Take Rebuke With Joy

How often do we do things that are evil. Even our souls don’t often realize when we are doing what is evil. Because our hearts are not always looking towards the Lord, we get caught up in things that are evil. However, all appears normal as people laugh, dance and even make merry while under the influence of temptation. However, two things either happen when sin is committed. Either the person is sorrowful or they don’t see what they did as wrong. And by covering up our sins, then comes excuses. Solomon spoke on this matter when he said, 1“sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” What is needed in these circumstances is to know what they did was wrong. However, most people don’t want to hear anything of it. In saying this, Solomon said it this way, 1“it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” It is when we refuse to hear our faults, is when more trouble occurs. That sin eventually triggers another sin until your soul is so entrenched with that lifestyle. This is foolishness at its best. Especially when that same person will not listen to people’s advice or God.

When you are in sin and are approached about it by someone, don’t get upset, but thank them and repent. Solomon said, 1“be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” As we learn from God, anger does nothing good for us or anyone else. It only brings contentions and arguments. As nobody likes arguments, it is better to understand where we are wrong so that we can better our situation. Think of it this way. Are you perfect? No, as I am not as well. Correction is what we need in life, as to grow in knowledge. This is the time that we will thank the person for leading us out of a bad spot, especially when it finally hits home. We will be so grateful that the issue was caught when it was. Just like a disease, we don’t allow the cancer to grow but instead we do treatments in order to remove it from our system. This is the same way with sin. We come to God in prayer and confessions, that God may remove what is evil from our life. And Lastly, what Solomon said here should make perfect sense. 1“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” What is done is done and you have moved on and are a new person through Christ Jesus.

Let us pray:
Oh lord, humble us that we may take advice from others and You more seriously. When our sins come to light and people make mention of it, help us to not deny it but accept what we did was wrong. If there is counsel for our wrongs, may we be so able to listen to them. Help us to always have an open heart to our mistakes that when these circumstances arise that we will be ready to respond favorably. I know that many times I have said the wrong thing and caused a scene and I am sorry. Help me and everyone else to think of You before we speak. May our hearts and minds be filled with Your love for one another that we will treat others with that same love. And most importantly, help us to not be frustrated and to then shove it on other people. Calm our heart and cast out all anger. Give us peace in moments of distress. I trust in You Lord. I Love You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1Ecclesiastes 7:1-10 (KJV)
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

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