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How
Are You At Receiving Instruction?
Are you a fool? The Bible says we are if we are unable to receive
instruction from others. The word “fool” appears about seventy times in
the book of Proverbs, and many of these occurrences stress the
reluctance of the fool to listen to instructions and rebuke. Listen
closely to these sage words...
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds
counsel is wise” (12:15).
“A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives
correction is prudent” (15:5).
“A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his
own heart” (18:2).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools
despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7).
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For
scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge”
(1:22).
“The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the
wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who
heeds rebuke gets understanding” (15:31-32).
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates
correction is stupid” (12:1).
No one likes to be thought of as a “fool” or as being “stupid.“ To be
categorized in such a way by our fellow-man is perhaps tolerable, but
certainly no one wants to be so recognized by the Lord.
Beloved, how then can we read these and continue to resist the counsel,
admonishments, and rebukes of our neighbors, family members, and
brethren? But sadly, some continue in their ‘foolishness.‘ Perhaps they
have a distaste for the ‘message-bearers’ in their life--(“Who are YOU
to instruct me?”) Maybe the problem is pride. Perhaps (and this is the
case with many), lusts get in the way. (“You’re telling me to stop a
certain practice, but I just don’t want to!”)
If we continue to resist the advice and exhortation of our fellow-man,
the time will come when such instruction will stop (Proverbs 9:7-8;
23:9). What will we do then?
--Mike Noble
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