“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1
Scripture reading: Isaiah 66:1-6
The word discipline here means correction, or instruction. If you are held to account for your actions, it means someone is willing to admonish you from going down a wrong path that leads to death. The ability to receive admonition is closely connected to the knowledge of God.
Reproof is correction that leads to life. Here, like the first line of this proverb, we encounter someone who loves a friend enough to call out destructive behavior. But this time the criticism is despised. The one called out is stupid, a word rarely used in the Bible. It is found in Psalm 49. There, a stupid man, like the fool who will die, leaves his wealth to others.
Are you humble enough to listen when someone corrects you, even if the person who is correcting you doesn’t do so in a loving way? It is hard to get the courage to tell someone what they’re doing is wrong. Every one of us is called to be humble before Jesus. He alone is perfect and is our standard. We are called to be holy as He is holy. When we examine our lives, we are not comparing ourselves to someone who is slightly better than us, (or ourselves to someone we think is below our standards). No, we compare ourselves to Christ. That way, no one can boast. No one comes out of that comparison looking good. So, in gratitude overwhelmed by the mercies of God, receive correction and instruction, so that in all things Christ is adored.
Suggestions for prayer
Examine your heart before the Spirit of God, seeking to discern if you are truly humble and therefore teachable.
Rev. Richard T. Vander Vaart and his wife Carolyn are now in their seventh year living in Moncton, NB. with Redemption Prison Ministry as a pastor in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com