Proverbs 9:7-10 - Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
The author of Proverbs talks about two opposite reactions you can get from people when you try to teach or correct them. People who are wise and righteous already will thank you; they are grateful for any help you can give them to get closer to what's good and right. But people who are wicked and spend their time laughing at what is good—well, if you try to set them right, you'll be sorry. You may get a bloody nose for it!
Why? I think it comes down to attitudes of the heart. The first group of people tend to be humble; they know that they make mistakes, and they fall into sin daily. They aren't happy about that fact, and when a fellow Christian comes along and gently sets them straight, they are grateful. Because of course that means getting closer to Jesus—following Him more closely, and doing the things that make Him happy. They love Him, and they are glad for any help they can get to love Him more.
Of course this is not the standard attitude human beings have in this world! Those who don't love the Lord? Well, of course they take the slightest correction as an attack. And they react strongly, even violently. "Who are you to tell me what to do?" they say. "Who made you God? You're not my mother!" And so on and so forth. By trying to help, you have threatened their egos; and they won't put up with that.
And so now we face the question—what about our own reactions? Because the way we react instinctively says a lot about which group we belong in. Are we among those who love the Truth so much we appreciate every help getting closer to Him? Or not?
If you realize you tend to be touchy and self-defensive, don't give up. There's help for you—and for me. That help is Jesus our Lord, who's been dealing with touchy, self-defensive human beings ever since people first went wrong in the Garden of Eden. He is gracious and gentle, and He can tame our defensive, angry hearts. He gave His life on the cross to make it possible, when He died and rose again for our sakes. As He said, " I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean ... And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you ... you shall be My people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses" (Ezekiel 36:25a, 26b-27a, 28b-29a). Jesus has promised to do it, and He will carry it through.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I need help. Give me a humble heart that responds to You and is glad to come closer to You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have trouble bringing yourself to speak up when someone needs correction?
2. Why or why not?
3. If you are willing, tell about a time the Lord set you straight.
Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 7-9 1 Corinthians 7:20-40
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