Proverbs 12:1, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
I often look to other translations in addition to my study Bible of Kings James, and I love how the NIV states the last part of this passage: He who hates correction is stupid! Ok, I’ve often thought how stupid individuals are that continue to visit the same sins and refuse to listen to the guiding hand of their loved ones. Eventually, they find they are faced with more serious consequences as their sin breaches into the laws of our communities. You wonder how an individual can commit the same crime over and over, knowing that they will face severe punishment, yet they proceed headlong as if it didn’t matter. The Kings James uses the word brutish as if the hating of correction is a direct defiant act; yes, it too is based on lack of knowledge and the actions of stupidity to go head long into something you’ve been warned against.
Unfortunately, I’ve been guilty of acting this way. Haven’t we all been found at times in the same shoes? I’ve been so determined to do things my way that I wouldn’t listen to the reproof of others and my pride kept me from receiving instruction (prayerfully, it doesn’t happen frequently). Perhaps our sins are not known publicly, but the LORD sees our tendency to return to old sins and when we are caught either by others or convicted by the Holy Spirit, do we respond with stupidity or are we wise to receive correction?
The LORD corrects those He loves, just as a parent wants to see their child grow up with a heart submissive to God’s Will, so He continues to direct us to be submissive to Him. Proverbs 5: 11-14 reviews the outcome of those who live their lives as they please, spurning correction and hating any form of discipline. It states at the end of their life they come to the brink of utter ruin. In old age they will look back and sadly acknowledge that they were the fool!
Let us be children ready to hear the Word of instruction and take it to our hearts and act upon it in submission to our LORD.
Prayer: Lord, you know the thoughts of man and sadly they are vanity. We are blessed when you chastise us; teach us from your Word. LORD you will not cast off your people or forsake us. Your judgments are righteous; instruct us to follow you. LORD, we know if you had not been our help we would have dwelt in silence. When our foot slipped, your mercy held us up. Father, your corrections are a comfort to our souls. Thank you! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Abiding Still,
Connie Renfro ©
No comments:
Post a Comment