5/28/2024
Elijah McSwain, Sr.
Proverbs 15:5 NKJV — A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent.
The framework of Proverbs 15:5 is submerged in biblical content surrounding the use of our words. The layout of the opening verses leading up to this verse and a few verses thereafter, speak to how harsh words stir up anger but a soft answer deflects wrath (v. 1). Proverbs deals with how the tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly whereas a foolish person promotes foolishness (v. 2). The next verse captures how God sees both good and evil (v. 3). In connection with this verse, the following verse emphasizes the difference between a gentle tongue and a perverse tongue. The ensuing verse deals with the house of the righteous and the revenue of the wicked (v. 6) and the last verse (v.7) reiterates the same context of the lips of the wise dispersing knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so.
In the heart of Proverbs 15:1-7, the topic of correction and instructional inference is mentioned in verse 5 to showcase a person’s attitude of defiance to authority in contrast to a person’s willful submission to authority and guidance.
Ultimately, a person’s desire to listen and obey or not will adversely affect how they behave in action and communicate in speech.
As we peruse through the designated text pertaining to are you listening and obeying, let us observe the different responses to instruction and correction.
A Defiant Attitude Toward Instruction
In the opening of verse five, Solomon wrote that a foolish person despises his father’s instruction. A person who despises parental advice, wise counsel, or helpful guidance is considered to be unwise due to lacking the proper sense of discernment and judgment. The result of possessing this type of mindset leads a person to be defiant. The word despise suggests that there is a negative mental disposition regarding words of wisdom with a show of contempt, disdain, scorn, revolt, disregard, rebellion, and disgust. This involves taking a position of willfully and ignorantly dismissing valuable directives as a means of choosing one’s own preferences of ill-advised thought.
This passage lays forth that parental oversight has been instituted by God as the appointed authority over children. Under this divine structural orchestration, the Lord has given parents responsibility for instructing their children.
When instructions are given, those instructions are to be received reverently. The notion of receiving instructions in a reverent manner demonstrates honor to God, honor our parents and demonstrates protection from dangerous pitfalls. Proverbs 6:20-23 (NKJV) is informative that "my son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life. Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV) records "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Reverence for God leads to respect display toward our parents. However, disregard for reverence is manifested in foolery. In fact, if sound advice is ignored, it leads to foolish behavior and communication. The inability to have a desire to adhere to sound words promotes irrational thinking, perverse speech, and unwanted conduct. A defiant inward nature will be visible outwardly. The behavioral traits of a person that possesses a defiant spirit toward instruction shows a lack of respect for authority and an unwillingness to mature in knowledge and wisdom.
The Life Application Study Bible explains “people who refuse constructive criticism have a problem with pride. Such people are unlikely to learn very much.” 1
A prideful person is a defiant person, and a defiant person is a full of rebellion as well as inappropriate activity. A person who is defiant is unapologetic, unruly, disobedient, resistant, engages in loose speech, is set on insisting to live life on their own terms, and has an unteachable spirit as a result of limited understanding. Proverbs 18:2 (NKJV) mentions that “a fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.”
The heart of a foolish person will showcase what is bound inwardly when there is a failure to be governed by understanding.
A lack of understanding leads to a refusal of correction.
Proverbs 12:1 (MSG) states “if you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!” The Believer’s Bible Commentary correlates the idea that a person who refuses correction “considers his father outdated, his ideas old-fashioned, and his instructions worthless.” 2 This is reflective of the culture that we lived in today. Children reject parenting styles that are not in tune with the culture, that is not up to par with the times, nor that is valuable because it goes against the cultural norm. Hence, the information that is trying to be instilled within younger people are considered worthless. It is worthless to them because they are consumed with society and themselves.
Individuals that are engulfed and consumed with themselves cannot see past themselves resultant upon being shortsighted and hung up on their own ignorance. Thus, individuals who despise authoritative instruction reflect actions that are destructive, vile, inconsiderate, and unloving. This can also be reminiscent of God’s children as well when His spiritual offspring disregard the instructions of our heavenly Father.
