The Wise and Foolish Builders
In this parable Jesus illustrates the crucial difference between hearing his words and putting them into practice by depicting two builders who face the same violent storm. The wise man builds his house on rock so it stands firm amid the rains and floods while the foolish man builds on sand and sees his house fall with great ruin. Spoken to the crowds this teaching shows that obedience alone creates a sure foundation essential for enduring in the life of God's redemptive kingdom.
Category: Obedience
Meaning: Hearing God's word without obeying it is like building on sand - only obedience provides a sure foundation.
Audience: Crowds
Key Passages
The Parable
Matthew 7:24-27
24herefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Did You Know?
The wise man built his house on the rock. When the storm came, it stood firm.
The foolish man built on sand. The same storm caused his house to fall with a great crash.
Jesus says everyone who hears His words and does them is like the wise builder.
Hearing without obeying leads to ruin when the storms of life come.