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Jordan Whittington 8/27/26 Jordan Whittington 8/27/26

Correction

Moments ago, Cooper walked into my office to share with me a critique regarding my preaching from a church member.

Pause.

What did you feel?

Frustration? Compassion? Defensiveness? A desire to add some more?

The critique was offered to Cooper in hopes of helping, not harming. It was a minor presentation habit that he/she feared could be a distraction; however, they were hesitant to offer the comment for fear of how it might be received.

A few years ago, that one comment would have consumed my day. I would have questioned whether this person respected me or even liked me. I would have worried about the ramifications of this habit and whether it was the reason so-and-so did not return….

Today, I heard the comment, sought the evidence to help me understand the situation, and made a plan that can easily remedy the problem without causing any adverse effects.

Critiquing is not criticizing. Correction is not condemning. This was not a personal attack; it was a point offered to benefit the church.

How do you handle critiques, criticisms, or corrections?

The book of Proverbs has something to say about this:

Proverbs 10:17

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

We have arrived at a point where any opposing thought can feel like a personal attack. No longer can we be honest with someone in a manner that could help them; instead, we feel as though we must only be positive in order not to hurt feelings. This is a dangerous precedent to set. It is very unwise to allow everyone to operate under the guise of simply doing whatever they think is best.

There is a place in our lives and in the church for reproof, discipline, and advice. Offering thoughts, comments, or suggestions should not automatically be seen as offensive or aggressive. For us to be our best, we need to know not only where we are helpful but also where we are harmful. We need to know what is going well and what is failing. We mustn't hide failures and speak only of successes….

Have you ever been afraid to step on the scale, fearing the number that will be shown?

Why is this a universal experience? Because we don't want the truth. We would prefer to live in ignorance rather than face reality.

Here is the truth: The data is still the data.

Comments, critiques, and opinions need to be shared when they are offered for the building up, not the tearing down, of others. The data is still the data. The problem is still the problem whether or not you speak up. The difference is that the problem can be dealt with once it comes to light.

Wisdom is willing to hear the truth, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

Jordan Whittington 8/26/26 Jordan Whittington 8/26/26

The Value of Wisdom

What is the most valuable thing in the world?

Is it a company? A position? A property? A piece of art?

The most valuable thing in our world is not something you can own, but it is something you can acquire. More valuable than any billion-dollar price tag is the value of wisdom.

We often hear, “Knowledge is power.” Yet, how many of us waste the knowledge that we have? How many of us slept or stared out the window as teachers and professors offered knowledge we needed for an upcoming exam?

Knowledge alone is not power. Applying knowledge is power. Knowledge is merely potential.

This is where wisdom comes in. Knowledge is to wisdom what an acorn is to an oak tree. When I think of wisdom, I think of knowledge applied and acted upon. It is using what I know and what is best to guide my actions.

Yet, how many of us waste opportunities to act wisely?

Listen to these verses from Proverbs 8:

10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.

35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord.

Wisdom is found in living under the leadership and lordship of God. Wisdom is found in following the path Jesus carved out in our world. Wisdom is being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our daily lives.

To live in this way is more valuable than anything a fortune could buy, a position could provide, or a person could promise. Wise living is more valuable than silver, gold, Bitcoin, or oil. Finding and living in wisdom leads to fullness of life and favor from God.

As you toil for earthly treasures, I encourage you to consider how much effort you place into becoming wise. Are you seeking the wisdom of God, or are you simply hoping that the jewels of this world will be enough to satisfy you?

The world will always give you another treasure to chase. Wisdom teaches you which treasures are actually worth having.

Jordan Whittington 8/25/26 Jordan Whittington 8/25/26

Sowing Disunity

Proverbs 6:16–19

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.

Last week, I sat with our Long-Term Stewardship Committee, making decisions about how best to invest and utilize the generosity of a few estate gifts we have received. As we talked about policies, procedures, and projects, I made the statement: We must not allow division over things like carpet colors and wall decor!

Too many churches, this one included, have experienced division over personal preferences—often involving money and power—rather than remaining unified under a gospel purpose. When we allow our preferences to be prioritized over the desires and needs of others, we are missing the point. When we are more concerned with maintaining a building than reaching our community, we are missing the point.

The Lord hates one who sows discord among brothers.

