PROVERBS 10
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.– Proverbs 10:13-18
PROVERBS 10 ON HEEDING INSTRUCTION & REJECTING REPROOF
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
There is a wise man whose lips has understanding and wisdom
But the mouth of a foolish person brings chaos and ruin
Those who have wisdom follow the Lord’s instructions
But those who are wicked reject any form of correction
Whoever heeds instruction is on their way to life
But he who does not listen to reproof leads others to lies.
Solomon continues to give us wise advice for our lives in these following verses. He describes the contrast between the wise and the fools once again. I’d like to focus on the heeding and rejecting instruction here. Since God himself gave us a navigation tool to life in his laws and commandments, it is beneficial for us to follow them instead of rejecting them. Solomon lays down the consequences of heeding instructions against defying them.
In verse 17, he clearly gives us a picture of what happens to us if we choose not to obey God’s laws. It leads us to deception and lies. In the book of James chapter 3, he describes the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. When we don’t heed God’s word, we become deceived and will surely lead others astray.
REFLECTION
- What do you think of Christians who reject God’s laws?
