In every translation…
Many times, we look into the Scriptures, and they confuse us or confront us. They confuse us because God’s ways are much higher than our ways. However, don’t miss the point in that… we commune with God and enjoy Him as we wait for Him to illumine, give revelation, and open the truth to us. They confront us because we are met with the holiness of God and we discover we are nothing like Him.
Often, when we are confused, we give up. Or, worse, we take some offhand explanation that suits us, but it may (1) not have come from fellowship with God, or (2) might not be true the context of that passage nor the context of the entirety of Scriptures.
Often, when we are confronted, we buck. We argue. We justify. We try to explain away what God is showing us
so that we can be comfortable.
Godly confrontation is meant to lead to correction received. It’s hard to position our heart in such a way that we regularly embrace confrontation, but it is a pathway to growth.
For example, no matter what translation one might choose, Proverbs 12:1 says what it says:
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” (NIV)
“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” (NLT)
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” (ESV)
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.” (NASB)
“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” (KJV)
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.” (HCSB)
“If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—how shortsighted to refuse correction!” (The Message)
“To learn, you must want to be taught. To refuse reproof is stupid” (TLB)
Tough talk… whew… tough talk, indeed. Will we receive it? Will we let God confront us? Will we embrace reproof? Will we receive correction?
Most importantly, will we fellowship with God as we receive the gift of growth?
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