Secret conversations. Backroom meetings. Gossipy group chats. These destroy rather than build up.

Constant complaining, critical spirits, and judgmental or jealous hearts must be fought, not fertilized.

I am not writing this from a place of frustration at all. No names are popping into my head, nor are there groups I am passively calling out. In fact, I often boast about how kind, loving, and selfless our church members are. I write this as a warning because division rarely announces itself before it arrives. It begins with small seeds that are allowed to grow.

Are you sowing discord?

Are you unifying or unraveling?

Are you focused on your way or God’s way?

Disunity is a sickness that the enemy has used countless times to hinder the work of God. Where are you susceptible to this attack? Where do you need to repent of sowing discord? What action should you take to build back what you have broken down?

If discord can be sown, so can unity. Today, choose to plant something different. Encourage rather than criticize. Speak to someone rather than about them. Assume the best of others rather than the worst. Sow the kind of seeds that strengthen the people of God rather than separate them.

Jordan Whittington 8/24/26 Jordan Whittington 8/24/26

False Witness and Breathing Lies

Proverbs 6:16–19

As we come to the sixth thing that the Lord hates, we are met with a familiar concept. On day 2, we discussed a lying tongue, and now on day 6, we hear about a false witness who breathes out lies. If you are confused about the difference, just know that I was too. It took me a few minutes and some research to consider what makes these two “things” different.

A lying tongue is a general statement against falsehood. Lies are easy to state and can happen in the spur of the moment, often to cover what we do not want exposed.

A false witness who breathes out lies brings to mind the judicial setting of testifying falsely against someone. While a lying tongue describes falsehood generally, a false witness specifically uses falsehood against another person. The lie now damages someone else's reputation, standing, or well-being.

We can bear false witness when our words defame character, cause consequences, or lead others to form wrong opinions. I see this most clearly in how we speak of others through gossip, slander, and defamation. While we may not be guilty of bearing false witness in a courtroom, how many times have we soiled someone’s reputation on a couch?

Little comments, often unwarranted, can have detrimental effects. Sadly, these comments happen all too frequently among church people who bad-mouth, overshare, or break confidence about a brother or sister they are called to love. In fact, church people can be some of the meanest, harshest, and most vindictive people.

I am reminded of Ephesians 4:29 as I write today:

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Is this how you speak?

Are those little notes you pass along corrupting or encouraging?

Are those stories you share edifying or inappropriate?

Are those comments you make about another helpful or harmful?

All of us need to watch our speech closely, as the tongue is hard to tame (James 3). We need to be mindful of the times we bless God and curse those made in His image with the same breath.

Before you pass along that story, repeat that rumor, or offer your opinion about someone else, stop and ask: Will these words give grace to those who hear, or will they damage someone who isn't even in the room to defend themselves?

The Lord does not only care whether our words are true. He cares about what our words do to others.

Jordan Whittington 8/21/26 Jordan Whittington 8/21/26

Feet racing to evil!

Proverbs 6:16–19

Out of all of the sins we have looked at this week, this one convicted me the most. Today, we look at how our feet make haste to run to evil.

Why does this convict me? Because it shows how readily I race to do what I should not! The verse does not simply say our feet lead us to evil, but we do so with urgency. Notice the two descriptions—make haste and run. Some of you have not run in years or decades. Even the thought of running causes your knees to ache, but are you running to evil?

We are quick to blame the enemy for tempting us, but sometimes temptation does not have to chase us—we chase it.

I don’t need alluring fruit; I just want a moment of pleasure, of happiness, of peace. I don’t need something fragile to break to get me upset; my mood is fragile enough. I simply need a car that stays still for two seconds at a green light to upset me. I simply need an email I misread to create bitterness and jealousy. I need a glance at a magazine cover to lead me down a rabbit trail of lustful thoughts. I only need to see someone happy to begin to judge or envy.

I race toward evil more often than I want to admit. I am quick to anger and quick to judge. I am fast to be furious and slow to be patient.

Where do your feet naturally run when you are angry, lonely, bored, stressed, jealous, or tired? What sin requires almost no convincing because part of you already wants to go there?

Wisdom means recognizing the roads that lead us toward evil and refusing to take the first step. Don't see how close you can get. Don't linger at the entrance. Turn your feet in another direction.

You cannot run toward wisdom while continuing to sprint toward the things God has told you to flee.