Proverbs 15:10 “Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die.” – NET
Proverbs 15:5 – “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
2 Timothy 3: 16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
REPROOF = Dismantling erroneous teachings. – some things have to be dismantled in your life by The Holy Spirit
The Bible is not just a book. Even though it contains some history,it’s not a history book. Its God Breathed, Its Living. God used man’s hand to write it (2 Tim; 3, 16 – Man was just the secretary). As a Christian, believe what Word says. Be Word minded not world minded. Get WORD in your mind.
Call it correction, reproof, or rebuke — Paul uses all three terms in just four verses in 2 Timothy 3:16–4:2 — but don’t miss what makes it distinctively Christian, and a gift to our souls: It is a great act of love. The kind of rebuke that the Scriptures commend is the kind intended to stop us from continuing on a destructive path.
I remember back in childhood days when we always felt hated anytime we were disciplined by our parents. We have chalked successful heights today, thanks to those bitter times of discipline and reproof. The wise man in Proverbs exclaims that the one who hates reproof will die.
Reproof is simply the act of rebuking, correcting or criticizing a person. To say the least, rebuke and criticism can be very unpleasant but as long as we remain imperfect, we will definitely face reproof. Therefore, the real issue is not about whether or not we will be rebuked or criticized someday, but more to do with our attitude towards reproof. Do we despise correction and constructive criticism? Or do we see them as opportunities for us to be better?
One other critical lesson we need to embrace is the fact that discipline is inevitable and constant in life. It is either we discipline ourselves or nature, laws, and other people discipline us. For example, if you do not discipline yourself to work hard, poverty will discipline you. It is always better to stay disciplined than to be disciplined by an external source.
For those who hate discipline and reproof, people watch them without saying a word even when they are doing something that will definitely destroy their own lives. I’ve worked with some people who give a million reasons to justify their mistakes anytime they are reproved. With time, we had to keep quiet for them to sink in their wrongdoings, so they developed a teachable spirit the hard way.
Reproof is a fork in the road for a sinful soul. Will we cringe at correction like a curse, or embrace rebuke as a blessing? One of the great themes in Proverbs is that those who embrace rebuke are wise and walk the path of life, while those who despise reproof find themselves to be fools careening toward death.
Precious one, as we go about our daily endeavors, let us be wise in the way we handle, reproof, and discipline. He who showers you praises at a time you need reproof does more harm to you than good. For every reproof, let us think through and sieve out the valuable lessons to be learned. That will save us from many pending troubles. Don’t hate reproof; this is wisdom, embrace it.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I ask for Grace to overcome every form of pride that causes me to hate reproof. Those You Love, You correct. Guide me in all I do oh LORD. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
QUESTION FOR MEDITATION
Do I hate to be reproved?
