The Preciousness Of Correction
Foundation: The enemy has worked to get us to think wrong about correction so that
we miss out on all the benefits that come from receiving it. Your perspective
determines your response and therefore if you see correction wrong, then you’ll
respond to it wrong when it comes.
Do you see correction like God sees correction?
I.
The value and
preciousness of correction
A. Proverbs 25:12-When you
receive correction it’s like gold; Is that how you
feel when you get corrected? Like someone gave you a nice piece of jewelry
1.
CEB-Wise correction to an
ear that listens is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold; GNT-A warning given by an experienced
person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or
jewelry made of the finest gold; HCSB-A
wise correction to a receptive hear is like a gold ring or an ornament
of gold; TLB-It’s a badge of honor
to accept valid criticism; MSG-A
wise friends reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger; NLT-To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry
B. Benefits of correction
1.
It
makes you like Jesus-Hebrews 12:10-1) Partake of his holiness 2) It yields the
fruit of righteousness 3) It profits us
2.
It’s
how you miss destruction-Proverbs 29:1-He
that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall be suddenly destroyed, and
that without remedy
3.
It
gives you wisdom-Proverbs 29:15-The rod
and reproof give wisdom
4.
It
gives you understanding-Proverbs 15:32-He
that hears reproof gets understanding
5.
If
correction gives you wisdom and understanding then correction gives you these
things:
a. Prov3:13-Happy is the man
that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. 14 For the merchandise
of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof
than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou
canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in
her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are
ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree
of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that
retains her.
b. Prov8:14-Counsel is mine, and
sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 18 Riches and
honor are with me; yea, durable riches and
righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my
revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in
the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit
substance; and I will fill their treasures.
c. Prov16:22-Understanding is a well
spring of life
6.
God
will pour his spirit upon you and give you revelation-Proverbs 1:23-Turn you at my reproof: behold I will put out my spirit
unto you and make known my words unto you
7.
God
will honor you-Proverbs 13:18-He that
regards reproof will be honored
8.
The
Blessing, favor, and Life-Pr8:33-Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not. Blessed
is the man who hears me. For whoso finds me finds life and shall obtain favor
of the Lord
C. Proverbs 28:23-Frankness
or flattery? – Most would rather hear something nice about themselves
that’s not true, than hear honest reproof because they don’t know the
preciousness of correction
1.
KJ-He that rebukes a man
afterwards shall find more favor then he that flatters with the tongue; CEB-Those who correct someone will, in
the end, find more favor than those with flattering tongues; CEV-Honest correction is appreciated
more than flattery; ERV-Correct
someone and later they’ll thank you. That is much better than just saying
something to be nice; GNT-Correct
someone and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery; ICB-Those who correct others will later
be liked more than those who give false praise; MSG-In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than
bootlicking flattery; TLB-In the end
people appreciate frankness more than flattery; NLT-In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than
flattery
II. Fools don’t like correction
A. Proverbs 12:1-Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge: but he
that hates reproof is brutish-If you hate correction you’re stupid
1.
The
person that loves growing (knowledge-skill) loves correction
a. Instruction-Correction; Knowledge-Skill,
wisdom; Reproof-Correction; Brutish-Foolish, stupid, dull-hearted,
unreceptive
2.
ERV-Whoever hates to be
corrected is stupid; GW-Whoever
hates correction is a dumb animal; GNT-Any
who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate
being corrected; CEV-To accept
correction is wise, to reject it is stupid; MSG-How shortsighted to refuse correction; VOICE-Fools hate any kind of
correction; NLV-Whoever loves strong
teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish
3.
Proverbs 1:7-The fear of
the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and
instruction
(Instruction-Discipline, correction)
4.
Proverbs 8:33-Hear
instruction and be wise, and refuse it not – It’s wise to hear instruction
(correction) and receive it
B. Proverbs 9:8-Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke
(correct) a wise man and he will love you – A wise person loves
correction
1.
AMP-Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no
responsibility for his error] or he will hate you; GNT-Never correct conceited people; they will hate you for it. But
if you correct the wise, they will respect you; NABRE-Don’t reprove the arrogant, lest they hate you; MSG-If you correct those who care about
life, that’s different – they’ll love you for it
C. Proverbs 15:31-32-When
you refuse correction you oppose yourself
1.
CEV-You hurt only yourself
by rejecting instruction; ERV-If you
refuse to be corrected, you are only hurting yourself; TLB-To reject criticism is to harm yourself and your own best
interests; NLT-If you reject
discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction you grow in
understanding
D. Psalm 50:15-20-You hate
correction and want to try to speak the word and get results
III. Correction and the path of life
A. Proverbs 6:23-For the commandment is a lamp: and the law
is light; and reproofs of instruction the way of life
1.
CEV-Corrective teaching is
the path of life; TLB-To give you a
good life; NET-Rebukes of discipline
are like the road leading to life
B. Proverbs 4:13-Take fast hold of instruction; let her not
go: keep her; for she is thy life
1.
Hold-To have, take, keep
hold, retain, take strong hold of; Instruction-Correction,
chastening; Let go-Let drop,
abandon, relax, forsake; Keep-Kept
close; Life-Live prosperously
2.
Take
strong hold of correction and don’t let it go – Is that most people’s
attitude towards correction?
3.
AMP-Take hold of
instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let it go; ERV-it is the key to life; TLB-They will lead you to real living; MSG-Your life is at stake
C. Proverbs 5:21-23-He will die without instruction; and in the
greatness of his folly he shall go astray
1.
Instruction-Correction,
discipline, chastening; Folly-Foolishness;
Astray-Error
2.
CEB-Those without
instruction will die, misled by their own stupidity; ERV-Evil people will die because they refused to be disciplined; TLB-He shall die because he will not
listen to the truth; NIRV-They will
die because they refused to be corrected; NLV-He
will die for want of teaching
D. Proverbs 10:17-He is in the way of life that keeps
instruction: but he that refuses reproof errors
1.
Refuses-Leave, forsake, depart,
let go, neglect; Reproof-Correction,
rebuke, chastisement
2.
CEV-Accept correction and
you will find life; reject correction and you will miss the road; GNT-People who listen when they are
corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are in
danger; ICB-The person who accepts
correction is on the way to life. But the person who ignores correction will be
ruined; MSG-Ignore correction and
you’re lost for good; VOICE-Those
who accept instruction are travelers on the road to a meaningful life, but
those who refuse correction wander off and pave a path to ruin
E. Proverbs 13:18-Poverty and shame shall be to him that
refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored
1.
Poverty-Lack; Shame-Disgrace, dishonor; Refuses-Avoid, ignore; Instruction-Correction; Regards-Give heed, retain, treasure up;
Reproof-Rebuke, correction,
chastisement
2.
CEV-All who refuse
correction will be poor and disgraced; MSG-Refuse
discipline and end up homeless; embrace correction and live an honored life
F. Proverbs 15:10-Correction is grievous unto him that forsake
the way: and he that hates reproof shall die
1.
Correction-Discipline, chastening,
correction; Grievous-Bad, sad,
unhappy, hurtful, displeasing; Reproof-Correction
2.
GNV-Instruction is evil to
him that forsakes the way; GW-Discipline
is a terrible burden to anyone who leaves the right path; NABRE-Discipline seems bad to those going astray