“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJ)
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Reproof means: conviction of sin, punishment or refutation of error. Correction means: a straightening up again, a rectification or a reformation.
Instruction means: tutorage, education, training or disciplinary correction. It is translated in the KJV as chastening, chastisement, instruction or nurture.
The word of God is given to us to convict us (make us aware) of our sin. The word straightens us up, chastises, trains and corrects us. If we receive the word into our lives and hearts and if we allow it to do its work in us, we are wise and we will be even wiser. In other words it takes a measure of wisdom to have a heart open to instruction in the first place and as we allow the word into our hearts, it makes us even wiser. As you grow in God, you are continually learning from Him and being corrected and straightened up by Him.
Proverbs 10:17 (NKJ)
17He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.
God’s instruction leads us into life and produces life. When we won’t hear God’s instruction, we go astray – we make mistakes, we make wrong decisions and we go in the wrong direction.
Proverbs 12:1 (KJV)
1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Brutish basically means stupid. Part of the meaning of the Hebrew word, translated brutish is – to be consumed by fire. When people refuse God’s wisdom in their lives, they will end up in the Hot Place! I don’t know about you – but I don’t want to be stupid or hot! I think that I would rather receive God’s rebuke now, than His judgement later!
Proverbs 13:18 (NKJ)
18Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Proverbs 15:5-6 (NKJ)
A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent. 6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
Proverbs 15:31-32 (NKJ)
31The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. 32He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Poverty, shame and trouble are the punishment of fools, who will not receive God’s instruction or the wise instruction and correction of their parents. Honor, wisdom, understanding and treasure are the reward of those who hear and obey God’s correction and instruction.
Proverbs 29:15 (NKJ)
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
When we were children, our parent’s discipline and the spankings they administered controlled our flesh and carnal nature. As we grow up, we must allow the word of God to minister to us and thereby deal with the sin and foolishness in our carnal nature. We grow in wisdom as we allow the word to discipline and correct us.
Proverbs 17:10 (NKJ)
10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.
It is a wise man or woman who will have a humble, teachable spirit and who will allow God’s word to reprove, correct and instruct them – even if it is painful to the flesh. A fool will not heed or obey God’s word. Not even a beating can straighten out a fool. Be a wise man/woman and receive God’s word as discipline and correction and instruction in your life and you will always be blessed in every area of your life.
Hebrews 12:11 (NKJ)
11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.