Proverbs 6:23
“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.”
I have to admit, I really dislike this verse. It tells me that reproofs for discipline are the way of life. In the Hebrew language, the word discipline is musar which means correction, or chastisement. I don’t know of anyone who gets up in the morning and calls out to God to chastise them. But it gets worse, because the way we receive this correction or chastisement is by way of reproof.
I remember a couple of years ago our church was having a special Christmas program. The program involved a lot of different monologues and skits. We had invited some friends to come to the service and we met them in the lobby before the program. The sanctuary doors were closed, but I ignored that small fact and boldly walked into the worship center. One of the members of the cast was going through his monologue, but I ignored him and started a conversation with one of our friends.
The person in charge of the program came over and quietly asked us to leave if we were going to talk so that we would not disturb the actor. I was silent as we walked out, but I was fuming inside. How dare I be asked to leave! I was embarrassed and felt shamed in front of our friends. After the program I made sure I ran into the person who asked us to leave and I made sure that individual clearly understood how angry I was.
The question I needed to ask myself is why was I so angry? Why did I feel embarrassed and ashamed? The truthful answer is because I was corrected and I did not like it. Should I have entered those closed doors? Should I have started a discussion while the actor was working on a difficult monologue? The answer is a resounding no! I was full of pride which lead me to disrespect the actor and the leader. I needed the correction I was given in order to go back to the correct path. The path of being humble, obedient and respectful.
None of us like chastisement, correction, or reproof, but if we are honest, we will admit all of us need those to focus us back on the correct path that is lit by our LORD’S teaching. The next time I become angry at being corrected I am going to stop, take a deep breath, and remind myself I am being corrected so I can walk the correct path. This will not be easy, but it will be well worth the effort!