November 11 - Despise Or Regard?

Proverbs 15:4-7
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.”

Do we despise instruction or regard reproof?
It’s the difference between trouble or treasure.

Oftentimes we are unaware of our need to be corrected. When everything we do is right within our own eyes, we are headed down a dead end road. 

We can either choose to enjoy God’s instruction and correction, or endure it. He may use a circumstance to get your attention, or He may use a person to speak Words of Wisdom to your heart. Though it may hurt at first, their godly counsel is for your good. 

Proverbs 27:9
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.”

Instead of enduring God’s correction, we can choose to be thankful that He loves us enough to instruct us. 

Job 5:17-18
“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.”

When we live as though His reproof is confirmation that we are His, we can be joyful as He molds us to be more like Him.


Bible Reading:
Ezekiel 1-2  |  Ephesians 3  |  Proverbs 11