Proverbs 15:5 (KJV)
A fool despiseth his
father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 15:9-12 (KJV)
The way of the wicked is
an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness.
Correction is grievous
unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Hell and destruction are
before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
A scorner loveth not one
that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
I want to preach on what might be the cornerstone, the most important lesson, anyone can learn if they wish to be successful in life.
I think the lesson of
this message applies equally to the unsaved person as it does the
Christian.
I think this lesson
applies to:
· Financial success,
· Family success,
· Social success,
· Emotional success and
· Spiritual success
Name any aspect of life
that matters and this one principle will determine whether you do it well or fail.
That principle is “to regard reproof.”
In other words, to accept,
listen to, and learn from discipline and correction.
I. IT IS AN
ISSUE OF THE HEART
Proverbs 15:10 (KJV)
Correction is grievous
unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Jesus said, Mark 7:21-23 (KJV)
For from within, out of
the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
All these evil things
come from within, and defile the man.
The heart is so
important that we need to carefully guard it
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
And you do that with the
eye.
Lamentations 3:51 (KJV)
Mine eye affecteth mine
heart because of all the daughters of my city.
Its what you see
· What you watch
· What you look at and
· What you lust over
That’s what determines
the sort of heart you have.
Matthew 12:35 (KJV)
A good man out of the
good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of
the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
If you despise
instruction and refuse reproof,
II. IT WILL AFFECT
THE SPIRIT
Proverbs 15:12 (KJV)
A scorner loveth not one
that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Notice some to the
progression in the passage
It is grievous (vs 10)
· They despise it (vs 5)
· They hate (vs 10)
And finally, they become
scorners. (vs 12)
Their attitude creates
their character.
Their attitude was grievous –
The attitude resulted in
actions: Despising instruction and
hating
reproof
The actions produced the character they became known
by – a scorner.
What does the Bible say
about the scorner?
Psalms 1:1 (KJV)
Blessed is the man that
walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
This passage makes it
look like there is a progression:
· Walk with ungodly
· Stand with sinners
· Sit with scornful
· First you walk where they walk
· Next you stand with them in fellowship
· Finally you join up with them
My point is,
· Worse than ungodly is sinner and
· Worse than sinner is scornful
And it all starts with
not learning from correction!
Point three,
III. IT WILL
RESULT IN FOOLISHNESS
Proverbs 15:5 (KJV)
A fool despiseth his
father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 15:12 (KJV)
A scorner loveth not one
that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Because:
· He doesn’t want to be corrected
· He despises instruction so
· He will not learn from someone who is wise
It is a recipe for
disaster!
This spirit will lead a
person to be
· Rebellious as a child
· Illiterate in school
· Unable to hold a job
· At odds with authorities and
· Ill suited for a family
Barring a miracle and
the mercy of God, this is going to be a miserable person!
Finally
IV. IT HAS
ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES
Proverbs 15:11 (KJV)
Hell and destruction are
before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
We say there are five
authorities every individual must learn to submit to:
· Parents
· Teachers
· Employers
· Government and
· God
Here’s the thing – the
person who despises their parents instruction ultimately will find themselves
at odds with God.
The heart of the enmity
between fallen man and God is one of authority.
That’s what God is.
He is authority.
He is the standard.
God does not have to
prove Himself, explain Himself or justify Himself.
What is, is because God
says it is.
· If God says it is right, it is right
· If God says it is wrong, it is wrong
This was the exact thing
that the serpent offered Eve -
“You disobey God and eat this fruit He told you not to eat and you will
become as gods, knowing good and evil.”
If a child does not
learn to respect his parents and to learn from their instruction they will not
only be at odds with their parents[1]
but will be at enmity against God.
Conclusion
Young people
Humble yourselves
tonight and regard reproof
But let me turn to you parents and say -
The most important thing
a parent teaches his or her children, very early, is:
· To look at you when you speak
· To listen to what you say and
· To obey what you tell them
To regard reproof is the
cornerstone for every sort of success one will have in life.
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