“A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.”
There are a lot of things we can be impressed by. Great wealth can be impressive. Sometimes great power can be impressive. I’m often impressed by a person who can overlook a wrong done to them and continue in a relationship with the person who committed it. I’m impressed by talented artists, musicians, chefs, and so many others whose abilities go far beyond the norm. In the midst of all the things that impress me—and that list is obviously long—Solomon tells us that being impressed by a rebuke from God and His people in our life is the mark of a discerning person, a very wise person. To be impressed by a rebuke, as described in this passage, speaks to wisdom and character. A rebuke from a person of wisdom is instructive, and it is rooted not in cruelty but in love and concern for the one receiving it. Discerning that truth is the key. The word discerning in this verse goes beyond simple knowledge. It “implies a deep, active ability to process information and make sound judgments.” This isn’t describing the average person; it’s describing someone who appreciates the value of a solid, wise rebuke. Today, receive correction and learn from it, allowing it to change you and make you more like Jesus. #BeTheEdge
“Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:6 NIV
