An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

What Do You Mean I Have a Problem

(Proverbs 29:1 KJV)  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

This brings to mind some recent conflict I have been having.  I have this inner need to defend myself.  I find myself getting very sensitive to criticism.  The most common translation involves “hardens” (7185) and “neck” (6203).  Another good translation is “stiff neck”.  The ones that tend to paraphrase use “stubborn”.  Any way you look at it involves a refusal to listen to criticism.

Yet it is not just criticism.  It is Godly criticism which is labeled “reproof” (8433b).  This is a part of the mature Christian life, the life of wisdom, that we don’t like.  Part of the resistance is because we are trying to separate the false criticism from the genuine reproof.  That is a healthy tension but too often it is simply a matter of not wanting to be corrected.

So?  I need to struggle to listen instead of reject.  It might be more than just me that needs to fight that battle but I don’t want to criticize.  Right. 

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

God is one thing, people are another. Though we have a right to defend our reputations and opinions, people are so illogical with their hatefulness anymore that I often just "walk away" shaking my head. As they say, some folks wouldn't recognize the truth if you wrote it on a 2x4 and smacked them alongside the head with it.

Pumice said...

You need to watch your language. "Logic" is a four letter word. You need to use the new Common Core math to get that but that is another topic.

Grace and peace.