Reproof – It’s Not Going To Kill Us
“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head…” Psalm 141:5
The above verse was one that Anna shared in our Bible time yesterday. As she read it aloud, I had to smile at the phrase – “which shall not break my head”. Oh, how often have we had that very attitude toward reproof – as if being told we are wrong is going to kill us? 🙂 No, being reproved will not “break my head”…it will not kill me. In fact, allowing others to point out our faults could prevent us from disaster. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” If someone loves us enough to point out our errors, we should regard it as kindness on their part. We should be thankful that they care enough to tell us the truth!
A portion of Matthew Henry’s comments on the above verse is as follows:
“We are here taught how to receive the reproofs of the righteous and wise. 1. We must desire to be reproved for whatever is amiss in us, or is done amiss by us: “Lord, put it into the heart of the righteous to smite me and reprove me. If my own heart does not smite me, as it ought, let my friend do it; let me never fall under that dreadful judgment of being let alone in sin.” 2. We must account it a piece of friendship. We must not only bear it patiently, but take it as a kindness; for reproofs of instruction are the way of life (Prov. 6:23), are means of good to us, to bring us to repentance for the sins we have committed, and to prevent relapses into sin. Though reproofs cut, it is in order to a cure, and therefore they are much more desirable than the kisses of an enemy (Prov. 27:6) or the song of fools, (Ecc. 7:5). David blessed God for Abigail’s seasonable admonition, (I Sam 25:32). 3. We must reckon ourselves helped and healed by it: It shall be as an excellent oil to a wound, to mollify it and close it up; it shall not break my head, as some reckon it to do, who could as well bear to have their heads broken as to be told of their faults; but, says David, “I am not of that mind; it is my sin that has broken my head, that has broken my bones, (Ps 51:8). The reproof is an excellent oil, to cure the bruises sin has given me. It shall not break my head, if it may but help to break my heart.” ~ Matthew Henry
Being reproved may hurt our pride, but it’s not going to kill us. 🙂 However, refusing reproof may lead to our destruction.
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1