by: Rhonda Kennard
1 Corinthians 3:9-10 tells us, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry: ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon.”
In medieval times castles were constructed not only to be the home of kings, nobles, and their families, but they were also built for defense against the enemy. Medieval castle building required around three thousand workers who labored under the direction of the master builder.
Today, Christian women are also constructing our castles for the Master Builder, Jesus, the King of all kings. Each day as we arise, we choose, either consciously or carelessly, which building materials we will use to construct our castle.
Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” How do I become a wise woman building my castle? How do I avoid becoming the foolish plucking it down with my hands? Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines “plucketh” as: pulling down; overthrowing, ruining or breaking down. I can only become a wise castle builder by seeking the wise Master Builder daily and oftentimes, hourly. Sometimes, the activities of the family, the needs of little ones or perhaps just the daily tasks can become tedious or overwhelming. It would be to my benefit (and for the benefit of others) to just stop and silently call out to the Father, the Wonderful Counselor, for His peace and His guidance. Otherwise, I can become the foolish pulling down, ruining, or breaking down that which I have just built.
“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” (Psalms 138:3) I must always remember, I am never alone in my castle building!
Second, I can only successfully construct my castle using perfect plans, the Holy King James Bible. Castle building is a lifetime process that may be discouraging and will be very difficult at times, but hard work is also rewarding. 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages us, “…be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
It is also extremely important that as I am building the castle, I keep it clean by confession of my sins as the Holy Spirit speaks to me. Sin clutters the mind and heart with confusion and unhappiness; therefore, hindering strong and satisfying castle building. My “castle home” must be prepared daily for the presence of God, my Heavenly Father. This castle must be built to guard and protect from sin, the world, and the Devil… All enemies of the King of kings. These enemies seek to invade the castle in order to devastate and destroy every Christian’s precious life.
Solomon was chosen to build an earthly house for God. (1 Corinthians 28:10) Solomon said in 1 Kings 5:5, “…I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord.” Although Solomon was chosen by God to build the house of the Lord, David was chosen by God to assemble the materials for the house of the Lord. David carefully sought and chose only the best building materials. David did not go to the bargain stores or “near-new” shops for these materials. This was not going to be a common building. I love to shop for bargains at “near-new” shops, but when building my castle, I cannot afford to use cheap building materials. I must avoid using the worthless materials of pride, selfishness, discontentment, and covetousness. Pride causes contention in your castle. (Proverbs 13:10) God destroys the house of the pride. (Proverbs 15:25) Pride goes before destruction! (Proverbs 16:18) God commands us to avoid covetousness and to be content (Hebrews13:5.) God warns “Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong.” (Jeremiah 22:13)
It is of utmost importance that I not only seek the Lord Jesus Christ daily for wisdom, strength, and guidance when building my castle, but I must also build on the Lord Jesus Christ and the truths of His Word. A personal and faithful walk with God brings a sweet security into the castle. If I use building materials such as the Word of God, abundant prayer, love, forgiveness, humility, and righteousness, God will bless my efforts and undertake for me in my lack.
Finally, I must strive to fill each room with pleasant and precious riches (Proverbs 24:3-4) of understanding, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23) Why should we be a castle builder? Our loved ones need and desire a place of safe retreat; a refuge where they know that they are loved, important, cared for, and protected. Strive to build your castle to be the most God honoring, loving, secure, place of defense from your enemies of sin, the world, and the Devil for each of our cherished loved ones. 1 Corinthians 17:26-27, “And now, Lord, thou are God… Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee forever: for thou blesses, O LORD, and it shall be blessed forever.”
Rhonda Kennard
Assistant Pastor’s Wife
Longview Baptist Temple
Longview, TX