Thursday, June 12, 2008
Proverbs 25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
GEMS FROM PROVERBS - 4
How hard it is to accept criticism! When we are criticized for almost anything our reflex is to be defensive. Even when we manage to take it gracefully, often we are still wounded inside and may brood long about it.
Yet it is foolish to react this way, especially to constructive criticism which can be very helpful. It can give us valuable information about ourselves, pointing out traits and habits which need to be changed.
Our proverb speaks highly of criticism that comes from a "wise reprover." This is not the unkind and unfair criticism of an enemy, but the well-intended criticism of a wise friend. Such criticism should not be taken as a slap in the face when it falls on our ears. Rather it should be taken as something of value, to be kept and treasured and used, as one would treat a gift of fine jewelry.
And -- if we should listen to the criticism of a wise friend, how much should we not listen to "criticism" from God? His Word is profitable for reproof and correction (2 Timothy 3:16). This correction is hard to take; it may strike at one or another fault or failing. But God's law tells us that according to the human nature there is nothing good in us, nothing acceptable to Him (Romans 7:18).
But as hard and unpleasant as it is to hear God's criticism, it is necessary to our spiritual health that we both hear and humbly accept it. For God is the wisest and kindest of reprovers. He shows us what we are so that we may have no illusions about ourselves. He reveals our sin in all its ugliness so that we may repent of it daily and look to Jesus for the pardon and cleansing that we have in His blood.
When we remember what our God intends for us with His criticism, it will be to us as an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold. Not something to be despised and thrown away, but something to be kept, treasured, and used.
