April 19 | Don’t Be Stupid

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 12:1, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”

Lesson 19 | Don’t Be Stupid

“Stupid is as stupid does,” Forest Gump. There is now way according to the Bible to avoid correction and discipline in the Christian life, Hebrews 12:5-7.  As a matter of fact the word discipline is from the word “disciple,” thus Jesus wants His disciples to receive discipline- they go hand in hand.  However, some people think that when they get corrected or disciplined in the church that the church leadership is on a power trip but every good organization must have leadership that gives discipline and the church is no different, Hebrews 13:17.

At the same, the church shouldn’t be rude, legalistic, or a micro manager.  The balance of Biblical leadership and their use of the Word of God with God’s people is given in 2 Timothy 4:2 where Paul wrote, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction.”  The church should consider its preaching and teaching to be 1/3 correction, 1/3 rebuking, and 1/3 encouraging.  However, most Christians think the church should give its people 1/3 encouragement, 1/3 good times, and just 1/3 correction and rebuking! 

The above proverb clearly teaches that whoever loves discipline (to be corrected and rebuked) loves knowledge. However, whoever hates correction is stupid. Here are some ways to see if you love discipline or act in stupidity when it comes to discipline and correction;

(1) When corrected by a good leader, do you accept it or make excuses? (2) After being shown your wrong, do you repent or first try to show someone else his or her wrong?  (3) If you are asked to changed something about yourself do you do it just when people are looking or at all times even when you’re by yourself. And lastly, (4) Do you have strong leaders in your life who can discipline you or do you just have people that tell you what you want to hear?

Take sometime today to examine your heart to truly see if you are a person who loves knowledge by loving discipline.  Also, if you’re not currently in a church being discipled and disciplined find one and start today! 

Reflection | Do you love discipline? 

Action | (1) Repent of any stupidity you might have from hating correction. (2) Ask God to make you humble and teachable- a lover of discipline. (3) Lastly, find a good church with great leaders who can disciple you!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 19:1-20:9, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 88:1-18, &Proverbs 13:12-14. Click here to read online.