Each of us was born with a stubborn, proud, rebellious nature. We like to have our own way. Correction and reproof (i.e., when someone rebukes you for doing wrong) are not enjoyable. But the truth is it is the best thing for us. Listen to what God says about it in (Hebrews 12:11) “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Generally, the older a person gets the easier he can see that demanding what he wants and having things his way is not always good. However, some adults are slow learners in this area.

Sadly, many parents today have adopted the secular philosophy that children ought to be corralled rather than corrected. They choose to tether rather than to train. They opt to bribe rather than to discipline.

Is our world a safer and more peaceful place to live since this secular philosophy has taken over? Is the Bible outdated? Are God’s ways out of touch with reality? No! The truth is God has always been right. We need correction and reproof. This is a vital part of Biblical Communication.

Transition

This evening I want to show you what God has said about correction and reproof in the book of Proverbs.

Correction is Good for Us

  1. It is loving
    1. (Proverbs 3:11) “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:”
    2. (Proverbs 3:12) “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
    3. (Proverbs 13:24) “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
    4. (Proverbs 27:6) “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
  2. It gives us light for life’s path
    1. (Proverbs 6:23) “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”
  3. It is of great value
    1. (Proverbs 25:12) “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

Correction is Needful

  1. It gives understanding
    1. (Proverbs 10:13) “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.”
  2. Scorners and fools especially need correction
    1. (Proverbs 19:29) “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.”
    2. (Proverbs 26:3) “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.”
    3. (Proverbs 27:5) “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
  3. Correction cleans our character
    1. (Proverbs 20:30) “The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.”

Correction Rejected

  1. Rebelling against correction is wrong
    1. (Proverbs 10:17) “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.”
    2. (Proverbs 12:1) “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
    3. (Proverbs 29:19) “A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.”
  2. Rebellion reveals scorners (mocking fools)
    1. (Proverbs 13:1) “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
    2. (Proverbs 15:12) “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”
  3. Rejecting correction is foolish
    1. (Proverbs 15:5) “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
    2. (Proverbs 17:10) “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.”
  4. Rebellion will lead to disaster
    1. (Proverbs 13:18) “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
    2. (Proverbs 15:10) “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”
    3. (Proverbs 29:1) “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
  5. It can be hard on the one correcting
    1. (Proverbs 9:7) “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.”
    2. (Proverbs 9:8) “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”

Blessings of Correction

  1. Correction obeyed will give wisdom
    1. (Proverbs 15:31) “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.”
    2. (Proverbs 15:32) “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
    3. (Proverbs 19:25) “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”
    4. (Proverbs 21:11) “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.”
  2. It makes life more peaceful and happy
    1. (Proverbs 24:24) “He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:”
    2. (Proverbs 24:25) “But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.”
  3. Those who listen to correction will be grateful
    1. (Proverbs 5:7) “Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.”
    2. (Proverbs 5:8) “Remove thy way far from her [the strange woman], and come not nigh the door of her house:”
    3. (Proverbs 5:9) “Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:”
    4. (Proverbs 5:10) “Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;”
    5. (Proverbs 5:11) “And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,”
    6. (Proverbs 5:12) “And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;”
    7. (Proverbs 5:13) “And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!”
    8. (Proverbs 28:23) “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.”

Conclusion

Tonight’s message addresses two areas in our lives. First, it addresses our need of correction when we get out of line with God’s Word. Whether the correction comes from a sermon, your Bible reading, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, your parent, your spouse, or a caring friend, correction is good for you. It is needful. You will get hurt if you rebel against it. It will be a blessing to you if you obey it.

Second, it addresses our need to biblically correct and reprove those who get out of line with God’s Word. No parent enjoys correction times. No pastor enjoys it either. No friend looks forward to reproving a loved one. Correcting one who is doing wrong is not enjoyable, but it is the loving, needful, and biblical thing to do. (Galatians 6:1) “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Our job is to be spiritual and help to restore those who fall into sin.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Communication: Correction & Reproof
2 July 2017 PM – Proverbs 3:11-12 – Comm17 – Scott Childs