"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE DANGER OF A HARDENED HEART"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE DANGER OF A HARDENED HEART"

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Proverbs is known as God's book of wisdom for mankind.
In it, God teaches us about life in a very detailed way. Describing for us the paths that lead to blessing and the paths and choices that lead to destruction. This verse is one that explains the danger of being stubborn.

1. We have a choice to make when listening to loving criticism.

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

God has given man the freedom to choose, or as we like to call it a free will.
Even the christian, of course, has a free will.
We can exercise our will, and do in the choices we make.

We are not sinless as Christians.
We are not without making mistakes.
We are most likely going to have loving criticism come our way.

It's important to make the right choice in these situations.
It's the wise thing to do.
It's a foolish thing to not be open to loving criticism

2. If we refuse to accept loving criticism we will suffer a great consequence.

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Here we have the results, or the consequences, of being stubborn.
We can stubbornly refuse to accept criticism.
If we do, we are certain to experience a severe consequence.

In fact this verse says destruction can come and we would be beyond repair, or beyond remedy.
So, our wills are very important.
And our choice to be humble is very important and valuable.

3. On the other hand, if we choose to humble ourselves, then God is able to help us by His grace and mercy.
Here are three verses that encourage us to be humble, and they explain how God deals with the humble person.

Proverbs 3:34 “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

1st Peter 5:5 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Please notice the phrase gives grace.
That is so much better than being broken beyond repair.

Some Questions:

1. Can you remember the last time you were stubborn and would not listen to wise counsel?

2. Can you remember how much internal turmoil is accompanied by being stubborn?

3. Can you remember the peace that came into your heart when you humbled yourself?

4. Is someone trying to help you at this very time, and are you being humble or stubborn?

A Prayer:

Father, You have nothing but good that You want to bring into our lives. Yet You do require that we trust You and trust demands humility. You bless the man or woman who trusts You. You are unable to bring that grace to us when we are prideful and stubborn. We are prone to sin, Lord. Please help us to grow in humility and to attempt to maintain humility as a part of our character and life. How happy it must make You, Lord, when You are able to pour Your grace into our lives.
Thank You for being so gracious and forgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.