Proverbs
{12:1} Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
Loves instruction.
Hates reproof.
Most of the time we do hate reproof. Why? We hate reproof because it points out our wrongs, our faults, our failures. In a world that praises success from the moment a child does something good to reprimanding them from the moment they do something wrong it's easy to see why we become that way isn't it? We associate reproof with being bad and being bad is worth punishing and punishing isn't sometihng meant to be fun and nice it's meant to be teaching us not to do bad. I think somewhere along the line we don't start out learning it's to teach us to be good, we learn shame of having faults. We learn shame and that feeling of shame isn't something we want so we come to hate reproof, wanting to be thought good and right all the time.
Okay, so maybe this isn't a 'we' thing, maybe this is a 'me' thing.
I know that from a personal standpoint the feeling that I get when someone points out I've done something wrong, something bad, messed up something important, forgot something I needed to remember, that I feel horrible.
Am I brutish? If I am, God help me. I know I need to learn to love instruction and God is helping me- despising not the 'chastening of the Lord'. It's a process of unlearning really because of the ingrain belief I've held for so long that chastening, the reproving is a bad thing. If we can learn that *learning* from our mistakes is a good thing, that no one is above making mistakes it's the aftermath we have to deal correctly with then maybe it'd be something less than brutish. I know I say 'we' but I mean 'me', because for all I know anyone reading this has a handle on this.
Read on... Proverbs is full of instruction-
{12:2} A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
{12:3} A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
{12:4} A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.
{12:5} The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.
{12:6} The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
{12:7} The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
{12:8} A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
{12:9} [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
{12:10} A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
{12:11} He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.
{12:12} The wicked desireth the net of evil [men:] but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit. ]
{12:13} The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
{12:14} A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
{12:15} The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.
{12:16} A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
{12:17} [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
**
There is the truth.
Speaking the truth.
Not lying.
Speaking the truth is righteous.
Speaking lies isn't.
{12:18} There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
{12:19} The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.
**
That is so beautiful really.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever.
Lying tongues are but for a moment.
Forever.
The truth is forever.
Lies aren't.
In the grand scheme of eternity, the wicked will be gone and the righteous will live forever.
Truth.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
It's through Jesus we live forever.
Let's finish this chapter of Proverbs....
{12:20} Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.
{12:21} There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
{12:22} Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.
{12:23} A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
{12:24} The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
{12:25} Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
{12:26} The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
{12:27} The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
{12:28} In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.
**
So much is said here, so much.
We need to take it to heart.
We need to take instruction.
Jesus loves us, and we need to love Him with all our heart.
May God help us all learn to love truth, to love instruction, to love Him by the grace of God our Lord and Savior now and forever.
Amen.
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