ACCEPT REPROOF

"A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent." (Proverbs 15:5).

In life, experience has taught me that it's much cheaper and easier to learn good lessons and wisdom from the mistakes of others, than waiting to learn it from your own mistakes. The later is much costlier and not advisable at all. And this is the case witth a fool in this context who will not accept instruction, especially from his father. He sees himself to be a Mr. "know it all" who has to make every mistake for himself instead of learning from others' mistakes. And to all of us, I say, a person who takes moral or spiritual instructions well will be saved from avoidable pains and sufferings in the journey of this life. Because he learns from others' mistakes and doesn't have to pay from his own bitter experiences. Be warned!

Brethren, the Bible, especially the book of Proverbs places a high premium on people who are willing to see their errors and admit them. This type of people are wise because they want to learn both from their own and others' mistakes. When they're challenged, correction becomes their faithful friends and necessary means to improvement. But when fools are rebuked, the respond with anger and hatred due to their overinflated egos. This kind of people don't listen when told they've erred or gone the wrong way, until they fall off the precipice of self-destruct. As sons and daughters of our Father in heaven, we need to follow the path of godly wisdom by giving heed to words of reproof. To be truly wise, we must always remember that oftentimes we too have played the fool. D. De Haan observed, "When criticism comes your way, consider its intent; It may be that some truth from God to you is being sent." Therefore, the next time you're being reproved, kindly take it in good faith; because the person who refuses to hear criticism has no chance to learn from it. "The one who refuses correction despises himself, but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding." (Prov. 15:32). Shalom!