Based on assorted scriptures, I have designed a little quiz for everyone to take that I hope will help prepare your hearts for the following Bible study. Answering honestly, just circle true or false at the end of each question. Afterward, you may proceed with the study, and then take the quiz one more time to see if your answers would change….
I am open to correction. T F
I resist instruction. T F
I disregard discipline. T F
There is very little for which I have had to be admonished over the years.
T F
I welcome and appreciate constructive criticism from anybody. T F
There are certain types of knowledge I despise. T F
I rarely reject wisdom and often seek understanding. T F
People who know me would characterize me as a teachable person. T F
Rebukes often have a positive impact on me. T F
I take pleasure in debates with persons in leadership/management positions. T F
I am thankful for the various authorities in my life and pray for them often. T F
Rather than taking offense, I believe a reprimand to be a kindness. T F
I am disinclined to accept advice and often hesitate to seek counsel. T F
There are more than a few areas in my life where I tend to be willful. T F
I usually learn my lessons the hard way and prefer an “independent”
education to being trained by persons wiser than me. T F
My reputation has been damaged by my failure to respect my instructors.
T F
I am lazy when it comes to looking in the Bible for the truth about myself
and find it hard to reflect seriously within my own heart. T F
It has been a long time since I yielded to conviction, confessed, and repented of a specific sin in response to true Bible preaching. T F
I have requested that my pastor alert me if he ever sees anything amiss in my life. T F
I am currently working on an admitted fault and have asked for prayer to achieve victory in the matter. T F
Persons who usually choose me for a friend have good sense and prudence. T F
I do not want to struggle with submission. T F
Now that you have had 22 chances to do some soul searching, let’s do some more! Isn’t this fun?? Actually, personal enjoyment is irrelevant - what matters most is truth and what we are doing with it! So, I want to discuss the topic of REPROOF today and it’s place and purpose in our lives. Do you believe there is any value to reproof? Our response to reproof exposes our belief about it. It is my heart’s desire that I think about this matter as GOD says I should – how about you?
Proverbs 6:23 (KJV)
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction
are the way of life:
Proverbs 10:17 (KJV)
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth
reproof erreth.
Ladies, reproof should never make us uneasy, uncomfortable, or unpleasant persons. God says reproofs are the way of life, not death. No matter how much the truth might hurt, you aren’t going to die from receiving a reproof. But, to refuse reproof would be a grave mistake, literally! Are you in the way of life? In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” hence, our Savior has personally invested in distinct requisitions for holy amendment!
Proverbs 15:5 (KJV)
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof
is prudent.
Whether it is our earthly father or heavenly Father, we must regard reproof from various authorities and overseers in the world and in the church. Only a fool would despise the instruction that would steer him in the right direction. Do you resent chastisement for a wrong or a fault? Do you hate being corrected? Do you detest holy regulation of your affairs? Do you snub spiritual guidance in your life? Ladies, today’s Bible study is being presented to you because there is proof by reproof about what you really believe concerning the way of life. It would behoove you to be honest with yourself today! While a fool would despise the occasion, a prudent individual considers whether or not there is wickedness in his/her life…
Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass
on, and are punished.
Eccles. 5:1 (KJV)
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to
hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that
they do evil.
Like any good parent, God wants His children to have enough sense to recognize evil and get out of its way. This is not just evil around us, but within us too. Ladies, if we don’t, we’ll just plunge into one problem after another! Reproofs come because our troubles never drove us to investigate why we ended up in such a mess and what we need to do to change our direction. Many people, including God’s children, are entirely unaffected by their evil doings; sin doesn’t bother their conscience in the slightest. Don’t be simple (indifferent) - don’t shun reproof and the opportunity it provides to take a good clear look at yourself and escape severe sentencing for your wrongdoings. As you examine your response to blame expressed to your face, you’ll discover your heart...
Proverbs 15:32 (KJV)
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth
reproof getteth understanding.
