REPROOF BRINGS WISDOM
Sunday, October 04, 1998
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJ)
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Reproof means: conviction of sin, punishment or refutation of error. Correction means: a straightening up again, a rectification or a reformation.
Instruction means: tutorage, education, training or disciplinary correction. It is translated in the KJV as chastening, chastisement, instruction or nurture.
The word of God is given to us to convict us (make us aware) of our sin. The word straightens us up, chastises, trains and corrects us. If we receive the word into our lives and hearts and if we allow it to do its work in us, we are wise and we will be even wiser. In other words it takes a measure of wisdom to have a heart open to instruction in the first place and as we allow the word into our hearts, it makes us even wiser. As you grow in God, you are continually learning from Him and being corrected and straightened up by Him.
Proverbs 10:17 (NKJ)
17He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.
God’s instruction leads us into life and produces life. When we won’t hear God’s instruction, we go astray – we make mistakes, we make wrong decisions and we go in the wrong direction.
Proverbs 12:1 (KJV)
1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Brutish basically means stupid. Part of the meaning of the Hebrew word, translated brutish is - to be consumed by fire. When people refuse God’s wisdom in their lives, they will end up in the Hot Place! I don’t know about you – but I don’t want to be stupid or hot! I think that I would rather receive God’s rebuke now, than His judgement later!
Proverbs 13:18 (NKJ)
18Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Proverbs 15:5-6 (NKJ)
A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
Proverbs 15:31-32 (NKJ)
31The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. 32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Poverty, shame and trouble are the punishment of fools, who will not receive God’s instruction or the wise instruction and correction of their parents. Honor, wisdom, understanding and treasure are the reward of those who hear and obey God’s correction and instruction.
Proverbs 29:15 (NKJ)
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
When we were children, our parent’s discipline and the spankings they administered controlled our flesh and carnal nature. As we grow up, we must allow the word of God to minister to us and thereby deal with the sin and foolishness in our carnal nature. We grow in wisdom as we allow the word to discipline and correct us.
Proverbs 17:10 (NKJ)
10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.
It is a wise man or woman who will have a humble, teachable spirit and who will allow God’s word to reprove, correct and instruct them – even if it is painful to the flesh. A fool will not heed or obey God’s word. Not even a beating can straighten out a fool. Be a wise man/woman and receive God’s word as discipline and correction and instruction in your life and you will always be blessed in every area of your life.
Hebrews 12:11 (NKJ)
11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the