“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock…. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” Matthew 7:24, 26 (NASB)
Matthew 7 has these words in the Sermon on the Mount – Jesus' first recorded public sermon. Jesus is concluding by telling those listening what the consequence of their behavior will be. There is a difference between those who believe in Jesus and follow His teachings; and those who say they believe but do not follow Him. The illustration in Matthew 7:24-27 compares a wise and foolish man. If wise, we will be certain our belief has a solid foundation in truth, in God’s Word. If so, our faith will withstand the onslaught of the world’s storms from the enemy of our souls. The unwise and self-centered have as a foundation for their belief based own their own reasoning which is weak and not sturdy. When challenged by false teachings, lies, and temptations from Satan, what a foolish man builds his beliefs on will be destroyed and washed away. The wise trust the rock-solid foundation of God’s truth. It will not fall when attacked. We don’t build on shifting thoughts and ideas which seek to please only ourselves. Such will be a great fall because those who believe the enemy’s words will not know it is coming.
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