Proverbs 13
1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs 15
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honour.
To ponder:
1) Instruction: When do I not listen? Well, why should I if I know what I’m doing? Implied: Self-sufficient
2) Correction: Why don’t I pay attention? Why, what’s wrong? What’s there to correct? Implied: Self-righteous
3) Command: But I’m the boss. I’m the mother. I’m the teacher. Implied: Self-important
4) Discipline: Ouch, it hurts! Do I enjoy discipline? Nope. What is most hurt in discipline? Pride.
Application:
The secret to live wisely is to keep learning. To be open to instructions, to listen to correction, and to accept discipline. A teacher needs to be teachable. I learn from my students. I learn as I prepare to teach. I learn while I teach. Even young children have something to teach adults. Instruction is first step to new learning. Correction leads to re-learning. There is a better way to do things. It is one level up from receiving instruction. Next is rebuke or criticism. Being criticized hurts. More so discipline. Discipline involves punishment or facing consequence to improve behaviour.
God gave me much instruction, correction, rebuke and discipline in my marriage. It hurts. It is humbling sometimes to the point of being shameful. But God rejects the proud and give grace to the humble. Being humble is not about being shamed; not self-pity, not inferiority complex. Being humble is not being proud. Humility is something I lost when I think I have it. So I learned that the first step to humility is to be aware that I am proud. I acknowledged I was wrong. Each unpleasant, painful experience to be rebuked and disciplined helps me to be wise. Indeed, to be teachable brings reward, honor and life. At the heart of it is the fear of the Lord. To fear the Lord is to honor Him. Those who honor him, He honors.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
