Proverbs 9:8. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
What’s the main difference between the scoffing fool and the wise man? The wise man can take reproof, but the scoffer cannot. The wise man loves the one who holds them accountable, but the scoffer hates the one who tries to confront them. The wise man humbly receives instruction, advice, constructive criticism, but the scoffer rejects all help and input.
The bigger the fool the more they are entrenched in their own way of thinking. Wisdom uses criticism to teach us, but the scoffer will have none of it. The wise, however, welcomes criticism. The wise want to be held accountable. The wise love reproof.
At my church I am one of the pastors who regularly preaches. Each week we meet as a pastoral staff and evaluate every part of the previous Sunday’s service, including the sermon that I just preached. My preaching is analyzed, dissected, and critiqued. Sometimes it is very hard to listen to. Sometimes I even hate the thought of it. But if I am going to be wise, I will love the process and love the people who take the time to correct, instruct, and reprove.
Simply put, you can’t be wise without ongoing reproof in your life. So who do you allow to reprove you? Who has permission to hold you accountable and correct you? Just Jesus? OK, that’s a great start, but what about the community? A spiritual friend? The church?
Yes, the indwelling Spirit of Christ is constantly correcting you, guiding you, and disciplining you through your conscience, but far too often we miss out on his reproof because primarily the spirit uses the Body of Christ and the Word of Christ to reprove us. The church and the Bible.
Do you want to be wise? Then be under the teaching of the word in the church. Let the church have permission to discipline you. Let yourself be discipled by someone who will be honest with you and hold you accountable. Join a small group that will be honest with you about your sin.
Your conscience can become dull, even in Christ. But God’s word is never dull. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to soul and spirit, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hand the scalpel of God’s word to a wise surgeon of gospel grace. Let them steadily and gently cut you open to reveal your true heart, knowing that Christ in you is ready to be revealed, and not just your sin.
In Christ we don’t have to fear the reproof of God’s people or God’s word. When we ae cut open by God’s correction it is not only sin that is revealed, but also the Spirit. It is not only the fleshly thoughts and intentions of the heart that are exposed, but also the spiritual desires for grace and mercy as well. Yes, we might have to let godly reproof painfully remove the heart of stone, but the end result will always be worth it – the revealing of the new heart that loves and trusts our Savior, Jesus.
You: Who reproves you? Do they use God’s word to reveal your true heart to you?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ remove the fear of being corrected? How does it allow us to stay humble and open to reproof?
Christ in you: Is there a scoffer that you need to reprove? How can Christ give you the courage to say what needs to be said?
Pray: Father, thank you for your reproof from the Spirit and from Christ in me. But help me to surround myself with your word and our body that I may not grow hard-hearted as I grow older. Amen.
To Live is Christ 