#DailyDevotion Instruction On Your Mouth And Your Ears From God

June 15

Prov 15:1–29

Pro 15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Pro 15:5  A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Pro 15:12  A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Pro 15:28  The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Pro 15:31-32  The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.  (32)  Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

 

There are several themes in this chapter. One theme here is the giving and receiving of instruction, correction or reproof. Concerning giving instruction, correction, and reproof we are advised to give a soft answer. How may we correct someone in a manner which doesn’t make the other person angry? Of course, depending on the person receiving it, they may take it wrong anyway. But we are called to do our part. We should ponder how to answer someone who is wrong in their words or deeds. Are we speaking from a right motive, i.e. the love and improvement of our neighbor or are we being self-righteous? Are we speaking in a manner that is pleasing or does our very voice stir up wrath in the person listening?

 

Now there two types of people who receive what we have to say. There is the scoffer. He does not like to be reproved. He will likely throw back at you the things you bring against him. He will despise your instruction. Why he won’t even listen to his father’s words much less yours. You may decide it’s better to let them go their own way than to get involved. Such a person despises himself. It not that they like the way they are. They do not like themselves this way but they hate themselves so much they will not seek improvement or go to someone wise to get better. It just seems easier this way.

 

But there is the person who heeds reproof. Such a one is prudent. He recognizes he can use improvement and loves himself enough to seek out those who can help him to get better. He will seek out those who are wise, those who have experienced what he himself is going through and found a better way. Such a person will dwell among those who have learned from experience or better yet, learned from those listened to those who have learned from the experienced and put into practice without having to fail. But such people are rare.

 

We are called to fear the Lord to live in wisdom. This is a call to trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. To believe he has conquered sin, death and the devil and then to live out that faith in our lives will enable us to live in this wisdom for that is how he has treated us.

 

Heavenly Father, grant us proper fear of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be reproved to eternal life and be given a mouth that speaks as you would have us to speak to those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.