“Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.”

Proverbs 12:1 AMP

Proverbs 11 opens with an unusual statement, “whoever loves instruction and discipline.” There is one Hebrew word here for instruction and discipline. The word means to “suffer punishment for acting outside of known truth.” It is used in a legal sense also meaning to “receive a judicial penalty based on violating a standard.” It is often used to refer to the violation of moral standards. Remember we saw in Proverbs 1,

“The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, 3To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity; 4That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth, 5The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to stee his course wisely and lead others to the truth],

Proverbs 1:1-5 AMP

Paul wrote to the church at Rome the following words,

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. 

Romans 12:1-2 AMP

Look at what the Apostle describes as transformation, a transformed, progressively changed and spiritually maturing mind focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes! Our enemy the devil is waging a war for the minds of the youth. He is brining discerption and confusion in order to cloud the vision and expectations of God in their lives. The battle for this generation begins in the mind. That really should not surprise us. Satan confused Eve with twisting the truth of God into a lie. Remember that he said to Eve, “Hath not God said?” It was downhill from that point on. Of course, God said that could eat from any tree. Satan however left out the important part, “not that one!” So it is today with the gender dysphoria movement sweeping the globe today. It is true that God commands us to love. He however gives us the confines of in it should take place. The warnings given in Romans chapter 1 are not there because God hates people. They area there as a warning of the results that would take place if immoral sexual practices were conducted! That is a motivation from love, not hate! 

Who among you would not immediately intervene if your child was reaching a pot of boiling water? Who among you would not stop your child from sticking a knife in an electrical socket? No one likes discipline but understanding our sin nature can lead to destruction, we must daily take control and purposefully walk in God’s ways! The Apostle Paul knew this all too well when he wrote,

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! 25Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a [h]crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither]. 26Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. 27But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].” 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 AMP

The choice is yours today! Which reward do you want to receive in your life today! Have a blessed day renewing your mind in the Word of God and allowing it to conform you to the image of Christ! Pastor Ken