Proverbs 15:10 (KJV)
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth
reproof shall die.
Proverbs 12:1 (KJV)
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof
is brutish.
Proverbs 5:12-14 (KJV)
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
[13] And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear
to them that instructed me! [14] I was almost in all evil in the midst
of the congregation and assembly.
What a blessing when there is someone willing to tell us the truth when we can’t or won’t do it for ourselves! Believe it or not, a reproof is a kindness… But when we have forsaken the way of life, correction is grievous to us. We prefer to have our own way, in spite of the consequences. Ladies, when we have come to the place in our lives where we hate being instructed, corrected, reproved, rebuked, admonished, chastised etc., the Bible says we are brutish in nature. We are like a wild animal without restraint, entirely consumed with our own purposes. Our manners will be brazen and shameless, raw and unreserved, almost grizzly-like in operation. I hope that doesn’t describe you! If so, chances are you haven’t responded to holy reasoning, as God would like…
Proverbs 1:23-30 (KJV)
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I
will make known my words unto you. [24] Because I have called, and ye
refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; [25] But ye
have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: [26]
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
[27] When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh
as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. [28] Then shall
they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but
they shall not find me: [29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not
choose the fear of the Lord: [30] They would none of my counsel: they
despised all my reproof.
God promises us His Spirit and a deeper understanding of His Word if we would turn in the right direction when reproved – toward Him! Is that the turn you usually take when blamed to your face? Do you have the right attitude toward the personal instruction God provides for you in various ways? Or do you reject the assorted attempts the Lord has made to get your attention?
Psalm 141:5 (KJV)
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove
me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet
my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
The more we accept reproof in this life, the greater our chances will be of hearing God say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” When we don’t allow persons with pure motives to approach us about our misconduct, it is evident to the Lord and others that the quality of your Christian character is of no concern to you. I’ve seen believers pridefully dare people to come to them on any issue, defying the fact that it would ever pose a problem, but turn red with rage when it actually happens! Will you really let the brethren reprove you whenever you slight the Word of God, or are you just saying that? Those of us who fear such activity will break our heads ought to be more concerned with the breaking of our hearts! Why not pray that God would give you the grace to receive reproof so that if and when there is a need you will be glad for it and take correction as He intends you should!
Proverbs 29:1 (KJV)
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed,
and that without remedy.
It’s a scary thing when folks recurrently refuse clear occasion to change their ways, for in so doing they are mocking the mercy of the Lord, and there are disastrous results of sinning against God! Those who ignore discipline can expect great trouble; those who accept it can expect honor. Philip. 2:15 urges believers to rigidly censure themselves, aiming for heaven and arriving without a blot! “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” Yes, God warns us all to flee the wrath to come…. Ladies, reproofs are God’s rescue mission at work as He steers His devoted servants to talk to you face to face and save you from the snares of Satan and all the workers of iniquity! Don’t tell me that isn’t a great kindness; don’t tell me that saints who are willing to deal with your works of darkness are cruel or malicious! It’s what God expects us to do for each other…
Ephes. 5:11 (KJV)
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them.
The world has a well-known motto that says, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” Well, the church should have it’s own motto too, “Friends don’t let friends live in the dark.” Yes, a true friend of God would tell you when your life is headed away from the way of life and the light of Christ! Do you have any Christian friends like that? Or have you shunned them, labeling them unkind and unloving for the truth? Are you a good friend, dear lady? Would you be willing to wisely address someone face-to-face, on God’s behalf, whenever necessary?
Proverbs 25:12 (KJV)
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover
upon an obedient ear.
Ladies, no matter what label you may give one who wisely reproves you, God considers them an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold when their reproof is carried out in the proper fashion! What you need to concern yourself with is whether or not you have an obedient ear…. Have you let God adorn your character in accordance to His Word? Do you truly value reproof as the Bible says we should? Why not take the quiz again just to be sure!
Proverbs 13:18 (KJV)
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that
regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2004 Pamela A. Iannello
