“A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit Than a hundred lashes into a fool.” Proverbs 17:10 AMP
The Scripture teaches us that there is a difference between one who desires to know the truth and one who does not. Despite every attempt of Satan to convince the world that truth is not absolute, the fact remains, truth is absolute! The unbreakable laws of nature are set in stone and will never bend to the imagination of man. In the 1960’s, man was able put the feet of mankind on the surface of the moon because of the unchangeableness of the laws of nature. The purpose of the book of Proverbs is to reveal the truth to man both in the moral and spiritual realm. Today’s verse speaks to the issue or actions in terms of moral excellence.
The word translated “reprimand” is the Hebrew word meaning to “speak a word that shows what another has done wrong, and other actions may follow to show that disapproval.” Remember Proverbs 13?
“A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.”
Proverbs 13:1 AMP
In a generation determined to self-destruct, we see the response of this generation when confronted with the truth. Notice that our verse tells us that a confrontation with truth “goes deeper into” a person.! You see when confronted with the truth, it elicits a response from the hearer. Either in humility and honesty one accepts that reality of the truth or in a fit of rage, anger, and militant rejection, man closes his eyes! The Hebrew word used here to describe the effect of hearing the truth is a military term meaning “to attack, penetrate, or press down upon.” It was used to describe the attack designed to “soften” the enemy before the main assault! WOW! That is a great description of the effects of the Word of God as it brings us face-to-face with the reality of our sin. Look at what the Psalmist wrote,
“You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.”
Psalms 65:10 NLT
Can you see it? The Word of God softens the hardness of our hearts so that the seed of it can be planted and bring forth good fruit for the Kingdom! The question is, “will you let the rain of God’s truth soften the hardened heart of sin?” It means having a teachable spirit and a contrite heart! There is a great verse in the book of 2 Chronicles,
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you will have wars.” 2
Chronicles 16:9 AMP
One the one hand, if you are desiring to know the truth and walk in it, God is looking for you! If not, you will continually be at war with the truth. We see this played out every day as the world falls head-long into the fires of hell! R verse we are told that there is no natural solution to the folly of the sinner. The only hope for restoration is heart surgery from the Father through the Son! As I see this generation bowing at the altar of self-deception, I am reminded of a verse describing the last days.
“For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way. 8Then the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of His coming. 9The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of counterfeit miracles] and [deceptive] signs and false wonders [all of them lies], 10and by unlimited seduction to evil and with all the deception of wickedness for those who are perishing, because they did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them]. 11Because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence, [an activity of error and deception] so they will believe the lie, 12in order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe the truth [about their sin, and the need for salvation through Christ], but instead took pleasure in unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 AMP
Let us intercede for this generation that the Word of God will bring forth revelation and repentance to a lost and perishing youth. Satna’s plan is to lie, kill, and destroy. We see it playing out on our streets and in our schools. It is our responsibility to plant the flag of love and cry out, “Enough! In Jesus we claim back that which has been stolen from this generation!” Will you be the one to say, “Here I am Lord, use me?” Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken