Receiving Admonition
Do you value friends who care enough to reprove you!

As a Pastor, there are times when I need to counsel someone and admonish them that their behavior or sin is not what God would want for them. Sometimes they come into my office desiring information or just to talk to someone regarding an issue that they are facing or dealing with. Taking the Bible, I would sit down with them and share the wisdom that God has in His Word; hoping to give them hope, direction and encouragement in the situation.

In my heart I know that God’s way is the best way.  It may not be the easiest way, but it is the best way; because our heavenly Father is an all-knowing and all-powerful God. He loves them and desires the very best for His children.

Unfortunately, some people just like to get advice and never heed any of that advice.  They then make a decision to do their "own thing" and never acquire the wisdom that God so much wants them to obtain. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to mature without receiving admonition!  Our “Fight Club Men” have been reading the Book of Proverbs every day of their 12 week commitment to discipleship. As I have been reading Proverbs, these verses jumped off the pages as to the value of giving and receiving admonishment. Solomon makes this point over and over to those who want to be wise and spiritually successful. If you are a person who struggles with being admonished spiritually, check out these verses and meditate on them: 

Proverbs 9:8 - “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”
Proverbs 10:17 – “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”
Proverbs 12:1 – “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
Proverbs 13:18 – “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.”
Proverbs 15:5 – “A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.”
Proverbs 15:32 – “Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.”
Proverbs 17:10 – “A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.”
Proverbs 24:24, 25 - “Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,and rich blessing will come on them.”
Proverbs 27:5 – “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs 29:1 – “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 – “It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.

How did you treat the last person that reproved you? 

Do you think they will want to help you again with a reproof?

Have you ever thanked someone for admonishing you?

Just a thought…not a sermon!

Blessings for today!
Dave Knight