“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1.
Growing up, my parents never allowed me to call my brothers, or anyone else stupid. I have three grown kids of my own now, and when they were younger, I would never allow them to call each other stupid either. I still believe we must be careful with our words. However, we must call it like it is, right? Did you know Jeremiah 4:22 records God calling His children stupid?
Most of us have heard the phrase, “Stupid is as Stupid does.” It means that an intelligent person who does stupid things is still stupid. In other words, you are what you do.
The writer of this Proverb is contrasting the righteous or wise with the wicked or the foolish/stupid. As Children of God, we must learn to walk in godly wisdom. Today, let’s look at this Proverb and examine our walk against that of the Word of God, praying and repenting of those stupid things we may be doing.
Proverbs 12:1 and Hebrews 12:5 teach, “For those whom the LORD loves He disciplines.” When you and I are being disciplined by the Lord, at the moment, it is anything but joyful, it is sorrowful. Afterward, however, there is joy! How can there be joy in discipline? Because we know the Lord disciplines those He loves. God’s discipline is working in us wisdom and understanding. When complete it yields a peaceful fruit of righteousness. The righteous love reproof and accept the Lord’s correction.
Proverbs 12:2-12: The righteous meditate on God’s word day and night. They seek knowledge of God’s word and use it to establish their thoughts, words, and actions. The righteous show compassion and mercy to their neighbor and all God’s creatures.
Not so with the wicked. They rely on their own understanding, by their own lusts they’re carried away and overthrown. The righteous stand in the knowledge and understanding of the Lord.
Proverbs 12:13-23: The righteous know lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. They love the truth and without hesitation speak good words and sound doctrine. They escape trouble by not giving the tongue freedom to speak lies. Healing words are on their lips. Though their words of grace and love may cut, they’re meant to heal and restore those to whom they speak.
Proverbs 12:24-28: The righteous press on in diligence, discipline, and endurance, looking out not only for their own interests but the interests of others. Anxiety is far from the righteous man. He trusts God with everything. When his heart and flesh may fail, he seeks God through prayer, with thanksgiving, making his requests known to God. He knows God is faithful and will carry him through.
‘The way of the righteous is life, and in its pathway, there is no death.” Proverbs 12:28.
The righteous man is not a perfect man. The blood of Christ covers him. He will live forever in the presence and watch care of His Heavenly Father. I am thankful God calls things as they are. In His word is truth and wisdom. Let’s take the truths of these Proverbs and walk in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
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