Loving Discipline and Knowledge
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil. A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food. A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession. There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.”
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil. A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.” It’s been said repeatedly but remains true: God knows the human heart better than anyone else and He knows those who are disciplined and who are not. What’s so important about discipline? When we are disciplined, we are willing to submit ourselves to authority; however, when we refuse discipline, we are refusing to subject ourselves to anyone else, even though they may know far more than we do. “But,” you might say, “I am willing to listen to others if they speak to me nicely. But I deserve to be considered when someone is correcting me.” At this point, alarm bells should be ringing. If you need correction, you can’t be picky about the means by which someone issues it. Some people furnish correction diplomatically while others do not; your job is to listen, no matter how the correction is offered. Some of the most knowledgeable people may be the least diplomatic.
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.”Now there is a horrible reality television program entitled “Cheaters,” detailing various kinds of infidelity. The individuals documented suffer all kinds of embarrassing situations, certainly something that would be tantamount to decaying bones.
“A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food. A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.” Once more, wisdom and righteousness promote success. Lacking discipline, a man may have a twisted mind, being self-important, and even mistreating his animals. And anyone who will abuse animals will also abuse people.
“An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Speak prudently and wisely and save yourself. Shoot your mouth off rashly, and everybody around you will know just how foolish you really are.
“Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.” Want to have joy? Watch what you say and become a counselor of peace. We have a friend who is one of the most diplomatic people we know. This man can criticize people in such a loving fashion that they will find themselves agreeing with him. Repeatedly, our friend has defused potentially explosive situations, leaving all involved feeling good about themselves, even though they have been corrected.
APPLICATION: “There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.” If there is one lesson to draw from this chapter of Proverbs, this verse is a good summary. Discipline and subjecting oneself to others leads to righteousness and that in turn promotes life. Refuse discipline, refuse to listen to others, and you are playing dice with your future.
Verse 25 gives us a second lesson: Kind words cheer people up. If you are a counselor of peace, if you can correct people kindly and encourage them, you will help yourself as well as those whom you are advising. May God help each of us so that we can receive correction and give it in the right spirit!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to submit ourselves to discipline and to learn from it so that we can become counselors of peace and encouragers for all those around us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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