How To Be a Wise Reprover

To reprove means to gently criticize or correct. So, a reprover challenges and corrects people whom they love.

And today’s verse shows us just how much a wise reprover is worth:

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Proverbs 25:12 ESV

There are two big ideas we should take away.

One:

Two:

Those who listen to a wise reprover gain something as valuable as gold. Click To Tweet

What is a wise reprover?

So, what does it mean for a reprover to be wise? It means at least three things.

Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” Because of this, a wise reprover first fears God. What does it mean to fear God?

Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”

Fearing God means loving what he loves and hating what he hates. Just like a child who wants to please and be like their Good Father, those who fear good long to please and be like him.

A wise wise reprover respects, loves, and wants to emulate God.

Because of the wise reprover’s love of God, he or she loves people!

This means he or she isn’t argumentative, judgmental, or condemning. Instead, when a wise reprover seeks to correct someone, it’s because they love them—not because they simply like to be in control or command.

Remember, the fear of the LORD means a spirit of humility prevails, because God resists the proud (James 4:6).

This means a wise reprover will speak gently and in a way the other person can understand and truly hear.

Finally, a wise reprover is courageous. After all, offering instruction when you see someone else out of alignment with God’s word can be really hard.

This takes boldness—and a wise reprover has it.

Why?

Because he or she loves God and loves people. They want good for them, and know that correction is beneficial to brothers and sisters in error.

However, they’re also bold because he or she values the Word of God and knows that its truth is unwavering. This means they’re so confident in it they have no doubt it will bring fruit and life..

Are you listening? Are you obedient?

So there are two questions you should answer honestly today:

Do you listen to the wise reprovers God’s placed in your life?

Is your heart soft, teachable, and willing to be corrected? Or do you always have to be right? Do you reject spiritual authority? Does your pride flare up anytime someone suggests you might be wrong?

If someone is offering correction to you, and they fulfill the above three criteria, consider that they may be a wise reprover God has placed for your benefit in your life.

Do you reprove those in error?

When you notice someone is out-of-step with God’s word, do you reprove them? This may mean your children, someone in your church, or even a pastor or leader.

When they are in error, do you gently, humbly, and lovingly correct them? Or do you neglect to because it’s difficult, and even scary, to do so?

Do you need to humble yourself and listen someone’s reproof, today? And more, do you need to be a wise reprover for someone else? If so, take action!

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Today’s devotion by Jordan Loftis, author of <a href=”https://amazon.com/dp/1945255374″><em>The Men With Bare Feet</em></a> and host of <a href=”http://biblebetterpodcast.podbean.com”>The Bible Better Podcast</a>.