Anyone can be wise. The personified Lady Wisdom calls to all who will listen and answer her invitation.
“Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;” Proverbs 1:20
It is often easier to see wisdom when looking back at choices we have made and the circumstances which arose from those choices; choices that were sometimes our response to things that were happening around us which were out of our control. (like living in a pandemic)!
Sometimes life is bringing correction; what we do with the correction we receive will go a long way in determining whether we will be among the wise. (Proverbs 15:31)
“Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.”
We have a saying where I am from which says, “Live and learn.” One person added, “Some people just live.” Most of us don’t like to be corrected; the more life experience we have we like it even less. However, like it or not, corrections are coming. How we receive them will determine whether or not we are living and learning or just living!
Here are a few helpful things to remember about correction which will keep us among the wise:
- Some corrections can be sudden. When a “secret sin” suddenly becomes “public knowledge, correction can begin immediately (Proverbs 5:12; see also Proverbs 6:23)
- Receiving correction can save your life. (Proverbs 15:10)
“Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.”
- Another way to say, “be willing to receive correction” is to be teachable. Remain teachable with matching humility all of your life! This will not only bring a blessing to you but to those who know you. (Proverbs 10:17)
“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”
- “If you think you are above correction, you are not worth it!” – Derek Kidner
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1
Everyone wants to think they are teachable until they are corrected! The humility to receive correction is life-giving because the “Corrector” is the Author of life. We must not forget that the wisdom which is woven through the universe is a thread that leads us back to Him
May it be well with you in Jesus’ name,
Pastor Dale
