Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline,
But he who regards reproof will be honored.
Proverbs 13:18 NASB
I love to grind my inner teeth on the failures in my life, especially those surrounding my daily walk as a Christian, or the perceived insults of others. That area of blackness is comfortable for me, and when someone messes with it by pointing out how wrong I am for dwelling in my pool of slime, I become upset. I’m not upset with the person who is giving me correction or mild chastisement. I am upset because I’ve been caught dwelling where I should not be living.
I have the same thought about reproof. The Hebrew for word reproof in this verse isn’t musar, its tokahat which means to speak words that show strong disapproval. I hate reproof it’s like drinking sour milk but the rancid taste stays with me for a far longer time! To be honest, I don’t know of anyone who jumps out of bed in the morning and with a joyful voice cries out, “reprove me today oh LORD, please reprove me!”
So why even bother with people who instruct and reprove us? Proverbs 6:23 provides the answer. It reads, “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline (musar) are the way of life.” (ESV) This verse lets me know instruction and reproof help me grow in all phases of my life, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. The next time someone gives me instruction or reproof, I am going to listen to what they say, and if it’s applicable, incorporate the teaching into my life. What are your thoughts?