<p>7:35 <i>But wisdom is justified of all her children</i>- This could simply mean that both His and John's disciples would be justified in the end, despite their differences.</p><p>Appreciating the inter-relation between 'doctrine' and practice will result in our seeing through the fallacy that because someone's deeds are good, therefore it doesn't matter too much about their doctrine. The spiritual fruit which God seeks is that which is brought forth by the seed of His word, the Gospel. To&nbsp;<i>really</i>&nbsp;understand the basic Gospel with one's heart is to bring forth fruit, to be converted. True wisdom is justified by the works she brings forth (Mt. 11:19). This is why true conversion involves understanding and perceiving, and not merely hearing doctrinal truth (Mt. 13:15). Yet the counter argument would be that there are people who know God&rsquo;s truth who behave poorly, and there are those who know little of it who act well. This is why the Lord speaks of &ldquo;wisdom&rdquo;, not &ldquo;truth&rdquo;; for wisdom is God&rsquo;s truth applied in practice.&nbsp;<br />On another level, we see here the Lord&rsquo;s response to slander, both of Himself and John. Wisdom is justified of her children- in the end. The &ldquo;children&rdquo; are those of Himself and John, who have just featured in His parable of the preachers, His children, meeting lack of response in the town square. Even if there is lack of response to the invitation, the Lord was confident that both His &lsquo;children&rsquo; (the &ldquo;little ones&rdquo; of Mt. 10:42) and John&rsquo;s would be the justification of the truth and wisdom which they were teaching. This is all a comfort to those undergoing slander. In the end, if we are on the side of wisdom, we shall be justified.</p>