Stubborn Stubborn
“Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1 NIV) or translated into Common English the same verse reads “One who stays stubborn after many corrections will be suddenly broken, beyond healing.” (Proverbs 29:1 CEB). The Book of Proverbs doesn’t provide any specific references for the wisdom it offers, so we are left to try and fill in some examples for a better understanding and a practical application. This verse doesn’t answer the question of who or what will destroy or break (the people or) person who steadfastly refuses to listen to reason. But first let’s consider the problem. There are many excuses for ignoring advice but after careful consideration they all boil down to a single presumption, we just naturally tend to believe that we know more on the subject at hand, than the giver of the advice. This remains true even when we get the same advice from different people. So let’s eliminate the first obvious problem, the credibility of the advice giver. We must first validate the credentials of our advisor. Then we must learn to trust in their objectivity and selfless interests. Now we are good to go with their advice, right? Well no, then we need a second opinion from another reliable advisor or even a consensus of opinion. Some of us even go opinion shopping until we locate even one independent opinion which supports our own conclusion. In other words we want to do what we want, end of discussion.
Proverbs were written by the man whom God had given the greatest wealth of human wisdom to, Solomon. So the wisdom of proverbs comes directly from God. Pretty good credentials there, in fact there is no better opinion available to us. There is no consensus of human opinion, regardless of the numbers involved, which can outweigh the counsel of God. There is no nation on earth who’s wisdom is more objective, selfless or intellectually superior to God’s. So why do most people, even religious or spiritual people rest comfortably while ignoring the counsel of God? Many of our most intellectually gifted advisors will readily admit to never having read the Holy Bible. Yet they remain convinced that they are right and justified in their thinking or actions? This much is clear. The bible has never been proven wrong. There are thousands of points of perfect wisdom written in it. Whether we are talking about excessive monetary debts, any sexual infidelity, lying, lust, cheating or greed, there is no justifiable way to make these actions acceptable. God said, refusing to listen to reason will result in either being completely broken or destroyed, by one force or another. So don’t act surprised when it happens.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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Good subject. Flowed nicely… Very smooth.