📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's closing parable of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 7:24-27): the wise man who hears the Lord's words and does them builds on rock; the foolish man who hears and does not do builds on sand. The same storms test both houses; the rock-built house stands; the sand-built house falls with great fall. The distinguishing mark is doing the words, not just hearing them.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
BUILD, v.t.
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To frame, construct, and raise a house, fabric, or other edifice. To build upon a rock, in Christ's teaching, signifies an obedient hearing of His words.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 7:24 — "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock."
Matthew 7:25 — "The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."
Matthew 7:26 — "Every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand."
James 1:22 — "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity hears extensively and does sparingly; the parable is built around the doing.
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Christ's closing parable of the Sermon on the Mount divides hearers into two and only two categories: those who hear His sayings and do them (rock), and those who hear His sayings and do not (sand). Both groups attend the sermon. Both hear the words. The distinguishing mark is the doing.
Modern Christianity has unprecedented access to biblical content. Sermons online; commentaries on apps; Bible studies; podcasts; conferences; books. Hearing has never been more accessible. Doing has not necessarily kept pace. James 1:22 names the danger: be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. The deception is real. Build on the rock. The storm is coming for every house; the foundation alone determines which one stands.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek petra (G4073), rock; oikodomeo (G3618), build.
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Usage
"Modern Christianity hears extensively and does sparingly; the parable is built around the doing."
"Both groups attend the sermon; the doing is the only difference."
"The storm is coming for every house; the foundation alone determines which stands."