You Got Your Ears On?

Introduction

Over the years, I have tried to read a chapter in Proverbs each day. Over the last few months, I have altered my schedule to where I make it a point to spend time in the Word of God before I do anything else.

I do this for a few reasons:

I don’t get busy & forget about it.

I begin my day with hearing Wisdom from the Word of God.

One of the things that God has really pricked my heart with of late is the principles found in our text today. That of hearing reproof.

As you go through the ‘Book of Wisdom’ that God has given us, this is one of the predominant themes that God speaks - in one form or another - unto you and I.

Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

Proverbs 13:18 “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”

Proverbs 15:5 “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”

Proverbs 17:10 “A reproof entereth more into a wise man Than an hundred stripes into a fool.”

Proverbs 19:25 “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”

Proverbs 25:12 “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

Proverbs 27:5 “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”

Reproof (def) Blame expressed to the face

Rebuke (def) To chasten; to punish; to afflict for correction

In consideration of this topic, I’ve titled the message ‘You Got Your Ears On?” I thought of that old movie (this is not an endorsement) Smokey & the Bandit. “Snowman, you got your ears on?” he says over the cb. Do you know what he was asking? ‘Are you listening’

This is the question that I want to ask you today - are you listening. I don’t mean can you hear me, I mean are you listening? Because the fact of the matter is, some will & some won’t.

Jesus knew this when He exhorted & reproved the seven churches in Rev. 2-3. After each exhortation He said: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 2:7;11;17;29;3:6;13;22) Although all have ears, only some will hear.

But whether or not someone else has got their ears on, the question is, do you? Are you willing to regard reproof?

There is a Great Lack of Understanding in today’s society.

(Ill.) I would have never thought 10 years ago that we’d have a Supreme Court Justice that cannot define what a woman is.

(Ill.) I would have never thought that our society would condone transexuals doing drag shows in front of children. And NEVER would have thought speaking against it would be controversial.

(Ill.) We have people advocating guns to be eliminated because of ‘mass shootings’.

- From 1982-2021 = 39 years, there have been 952 deaths by ‘mass shootings’. (According to Time magazine)

In 2021 alone fentanyl killed 70,601. 56k-2020; 36k-2019. Yet, we have half the politicians in Washington advocating free passage of this stuff by mules from our Mexican border.

When I think of many in Washington, I’m reminded of Romans 1:22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”

There is no understanding because there is no Bible in their brains. The Bible is the antidote for ignorance. It is the cure for stupidity - but just like any other antidote or cure, it must be administered in order for it to be effective!

Now by & large, I’m going to be referring to hearing the reproof and instruction from the Word of God. The principles could be applied to many things, but this is paramount. We might can afford to disregard reproof from other sources, but God help us if we disregard the reproof from God’s Word!

First, Why Men Might Refuse Instruction

I. Why Men Might Refuse Instruction

These are things that you want to guard against. If you don’t guard against them, Satan will surely use them to keep you from gaining the wisdom that comes from reproof.

Instinct

The first thing that I considered is the natural instinct of man. In other words, their flesh. To admit that we’re wrong about something - anything is difficult because it goes against the very nature of man.

Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

It’s important to know that within us lies something very sinister - very wicked. It’s not Satan - Satan lies outside of us, but this enemy resides within us.

We must guard that our flesh does not hinder us from hearing the instruction that God has for us.

Instinct - the Flesh might hinder us from hearing reproof

Pride

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.”

I’m of the opinion that pride is far more destructive than what people realize.

Pride has destroyed more families, more futures, more financial stability than we can possibly imagine.

Pride in the heart of husbands and wives refuse to submit to correction. They refuse to admit their faults, so the result is destroyed marriages

Pride in the heart of mankind desires to be like the Jones’s and causes them to overextend and live paycheck to paycheck.

Pride will keep men from receiving instruction. Why?

They Feel they Know Better

Three words that rarely escape the mouths of men: “I was wrong”

You see - in order for you to regard reproof, you must come to the understanding that you were wrong. This is the only way that you can change your mind or opinion on a thing.

To admit you are wrong, you must humble yourself - and this is hard for most to do.

They Feel they Know Better

They Esteem Themselves Better

Some people think they just know better.

(Ill.) I preached a message years ago in my old church and a visitor came and heard me preach. He evidently felt he was a learned man - I don’t know to what purpose it was that he was there, but as he was leaving, he asked me where it was I went to school. He took exception to something I’d preached. He couldn’t tell me where I was wrong, so instead, he felt it best to try and minimize me because I evidently lacked the educational standard he was seeking.

