"Therefore whoever hear these sayings of Mine, and does them, ...to a wise man who built his house on the rock:...Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." {Matthew 7:24,26} Jesus in bringing His great sermon to a close, talks about how two groups of people will receive His words.

One group will hear these faithful teachings of the Lord and apply them to their lives. Christ likens them to those who build their houses on rocks. Something that is tried, tested, and will withstand the storms that beat upon it. Life will beat upon us and try to buckle our knees. Yet, if we follow the teachings of Christ, we can be sure that when the "storms of life" come, and they will come, we will survive them. We'll be stronger for the next onslaught Satan and the world throw at us as we struggle through life. This house is built upon a strong and enduring foundation.

Others will hear these teachings of our Lord, but will make no application to their lives. Christ likens them to folks who build their house on the sand. Something that is shaky, flimsy, and easily toppled. Life will also beat upon this "house." But the result will be quite different from the house built on the rock. The builders' will buckle, they will become discouraged and distraught at the events of life. Many will turn and blame God for their difficulties. Instead of becoming stronger, they grow weaker. What happened? Life overcame them. To them life seems unhappy and not worth living. This foundation is weak and shifting and will not grow stronger. The house built on the sand will always be under fire.

It is conceivable that these two houses were made of the same building materials. Maybe even the same blueprint. Both were subject to the same tests of rain, flood, and wind. The foundation determines if your "house" stands. The quality and character of our spiritual lives will be clearly seen when the storms of life come into our lives. Upon which foundation is your spiritual house built? Are you applying the truth, or just hearing the words?