Proverbs 15:31-32, Rejecting Reproofs
October 10, Proverbs 15:31-32
Heb. 2:1-13; Rom. 1:18-25 “He shall reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
Rejecting Reproofs
Who or what does the unteachable person despise? He despises his own soul. How true are the words of Thomas Brooks, “Vices are more costly than virtues”! It was a common saying where we grew up, that “a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.” Since he can see nothing at all truly, it matters not where you might seek to lead him. Many men are exactly like that blind horse!
2. Reject Reproofs, We Must Not. It is instructive to realise that the word refuse also means to neglect, ignore, to go unresolved. It is not that one opposes God or denies the need of His reproof. We are lost by neglect of so great salvation (Heb. 2:3). How many are content to drift on the “sea of life” like so many bubbles! In the parable of the wedding guests it is said simply, They made light of it, they just neglected the invitation, and went their ways (Mt. 22:5). Only the fool says, “God doesn’t matter.” At that rate how many such fools there are!
a. It is So Senseless. Paul describes our generation accurately when he says, Professing themselves to be wise they became fools (Rom. 1:22). Oh! The terrible blind perversion of sin. Only this can explain why we silence the voice of God that speaks so clearly in His Word. God is constantly reproving us by His Providence, and by our own conscience, however hardened it may be. Thus God rebukes His people, Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee (Ps. 50.17). In Jeremiah 44:7 God asks, Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls? Wherefore, indeed! How senseless to despise one’s own soul!
b. It is So Serious. If we grasped this fully, no one would be indifferent to his or her deepest needs, for they affect our immortal soul. The inescapable question comes with devastating force, What shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Mt. 16:26)? “Sinners undervalue their own souls, therefore, they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body” (Henry). Instruction involves discipline or correction, familiar words in the Book of Proverbs. There is the “discipline of fools or of the wise.” The choice should be easy, but the fact is that man, blinded by sin, does not see the true nature of his plight till God, in grace, opens his eyes. The prophet said of the Messiah that the chastisement of our peace was (laid) upon him (Isa. 53:5). The sinless One reproved for us! If He so valued our soul, should we any longer despise it? Solomon described those who will mourn at the last because they hated instruction, and despised reproof (Pr. 5:11-13). Go back and prayerfully read those verses. Consider how serious it is to be mocked by God at the last (Pr. 1:26)! “He that will not mend shall have an evil end.”
Thought: Will you be judged in sin or justified in your Saviour? Which?
Prayer: Continually correct and renew me, O Lord.