Proverbs 13:18 Commentary and Bible Study

How do we take correction? Too often we regard it as an unwelcome and even unreasonable intrusion into our private affairs. We pick and choose who we are prepared to receive instruction from, because pride is at work and we will not receive reproof from one who we regard as less than us, but there should be no such favouritism in our hearts. If there is, then it is no longer God who is ministering to us but men, for if God’s truth is speaking to us then it should not matter who it comes through; we should receive correction even from our enemies. A man of faith looks beyond the human instrument and finds himself alone with God. If the Lord is speaking to us then who he chooses to send his word through is immaterial. Some will receive reproof in certain matters but not in others, for particular sins are very dear to them, and like a protective parent they will not allow anyone to touch their darling. Many, of course, will not receive correction from anyone, for they are their own lords and their own masters and they recognise no one above them, not even the Lord. How can we receive reproof unless our self-righteousness has been broken, and we have seen our condemnation before the law of God? Then we know that there is no righteousness in us and wonder that God deals with us at all. What prevents us receiving correction? Pride at having another take authority over us; stubbornness in being unwilling to change; undue attachment to our sin. Often we may justify our rejection of reproof on the grounds that there was some small fault in the corrector. Peace comes when we humble ourselves and allow another to move the furniture of our inner being. Honour comes also, for we see through the phoney honour of being above correction, and gain the honour of being sanctified by the Lord.