The Home Page Network

Luke 6
39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

Not enough time is spent in evaluating those to whom we will listen and who we will follow. Most of us fall under the charms of leaders simply because they are there at some appropriate time, they are captivating or because a friend follows them. What is the measure of those whom we follow?

The first measure is fruit. Is the fruit of their lives consistent with their words? Do they demonstrate they are trustworthy examples? Are their relationships wholesome? Do they demonstrate humility? Are their views consistent with the words of Christ? These are noted in the Bible:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24) ESV

The second measure is the wisdom of God. When they speak and act is their attitude a Godly one? The wisdom from above is explained in the Bible:

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18 (ESV)

Do they reverence and hold God in awe?

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

The ultimate measure is Christ. Do they revere Christ? Do they demonstrate Christ as we have noted? Do they believe Jesus came from heaven, was crucified and rose from the dead? If so they have a connection with the fountainhead of wisdom and knowledge of a life worth living.

2 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I Corinthians 2 (ESV)
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2 (ESV)