of verses like this one, I struggled and debated at first as to HOW to
approach the book of Proverbs.
- Should I
teach it topically, and lump together those passages which
deal with various reoccurring subjects
of verses like this one, I struggled and debated at first as to HOW to
approach the book of Proverbs.
- Should I
teach it topically, and lump together those passages which
deal with various reoccurring subjects… such as work/laziness; the
tongue; choosing friends; the use of money; immorality vs. purity… reaping
what you sow; or this topic: correction and reproof.
- Should I
teach it verse by verse? But if I do, then we are going to
come across certain themes (like this one) over and over again. It might
be too repetitious and thus become monotonous…
how often this theme is repeated:
- 15:10; 15:5;
- 1:30; 5:12;
10:17; 12:1; 13:1
believe the Lord led me to teach His Word exactly in the order and with
the same frequency of repetition as HE put in it… by the inspiration of
- And if
certain themes are repeated often… and if it seems a bit repetitious at
times – you take that up with the Author. I’m just the messenger boy.
- There is good
reason for repetition.
- It is
the very best aid to memory and learning device.
- It helps
drill truth in deeper so that it sticks.
forget and need reminding.
sometimes begin to drift in the wrong direction and need to be wooed
sometimes disobey and need rebuking…
- And an
area that may not have been a problem when you heard it preached six
months ago MAY be a problem in your life today!
- Or maybe
the Lord knows that you will be tempted tomorrow and need a FRESH
- God has
His reasons for repetition.
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way:
was a keen observer of human nature.
- He was a
people watcher and noticed that NOBODY likes to be corrected.
- It is
human nature to assume that our ways are right and thus we don’t need to
is grievous because it highlights something that is WRONG with self… and
is always damaging to our so called “self image.”
casts us in a bad light.
places us BENEATH the one correcting us.
involves accepting the fact that they’re right and I’m wrong!
always hurts… doesn’t it?
- It is
grievous experience for many reasons… most of which are based in PRIDE.
- Students don’t like to be corrected in
class because they feel foolish… embarrassed…
i. Everyone is looking at them… they
feel “stupid” for doing the math wrong…
ii. However, they SHOULD be pleased that
something wrong is being righted!
iii. It is far better to have it
corrected in class… than with a red pen on your final exam!
iv. If you’re doing the problems wrong,
the most helpful thing a teacher or a fellow student can do is correct you!
- Workers don’t like to be corrected in
the workplace for similar reasons.
i. They feel embarrassed if their
coworkers find out that they were doing something wrong.
ii. It makes them look bad.
iii. Or perhaps, they still THINK that
their way is right… and who does my boss think he is?
iv. Workers also don’t like to be
corrected because it might mean doing the work over again… correcting all the
mistakes… fixing the errors…
v. Lazy, mediocre workers do not like
to be corrected.
don’t like to be corrected.
i. It hurts their pride… they feel that
they are being treated like a little child…
ii. Sometimes, because of a lack of
experience, they don’t see the error of their way and resent being told that
they might be wrong.
iii. Sometimes it is just pure sin - they
want to do it their way and don’t want anyone telling them anything different!
iv. They hate the authority which the
- As Christians
we don’t like being corrected.
i. Once again, the reasons are similar.
ii. We don’t like to have our sin or
failure to be highlighted.
iii. We don’t want to admit that we are
wrong and someone else is right. Pride!
iv. We sometimes allow our hearts to
become hardened and we don’t WANT to bend… to yield… or to submit to God’s
v. II Tim.2:16-17 – the Scriptures are profitable for
Refusing to be
reproved – when the reproof is based upon the Scriptures, is refusing to
submit to God Himself!
We often take it
out on the person who reproves (parent; teacher; boss; elder; pastor; brother…
In reality our problem
is with God.
It is a spiritual
problem; an issue of the heart;
out an infection in our heart… and it HURTS to touch a sore, infected
When we are
infected, it is precisely that infected spot that NEEDS identifying and
cleans