Be Not As The Horse

Or The Mule

 

 

"The alternative to discipline is disaster." - Vance Havner

 

 

How do you react to correction, instruction, and discipline?

Do you take it well when someone like your spouse, parents, Pastor, boss, coworker, teacher, or close friend point out one of your faults?

How do you regard reproof or rebuke?

Do you run from it and avoid it at all costs?

Do you leave a church because the Pastor preaches hard against sin - maybe your besetting sin?

Do you ask to be removed from a mailing list where the Word of God is piercing your heart in  hot conviction? 

Do you turn the radio or TV off or delete a message that is cutting you at your heart?

Or do you receive instruction and count it - as God's Favor toward you - to be told your duty and to be admonished concerning it?

 

There are two reactions outlined in the word of God that we can have toward correction. We are either those who regard reproof or hate reproof.

 

Into which category do you fall?

 

Let's examine some Scriptures and see how we stand. May we have ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to us today.

 

1. Regard Reproof

 

Proverbs 12:1 - "Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge..."

 

This is a person who loves discipline and correction. He loves instruction from God's Holy Word as well as from those whom God sends to him. He manifests a calm and submissive spirit which is disposed to obey and cheerfully submit to his designated authorities. He offers the Lord Jesus a willing service. God doesn't have to send afflictions and trials to try to keep him in the way or recover him from getting out of the way. He lovingly, willingly, and faithfully serves the Master in obedience and conformity to His Will.  

 

Proverbs 13:18 - "...but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."

 

This man regards reproof. In other words, he immediately corrects what is amiss when shown his faults. Resultantly, he is honored or exalted by God and man.

 

Proverbs 10:17 - "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction..."

 

This man accumulates knowledge so that he can have a better understanding of how he can live more compliantly unto the Lord and more faithfully serve his fellow man. He receives instruction and retains it. He doesn't let it slip away from him in carelessness. He immediately applies it to his life and is readily governed by it.

 

Proverbs 10:8 - "The wise in heart will receive commandments..."

 

This man is called "wise in heart." He is an obedient servant to the Lord. He receives God's commandments. He desires to be governed by His law. He is tractable, gentle, and yielding. 

  

Proverbs 1:5 - "...and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

 

The "man of understanding" is also a wise man. He is aware of his own defects and faults. Therefore, he has an ear for "wise counsels" which will lead him to correct that which is amiss in his life.

 

2. Hate Reproof

 

Proverbs 12:1 - "...but he that hateth reproof is brutish."

 

The Scriptures blatantly state that the man who refuses correction or instruction in life is as stupid - "brutish" - as a wild beast.

 

Proverbs 5:12-13 - "And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof: And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!"

 

This man hates to be informed and reformed concerning his ways. He hates discipline in any way, shape, form, or measure.

 

Proverbs 15:10 - "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

 

This man takes great offense whenever someone points out his personal faults. He is very uneasy at any kind of reproof. He hates it and cannot stand it. And he also hates those who deal truthfully with him. The reason why he reacts so unkindly to the word of rebuke is because he is not right with God. If he continues in this direction, he will die in his sins and end up in hell.  

Proverbs 13:18 - "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction..."

 

This man is proud, stubborn, ungovernable, and foolish. He scorns any type of teaching or instruction from anyone. Resultantly, he lives in disgrace as a spiritual beggar - never content or satisfied.

 

Proverbs 10:17 - "...but he that refuseth reproof erreth."

 

This man willfully and obstinately refuses any instruction concerning his Christian duty.  

 

Proverbs 1:25 - "But ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of my reproof."

 

This man looks down upon God's Word of rebuke. He scorns, laughs at, rejects, and does not take it seriously.

 

The Scriptures admonish us that we should not be as the brute beasts.

 

Remember Proverbs 12:1 says - "...he that hateth reproof is brutish..." In other words, he is like a dumb animal which has no understanding.

 

God admonishes us in Psalm 32:9 - "Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee."

 

What is a horse like? It is wild, unbroken, unruly, and ungovernable. It is unwilling to be caught and

taught. The only way to get it to obey is to use force and constraint.

 

Are we like the horse today in our walk with the Lord?

Are we wild and unbroken?

Do we live 99.9% of our Christianity in the flesh, giving place to any and all kinds of passions and lusts?

 

Are we unruly and ungovernable? 

Do we have the attitude that noone can really teach us anything that we don't already know?

In other words, are we a "know it all"?

Are we stubborn and rebellious?

 

Are we unwilling to be caught and taught and brought into some form of accountability and responsibility to God and others?

Do we resent anyone calling us to change our ways?

Do we "cop an attitude" whenever someone points out an area in our lives that doesn't conform to God's Holy Standards?

 

Does God always have to send fiery trials our way to get us to obey His Word?

Does He have to use the "goad" or some "sharp instrument" to get us to willingly serve Him?

Does He have to allow the bottom to fall out from beneath us to get us to pray, read our Bibles, fast, fellowship with Christians instead of the worldly crowd, witness to the unsaved, or give to needy and faithful ministries feeding us the Word of God?

 

Psalm 32:9 says - "Be ye not as the...mule..."

 

Are we like the mule?

Do we realize what the mule is distinguished for among all animals?

It is known for its Stubbornness.

Are we as stubborn as the mule?

Are we as such - who cannot be governed by reason or conscience - so God has to control us through power and force?

Does He have to place some form of restraint on us like a spiritual "bit and bridle" to get us to respond to Him?

Are we that stupid and thick-skulled at times? 

 

In closing, let's reflect on the opening quote by Vance Havner - "The alternative to discipline is disaster." God knows it. The devil knows it. But, do we know it?

 

God desires to have a people who will love and keep instruction, regard reproof, and attain to wise counsels. Will we be that people?

 

What changes are needed to make us that kind of willing, tractable, gentle, yielding, and submissive servant who offers God a daily reasonable service?

 

Haggai 1:5 - Perhaps the words of the Lord God of Israel, spoken through the Prophet Haggai, are appropriate at this time - "...Consider your ways."

 

Psalm 119:59 - Then it would do us good to follow the example of the Psalmist - "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies."

 

Many feet should be turning at about this time.

How about it?

Are two of those feet yours?

 

May God Bless His Word.

Connie