Sunday, May 23, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 9:7-12, we learned about the importance of being open to positive criticism. No one likes to have his or her faults detailed by someone else, but all of us can benefit when we allow ourselves to be exposed to such occasional instruction. Positive criticism can help us be wiser and better people. It can also keep us from making serious mistakes with our life. Solomon wrote that we profit much from the positive, constructive criticisms of others, but he also warned that reproving someone who has a bad attitude could lead to individual shame. He warned that rebuking a wicked person does not accomplish much either. Reprove and rebuke come from the same Hebrew word that means to correct. The word "scorner" comes from the Hebrew word that means to mock, deride, boast, or talk arrogantly, and the expression "wicked person" comes from the Hebrew word that means guilty of a crime or guilty of sin. Solomon wrote that these types of people usually reject positive criticism. Many times, those caught in a particular sin are simply unwilling to bend. They do not want to depart from the seasonal pleasures of their behavior. Proverbs 15:12 says, "A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise." Solomon wrote that sinners are often not willing to accept the thoughtful criticism of others, so they must simply be allowed to continue on in their unhealthy ways. Because there is no stopping them, we will probably only bring grief to ourselves if we try. Sometimes, praying is all we can do.
According to Solomon, a scornful, wicked person will often hate the person who tries to offer positive criticism. Conversely, the wise person will readily accept the criticism of others and usually be very grateful. Proverbs 13:1 says, "A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke." In Proverbs 9:8, he even used the word "love" to show the extent to which the criticized person will be grateful. One of the keys to becoming wiser is to be open to instruction and the well-meaning, positive criticism of others. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Wisdom begins with a fear of the Lord, and this kind of wisdom leads to a long life, probably because many of the riskier lifestyle behaviors are eliminated from the person's life. Psalms 19:9 says, "The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether." When we try to make ourselves wiser, we benefit ourselves. When we refuse wisdom and take on the characteristics of a scornful individual, we hurt ourselves. Proverbs 14:6 says, "A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth."
As Christians, we should always try to be open to the well-meaning, constructive criticisms of others. But as Christians, we should also be kind, compassionate, and understanding when we attempt to offer our constructive comments to others. As you go through the coming week, examine your own heart and life and try to be the person that the Lord would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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