He thought he was better than me. He didn’t like what I said, but couldn’t explain why I was wrong - just rejected it because of his pride.

I’ll admit - I have less formal education than most - whether it’s men in the pulpit or otherwise. However, I’d rather have the leading of the Holy Ghost and a faith unwavering than a piece of paper on my office wall any day!

We must guard that we don’t think we’re better than one who might have instruction for us. God has used poor prophets to instruct & rebuke Kings!

They Esteem Themselves Better

Stubbornness

This is a problem for many. They are just plain stubborn.

(Ill.) This is the way my daddy did it!

(Ill.) This is the way it’s always been done!

(Ill.) This is what I’ve always believed!

(Ill.) How many have heard the term ‘Cradle Catholics’? I had a catholic man refer to himself as this one day as I tried to witness to him.

Some are foolish & brutish & just plain stubborn so they won’t hear instruction!

They are Stubborn

Apathy

This is a plague upon the Christian church today. Apathetic attitudes.

Apathy (def) Want of feeling; an utter privation of passion

In other words - people just don’t care. They might not be stubborn and heading in a different direction, they just don’t care to hear & heed instruction.

I say this is a plague upon the Christian church, because the wickedness that is going on should stir the church to action - yet it is not.

Apathy

Afraid of the Consequences

Proverbs 15:10 “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: And he that hateth reproof shall die.”

Some refuse to regard reproof because they’re afraid of what it might mean to them.

I’ll give you an example. In Mat. 6, Jesus is speaking and He begins to say some hard things. He says to:

Lay up treasure in Heaven (v20)

Don’t be concerned with the necessities of life (v25)

He illustrates (the fowls of the air, lilies of the field)

Matthew 6:31–34 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

The end result of what Jesus is saying is that Seeking God should be the most important thing in your life. You do that, and God will take care of the rest.

The problem is the whole ‘putting God first’ thing. Because if people listen to that instruction, it will force them to give up things that they treasure on earth - such as ballgames & the comfort of the recliner & football on a cool fall day!

Some are afraid of the consequences if they regard reproof

First, Why Men Might Refuse Instruction, Why we Must be Willing to Receive Instruction

II. Why we Must be Willing to Receive Instruction

To Gain

Understanding & Knowledge

Proverbs 15:32 “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

As I’d said, understanding is in short supply in America today. So many lack basic understanding - and if you refuse the reproof of Scripture, you will be likened unto them!

Proverbs 19:25 “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”

Understanding (def) Right frame of mind - Comprehending the matter at hand

Knowledge (def) Information, Illumination and Application

Understanding (the situation & matter) Knowledge (knowing what to do about it)

Proverbs 12:1 “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: But he that hateth reproof is brutish.”

That word ‘brutish’ is not a complement - it means ‘stupid’. To think like a beast

If we regard reproof, then we gain Understanding and Knowledge

The Purpose of Life

Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

We do not know where to go or what to do in our natural selves. Men wonder today what is life & what is the purpose.

If men will only heed the reproof of the Word of God, it explains these things.

Safety from Destruction

Proverbs 1:25 “But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof:”

The first is Wisdom speaking and because wisdom’s reproof was ignored, destruction was going to come

Proverbs 29:1 “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

There’s been many a death from many a fool who would not heed the reproof of the Word of God. There’s safety in God’s Word!

To Gain

To Gather

Honor

Proverbs 13:18 “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”

We spoke of crowns this morning and how there’s going to be a reckoning day - and the only way to enjoy honor rather than suffer shame is to be pliable, and regard reproof when it’s directed to us.

Honor

Treasure

Proverbs 25:12 “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

Some seek after gold and earthly treasures - but having an obedient ear unto the reprover is treasure far better!

Treasure

First, Why Men Might Refuse Instruction, Secondly, Why we Must be Willing to Receive Instruction. Lastly, Where We Will Find Instruction

III. Where We Will Find Instruction

The Word of God

Psalm 119:105 “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”

Not from:

TV

Internet

Radio

Such like it… But from the Word of God.

If any of the things that you find in those places offer wisdom, then it’s because it was derived from the Word of God.

The best instruction that I could possibly give to any of you - is to get in the Word of God. To read it. To feast upon it. To bathe yourself in it. It’s what’s found therein that will be the greatest help you’ll ever have.

Conclusion

Do you have your ears on? Are you willing to regard reproof when it comes your way, or will you let pride, stubbornness, apathy and the flesh cause you to reject it?

We must be pliable church in the hands of the potter.