Proverbs 15:31-32 KJV “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

Have you ever closed your ears when someone is trying to tell you how to do something?  Recently, my grandson and I were talking and he didn’t agree with what I was saying.  He proceeded to close his ears and hum so that he would not hear what I had to say.  Unfortunately, we as adults do the exact same thing when we do not listen to someone else’s point of view.  I’m not saying we have to agree with their point of view, but we should at least be civil enough to listen to someone’s instruction and see if it has any value or truth.  Sometimes we need to listen and hear the reproof that would set us on a path to Biblical truths.  Yes, there are those who would try to discount the value of Biblical truths.  However, God gave the Proverbs so that all mankind can gain wisdom.

In order to gain wisdom, we must be willing to accept disapproval or a reprimand from those who would admonish us.  We must be willing to listen with an open mind and heart.  Then, we should go to the Bible and check to see if what we have been admonished about holds any Biblical truth.  In this way, we can become wise in the teachings of the Lord.  We can learn His will for our lives and we can gain encouragement in knowing His will and truth.

Once you start on the journey for wisdom, you will gain a greater love for mankind.  The problem today is that very few parents are teaching unconditional love that promotes wisdom.  More than half of the children now are being raised in dysfunctional homes where love is conditional upon favors done or given.  The other fourth is being raised by grandparents who try their best to give unconditional love and are exhausted by the demands of a world full of conditions.  Be encouraged!  The Bible is filled with passages promising us the love of Jesus and His comfort.  All we need to do is believe.  John 3:16 can be claimed by all so that our sins can be forgiven and we can gain wisdom in His grace.  That is the hope we can claim.  1Corinthians 15:56-58 tells us that power over sin has been broken and we have victory through Jesus.  We are to let nothing move us and work for the Lord because that work will not be in vain.  That is encouraging!!