May 29, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:1 -- How open are you, really?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1 ESV
 
The word discipline here means correction, or instruction in a better way. If you are held to account for your actions, it means some person is willing to face you (and your potentially angry reaction) to keep you from going down a wrong path that leads to death. The ability to receive admonition is closely connected to the knowledge of God.
 
Reproof is correction that leads to life. Here like the first line of this proverb, we encounter someone who loves a friend enough to call out destructive behavior. But this time the criticism despised. The one called out is stupid. That word stupid is rarely used in the Bible. It is found in Psalm 49. There a stupid man, like the fool, will die, leaving their wealth to others.
 
Are you humble enough to listen when someone corrects you? Even if the person who is calling you out doesn’t do so in a loving way? It is hard to screw up the courage to tell someone what they’re doing is wrong. Every single one of us is called to be humble before Jesus. He alone is perfect. He alone is our standard. We are called to be holy as He is holy. When we examine our lives we are not comparing to someone who is slightly better than us, (or if we want to make ourselves feel better, we compare ourselves to someone we think is below our standards). No, we compare ourselves to Christ. That way, not one of us can boast. No one comes out of that comparison looking good. So, in gratitude overwhelmed by the mercies of God, we receive correction and instruction so that in all things Christ is adored.
 
O LORD,
I confess I am wise-in-my-own-eyes stubborn. Let Your word drill down and show me the mess of sin churning within me. Give me the grace necessary to hear and receive correction. By Your Holy Spirit, make me more fruitful and more spiritual in all my activities so that Jesus is honoured and adored through my humble service to Him and all this to the glory of God, my Father. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/Pr2RG-xR2lA?si=ABrAqYR8TqYtyKxw Prince of Peace

 

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