Good morning, afternoon, evening (good whenever),
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself...and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer...or he will hate you...reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser...teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied...and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise for yourself. And if you scoff, you alone will bear it." (Pro-Verbs 9:7-12)
Being a teacher is hard. In class...you have some who want to be taught...some who are there in class..."in body only." In I Timothy 3:16-17...the progression of teaching is laid out:
"All Scripture is God-breathed/inspired by God...and profitable for (1) teaching [information presented] (2) reproof [a testing of knowledge of information] (3) correction [taking wrong answers and making them right] (4) training [practicing the correct information]...IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
(I Timothy 3:16-17)
In karate...we are taught in class...we practice at home...we demonstrate what we have practiced back in class...and then the instructor corrects what we have demonstrated...we go back home and practice again. If we get cocky and arrogant...we resent the instructor...but if we are wise... we take the instruction...and get it right.
That's how it is in the Kingdom of God. You have got scoffers and wicked who give you dishonor and insults...and you have wise and righteous who will love you and get wiser and increase in learning.
The starting point is to fear the Lord...is the beginning of this thing called wisdom....that leads to the knowledge of the Holy One and understanding. The scoffer can't learn..and the cause and effect is...no wisdom...no knowledge...and a life alone. The wise...take instruction...and GET IT RIGHT.
This Pro-Verb reminds me of Jesus' words about handing out to dogs and swine..."Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine...or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6) Hmmm...sounds like the wicked scoffers.
Love and Instructing Kisses
Rodney "Trying To Get It Right" Boyd
Matt. 7:6 has always made me stop and think about the word... "swine" and has always caught in my throat!! Jesus used strong words didn't he??
ReplyDelete