Are You Comfortable?
The words “comfort” and “comfortable” are related. Comfort is the base word. Comfort functions as both a noun, referring to a state of physical ease or emotional consolation, and a verb, meaning to soothe or alleviate someone’s grief or distress.
Physical comfort is often rooted in the satisfaction of basic bodily needs and a warm and pleasant environment. Emotional or psychological comfort stems from a sense of safety, predictability, and security. Social comfort is achieved from a feeling of belonging and acceptance. Finally, there is a deeper internal comfort that comes from a life lived according to living life as God has designed us to live. That is only possible if we know the truth about life and God and choose to be in alignment with truth.
Sadly, many can be comfortable because their physical, emotional, and social situations are as they would like for them to be. That neglects a deeper, eternal comfort that has significant implications for the balance of their lives and for what lies after death.
Today’s Sermon: Humility and Teachability
This morning I have the privilege of preaching at Memorial Baptist Church while our lead pastor is away. The text of the sermon is Proverbs 9:1-12. Verse 12 says, “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” The implication is that those who accept godly correction improve their own lives. This verse summarizes the idea that the choice between wisdom and foolishness—between godly truth and selfish arrogance—has direct consequences for a person’s own life.
To be willing to be reproved, corrected, and taught, you have to be humble. You have to recognize that something is lacking. The proud see no such need. They may be “comfortable” in their ignorance, but that comfort won’t last.
It is interesting when I asked AI to answer this question about my previous posts, it said the following when asked what I say about humility: “The blogger also identifies several hallmarks of a humble person, noting that they are typically teachable—admitting their own lack of wisdom or insight—and they recognize their inherent dependency rather than claiming independence.”
The Way of the Fool
The passage continues in verse 13 to talk about the way of folly. That section ends in death. But it isn’t a finality of death. Verse 18 says, “But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.” That is not a place where anyone will be comforted or comfortable.
Proverbs 12:1 “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
How to Identify a Follower of Jesus
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Five Minute Friday
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.
All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.
