Listen and Live!

“The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide (live) among the wise!”

(Proverbs 15:31 + read Proverbs 16:16-20)

The press called him a “fallen power figure” after the famous Watergate scandal forced his resignation from a top political post in Washington, DC, and resulted in some jail time. Looking back on how it all happened, Mr. H. R. Halderman said: “I started out being excited working for the president. Then I became arrogant, then I became grandiose, and then I became self-destructive. I was prone to being infatuated with power and believing that the rules did not apply to me.” In an article he wrote in the Associated Press at the time, he said, “I ignored my wife, I ignored my friends, and I ignored the rules!”

Many believers fall into a similar trap with their Christianity, and perhaps you’ve had your experience in that too. It happens to all of us when we allow pride to shape our attitudes instead of embracing humility before God. The full quote from the book of Provers listed above reminds us, “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” (Proverbs 15:30-31)

Has a friend, family member, pastor, mentor, or counselor been trying to give you a wise word of correction lately? Are there guidance, instruction, or commandments in the scriptures you’ve been ignoring? Pride says, “I don’t want to hear it.” Wisdom says, “You’re close to the edge; humble yourself, stop…listen and live!” A Christian poet once wrote:

“Refusing to listen to faithful rebuke.

Can make you feel haughty inside

But if you will follow the Word of the Lord,

You’ll conquer your self-centered pride.”

Let’s be wise and embrace the Word of the Lord. God always has our best interests at heart in the instructions He gives for our everyday living. So listen and live.

Mmmm…Think about it!