Dr. Dan Reed was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1951. He was saved at the Woodland Avenue Baptist Church in 1973 while studying engineering at Auburn University. Sensing the call to preach in 1973 he enrolled at Tennessee Temple College under the ministry of Dr. Lee Roberson. Finishing his B.A. in December of 1975 he was called to Emden, Missouri , a town of 61, to pastor the Community Baptist Church. Pastor Reed has started two churches and two Christian schools during his 33-year ministry. He is currently the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church of Acworth, Georgia. (Learn more about Dr. Reed HERE)
Evidence Of Wisdom; A Teachable Spirit!
(Proverbs 10:8) “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” (KJV)
One of the best evidences of wisdom is a teachable spirit. The truly wise man or woman not only desires instruction, but also commandments. He desires to be told what to do for “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” (Psalm 111:10) David prayed, “Order my steps in Thy Word.” (Psalm 119:133)
The truly wise man knows that his life is being ordered either in the right way or the wrong way, so He beseeches the Lord to give him “His commandments.” But the “prating fool” or the “babbling fool” will fall to the ways of the world. He is all talk, all curiosity, but he has no true desire for obedience. Charles Bridges said, “We find him (the prating fool) a man of creeds and doctrines, not of prayers, asking strange questions, rather than listening to plain truths; wanting to know events rather than duties; occupied with other men’s business, while neglecting his own. In this wandering spirit, with all his thoughts outward bound, he wanders from church to church, and from house to house, a babbling fool upon religion; bold in his own conceit, while his life and his temper fearfully contradict his fluent tongue. Too blind to respect himself, too proud to listen to counsel, he will surely be thrown down into disgrace, beaten with the rod of his own foolishness.”
Added Commentary:
If one is to grow in wisdom, then he or she must have a teachable spirit. Sometimes the person(s) who seem to have the most growth potential hinder themselves by not learning to keep their mouths closed! It is also noteworthy that many in “Authority” exercise precious little wisdom at times. Consider what one man stated…
Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish. – A Bradstreet