If children of God do not yield to the power of the Lord, then we too can become foolish in our thought pattern, conduct, and speech.
Are we listening well to the voice of God in order that we may obey Him? Are we taking His words seriously about the use of our tongues, the way that we treat others, the way that we honor Him, the way that we should live before Him, and so many other things that we have been instructed to do? As a Father, God desires the best for us as His children, therefore, we should eagerly listen to His commands, statures, and precepts. In reference to our speech, do we desire to comprehend what God states about using wholesome speech?
Scripture informs us in Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) “let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Yielding to what God declares about the use of our speech is a way of honoring Him by walking in His ways. Deuteronomy 13:4 (NKJV) is penned “you shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” Let us glorify God as good children by adhering to His heavenly instructions.
A Prudent Attitude Welcomes Correction
In the closing of verse five, Solomon addressed the blessedness of listening to wise direction. Whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Prudence is a term that speaks to the adherence of sound judgment and wisdom through receiving correction.
As a human race if the wheels on our vehicles are out of alignment, we will take our automobile to the mechanic to get it corrected with a front-end alignment. If our shoulder is popped out of socket, then we would get a medical professional to correct the issue by putting the shoulder back into its proper place. When we have computer issues, we will take it to Greek Squad to correct the electronic issue(s) with our device. No doubt, when we as children deviate from the right path then we will be recipients of parental instruction. It would be very wise to hear out and heed such advice and correction as it would benefit us greatly. Our parents have walked where we are walking now, and their godly advice will shield and protect us from any further damage by adhering to wise insight and consultation. Albert Mohler revealed “children who accept correction are wise because they recognize that their parents are acting in love when they correct their child’s foolish behavior.” 3
The premise of giving godly wisdom is to pass on information that will steer us in the right direction that stems from a heart of compassion and love. Correction displays the element of love. This statement is perquisite of the words Christ spoke through John the Revelator in Revelation 3:19 that is written “as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” The love of Jesus is projected through actions of discipline. This is the same mindset of a concerned and caring parent. Thus, it behooves children to listen and comply with the guidance provided. A parent who cares about the welfare and well-being of their children will teach them to guard what they say. Proverbs 19:20 (NKJV) is informative to “listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” Absorbing what parents say and then applying it will help our speech be pleasant as a honeycomb, wholesome, calming, nurturing, respectful, and constructive in building up others.
The wisdom of a parent that is transferred to their children comes through the law of transference of passing down information through words or deeds. The ability to pass down wisdom helps mold and shape the worldview of the next generation to be wise in understanding and operation.
Proverbs 9:9 (NKJV) affirms to “give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” It is stated that “wise people receive reproof and rebuke with appreciation; fools do not.” 4 The prudent are appreciative of correction and uses it to their advantage. As Christians, God should deem us as being prudent for being appreciative of His divine correction. Our eagerness to listen and apply what He decrees should be of great importance to us as we give great attention to every word that proceeds out of His mouth. In Psalm 32, David allowed his wayward thinking to get him into trouble but the Lord as a gracious Father elected to step in to instruct David in the way to go. The Lord revealed to David in Psalm 32:8 that He would instruct him and teach him in the way he should go and that He would guide David with His eye. The obedience and faith of David to follow the Lord would get him back on the right track. What is spoken by the Lord should be perceived by our ears and put into practice and action. As the children of God, we should always possess a welcoming attitude of hearing our Father’s voice as we delight in His provisions for us.
Hunter Thompson once stated that “no man is so foolish, but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” 5 No person can master their foolish nature apart from God, therefore, let’s allow God to be the Master of our lives who alone gives excellent advice and counsel.
In summation, let’s be wise in everything that we do according to the standard of God and not be deemed foolish by insisting our own way. Proverbs 12:15 (NKJV) reiterates “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” and Proverbs 13:18 (NKJV) adds “poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.”
How well do you hear and obey?
References
The Life Application Study Bible
The Believer’s Bible Commentary
The Grace and Truth Study Bible
The MacArthur Study Bible