Prov
15:32 (ESV) Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to
reproof gains intelligence.
NOTE: As a culture,
and maybe it is a little more than that--as fallen human beings--we rebel
against reproof. We don't want to be told that what we are doing is wrong. Some
of the reason is pride and arrogance. I think another reason is that we don't
appreciate the value of correction. Or we think we are capable of correcting
ourselves in time. And even more importantly, we don't realize that we have
blind spots, things that are known by others but are unknown by ourselves. Our
blind spots are worsened when people don't correct us, because we assume our
actions are correct since no one says otherwise, and so our blind pots become
hardened in us. We day, "they (the blind spots) are just who we are, and
not something that needs correction." Which is why it is so important to
listen to reproof and to tough love, so that the blind spots do not become
hardened within us. But that requires a special friend who is willing to say
hard things without worry of losing our love or friendship. For most people,
the closest thing we have to that friendship is family. But there is one more
approach to gaining reproof and understanding to blind spots, and that is to
ask God. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and
know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in
the way everlasting! (Ps 139:23-24, ESV)" Lord, I do pray, open my eyes to
my faults and hidden sins.
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