The Tested Foundation
Recommended Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5 | 2 Timothy 2
False information can weaken your foundation. As a contractor with years of experience, I know this well. In fact, I know it too well.
One morning, I received a call informing me that the foundation of one of my projects had failed. We had been experiencing heavy rainfall over the previous few days, which led to the washout of the existing foundation that I had been told was tested and stable to build on. This, in turn, caused my foundation to partially fail as well. It was truly a sight to behold! You could quite literally walk under my building on one end.
I met with all the higher-ups and presented my case, providing them with all the relevant facts. Even the school superintendent and architect agreed that the existing foundation was the problem. However, the issue was that I had never had anyone sign off on the existing foundation before I began the project. I assumed that they were knowledgeable professionals, and some of them had been present when the existing foundation was built. However, I was taught a costly lesson on this project, amounting to about $70,000.
This experience taught me that I must always test and verify information, regardless of what professional is providing me with “the facts.” Fortunately, I was able to recoup the loss in the long run and learned to no longer accept information without testing the facts for myself.
In construction, the foundation of your build is the foundation of the entire project and one of its most crucial components. To begin the stabilization of the foundation, soil analysis is conducted to ensure the integrity of the build. This analysis provides the necessary information to determine how much unstable soil needs to be removed and replaced with a soil that will stabilize the ground for the project to commence. Once the soil is in place, a compaction test is performed in various areas to ensure the stability of the entire area. If the test fails, additional work is undertaken to stabilize any areas that fail.
As Christians, we must be actively involved in our pursuit of knowledge, not just listening to “professionals,” but also testing and studying the Word. We must be diligent in discernment through prayer and listening to what the Holy Spirit is telling our hearts.
If we remain passive and accept information without studying and using wisdom from the Holy Spirit, we risk disrupting our spiritual foundation.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 AMP says, “But test all things carefully [so you can discern what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.”
2 Timothy 2:14-19 AMP states, “Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth. They claimthat the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”
When we rely on someone else’s understanding, we lose our own. The building site incident only cost time and money, if we apply this to our spiritual life, we risk losing much more.
Be diligent in examining the “truths” others share with you. Not because you don’t trust them, but because your foundation depends on a deeper stability that can only be achieved through testing.
Takeaway:
You must verify what you hear and see, even from experts. If we rely on others to provide information and knowledge without studying and praying, we could miss the essentials of a solid foundation.
Be a tested foundation.