Pro 15:31 | KingComments | STEP | “Reproof” can be painful, but “he whose ear listens” to it will consequently live, according to the wisdom of God. A teachable person belongs among the wise, for he who “listens to the life-giving reproof” shows that he is wise. The wise person wants to live to the glory of God. Reproof serves to remove from life that which prevents it. He who has an open ear for that, “will dwell among the wise” that is, he finds rest in the midst of the wise. He is one of them. “He who neglects discipline”, which goes beyond refusing to listen to reproof, “despises himself” ( ). He thinks no one should interfere with his life. He wants to live as he thinks best for himself. It escapes him that by such an attitude he despises his life. The discipline is meant to make him live the true life, that is, as God has meant it to be lived. That gives full satisfaction to life. He who “listen to reproof acquires understanding”; he acquires understanding of himself and of life. Then one can grow spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. He will know how to live to God’s glory. For his neighbor, he will seek not evil, but good and know what God requires of him. He who is guided in his life by “the fear of the LORD” is constantly instructed, in the sense of being taught, to walk wisely through life ( ), for “the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD” ( ). He knows how to make the right choice when there is a need to choose and so also to avoid evil. His life is attuned to doing the will of God. The first effect of wisdom is that it produces “humility” in the righteous. The fear of God is accompanied by humility. Where there is the one, there is also the other. The one is the way to wisdom; the other is the way to honor. Humility is a mind of heart that we must learn. We can learn humility from Him Who is Wisdom. He said: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” ( ). Humble submission in trust in the Lord brings “wisdom” and “honor”. The Lord Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted by God. He is the example of what He says to us: “He who humbles himself will be exalted” ( ). Our exaltation, the honor we will receive, depends on our humiliation. If we humble ourselves “under the mighty hand of God”, He will exalt us “at the proper time” ( ).

‏ Proverbs 15:31

To Listen and to Fear Is Life, Wisdom and Honor

“Reproof” can be painful, but “he whose ear listens” to it will consequently live, according to the wisdom of God. A teachable person belongs among the wise, for he who “listens to the life-giving reproof” shows that he is wise. The wise person wants to live to the glory of God. Reproof serves to remove from life that which prevents it. He who has an open ear for that, “will dwell among the wise” that is, he finds rest in the midst of the wise. He is one of them.

“He who neglects discipline”, which goes beyond refusing to listen to reproof, “despises himself” (Pro 15:32). He thinks no one should interfere with his life. He wants to live as he thinks best for himself. It escapes him that by such an attitude he despises his life. The discipline is meant to make him live the true life, that is, as God has meant it to be lived. That gives full satisfaction to life.

He who “listen to reproof acquires understanding”; he acquires understanding of himself and of life. Then one can grow spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. He will know how to live to God’s glory. For his neighbor, he will seek not evil, but good and know what God requires of him.

He who is guided in his life by “the fear of the LORD” is constantly instructed, in the sense of being taught, to walk wisely through life (Pro 15:33), for “the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD” (Pro 9:10). He knows how to make the right choice when there is a need to choose and so also to avoid evil. His life is attuned to doing the will of God.

The first effect of wisdom is that it produces “humility” in the righteous. The fear of God is accompanied by humility. Where there is the one, there is also the other. The one is the way to wisdom; the other is the way to honor. Humility is a mind of heart that we must learn. We can learn humility from Him Who is Wisdom. He said: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29).

Humble submission in trust in the Lord brings “wisdom” and “honor”. The Lord Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted by God. He is the example of what He says to us: “He who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk 14:11b). Our exaltation, the honor we will receive, depends on our humiliation. If we humble ourselves “under the mighty hand of God”, He will exalt us “at the proper time” (1Pet 5:6).