar word “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” carry a powerful punch. When we place the LORD in His proper place in our life, at the center of our worldview, then the rest has the ability to fall into place. He is in charge. He has the right to make the rules and enforce them. Getting this right begins our journey of wisdom. Reward is on its way.
The Arnold Journey 