Jesus – Attitude to Instruction

Dearly Beloved. I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. Beloved, what is your attitude towards instruction? Are you open to it? Are you closed towards it or resentful when corrected? Paul writes in Philippians 2v12 (NLT) that “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important....” Through scripture, we find God telling us how important it is to follow counsel and guidance. Proverbs 1v5 (KJV) says “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” while Proverbs 11v14 (KJV) says “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Similarly Proverbs 24v6 (KJV) says “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

 

We see here that wise instruction, counsel, guidance, advise are all important. One reason is that we sometimes think we know the right thing to do or the right way to act, but we don’t. Proverbs 14v12 (KJV) says “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” It is therefore important to seek wise and godly counsel before proceeding. Proverbs 15v22 (KJV) equally says “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” A word of caution is also given to the person who refuses to accept reprove and correction in Proverbs 29v1 (TLB) which says “The man who is often reproved but refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken and never have another chance.”

 

Prayer

Father, we thank You so much for this day, and for Your goodness. We thank You because You proffer instruction to us and use others to give us wise counsel. Grant us the grace to recognize these as avenues for success, to sift through that which is wise and of You, and to be accepting of it and not stubborn in Jesus name, amen.