Proverbs 17:10 - Homiletics

The wisdom of accepting a reproof

I. IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT A REPROOF . Only the wise man will take it. Many difficulties stand in the way.

1 . It is hard to believe that the reproving counsellor is a true friend. He appears to be censorious. We think he takes a pleasure in finding fault with us. We accuse him of a Pharisaic self-satisfaction in comparing his own virtue with our fault.

2 . It is difficult to admit the application of the accusation to ourselves. David is indignant at Nathan's recital of the parable of the ewe lamb. Yet he fails to see that the moral of it comes home to himself till the prophet exclaims," Thou art the man!"

3 . It is not easy to confess our own humiliation. When we see that we are accused, pride rises up to defend us. It is possible for a large amount of pride to lodge with a great quantity of folly. Indeed, the more a person is emptied of real worth the more room is there in him for self-inflation.

4 . It is troublesome to yield to a reproof. To do so we must not merely admit our fault, but consent to mend our ways. We must allow the reproof to work actively in us if it is to be of any use. The drunkard is often ready to confess his sin, but he is not so eager to renounce the cause of it.

5 . It is distressing to bear the reproof of God. In reading the Bible people are tempted to appropriate the promises to themselves and to leave the threatenings for their brethren. It needs a divinely inspired wisdom to help us to profit by the warnings of Scripture.

II. IT IS WISE TO ACCEPT A REPROOF . Many as are the obstructions that stand in the way of our receiving and acting upon it, we should do well to conquer them. He is but a foolish person who despises correction. The wise man may shrink from it, but he will not reject it.

1 . A true reproof is justly due. We have earned it by our own fault. It is foolish to kick against the consequences of our own conduct.

2 . A reproof is a wholesome corrective. It is not a judge's sentence, but a friend's counsel, Its object is not condemnation, but salvation.

3 . A reproof is a mild substitute for harder treatment. While we foolishly rail at its harshness, we should be thankful for the lenity of the most stern well deserved reproof. It might have been dispensed with, and we might have received condign punishment. The reproof is not so hard to bear as the "hundred stripes" that may follow if it is disregarded. It is wise to close with the earlier counsel.

4 . A reproof is an element of Divine grace. Christ sends the Comforter to convict the world of sin as well as of righteousness and judgment ( John 16:8 ). It is to our own cost that we receive this gracious Guest with resentful discourtesy. But, on the other hand, we plainly need Divine grace to accept a reproof in a meek and humble spirit. The wisdom to receive a reproof well is so difficult to attain that we need to seek it as an inspiration from God.