Proverbs 15:12, A Spiritual Barometer!
September 19, Proverbs 15:12
Mark 6:16-20; Gal. 2:11-14 “Oh! for a conscience void of offence.”
A Spiritual Barometer!
Handling criticism well is never easy, for most of us at any rate. A scorner considers any criticism of him or his work to be beneath contempt; he scorns it! This springs from a consciousness or belief in his own superiority or ability. Scorn for the evil or ignoble, should be the attitude of every true child of God, but the scorner disdains the reproof of a holy and merciful God. As we saw in our last study, the admonition to receive reproof rings out again and again. The reason for this repetition should be obvious. Our stubborn, proud, self-righteous, sinful hearts resist, resent, and more often reject criticism, even when it is kindly meant.
1. The Criticism: Of all people, the scorner deserves reproof for his self-ignorance. To think of himself as above the reproof of God, is ignorance supreme! This is inexcusable and deserves rebuke. He is to be censured also for his self-righteousness. He not only rejects the Wisdom of Heaven, but ventures to correct that Wisdom. So it was with the Pharisees and rulers who derided Jesus (Luke 16:14; 23:35). The root meaning of derided is to contract the nose! Thus religious leaders showed their contempt by blowing or turning up their noses at Jesus! How we handle criticism is a good spiritual barometer.
2. The Criticised: The scorner has received a wound in that delicate area of his self-love. Such reproofs are not easily taken or healed. He has been praising himself for so long that he cannot bear being brought down to his true measure. Was this not the experience of all the faithful prophets God sent to “stiff-necked” Israel? Amos sums it up, They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. A truly spiritual person, through grace, should go to his critic and humbly ask that the criticism continue until the error is corrected! Unlike the fool, he will go to the wise for more such advice or reproof. “The best eyes look inwards as well as upwards.”
3. The Criticiser: The unpleasant truth about ourselves is not easily swallowed. This friend who tells us the truth is too often considered to be an enemy! So he loveth not his corrector, yea, he hates him or her! He will not go unto the wise, and, therefore, a fool he will remain! The wise cannot tolerate such folly, so the scorner avoids, if possible, all correction. Such scorners will not read anything that might challenge them. They won’t attend a ministry that exposes their sin to God’s rebuke. Is not this the reason why multitudes are flocking to places where there will be only positive preaching, and where there is no dealing with their sin? Did David call one of his sons Nathan out of respect for the man who showed him his sin? Truly, the one who turns your eyes within to see your own corruption is your truest friend, and is not Jesus Christ such a Friend? “The bitterest cup with Christ is better than the sweetest cup without Him” (Ian MacPherson).
Thought: “Be as much troubled by unjust praise as by unjust slander” (Philip Henry).
Prayer: Lord, keep me always sensitive to Thy reproof.