Dr. Joyce Brothers is quoted, “Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” And oh how she was right. I have taken a lot of instruction over my years and in that time I have to look back and determine how much of it I truly listened.
“17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” – Proverbs 10:17 (ESV)
I have to remember that instruction is there for me to learn from. Not for the moment, but for the lifetime. I have to listen to the instruction and look at the application of what it is I am learning. How am I able to use this in my life and going forward to be sure that I am indeed on the right path. It is when I am listening that I grow the most.
Look at the second part of verse 17 above, see the consequences of not listening. It is when I believe that I already know and reject any additional learning that I end up leading others down the wrong path. I have to remember that all of the instruction in the world is of no use if I am simply going to cast it off and go it alone anyway. By doing so I am surely on the path of ultimate destruction. Yes, there will be those moments when success seems to be presented, but those are in the moment and not sustaining.
I have to “heed” the instruction that I am receiving which means to me to listen and act on it so that I am able to truly head down the path of life God has for me.
When have you been given instruction that you really did not listen to? Were you already so “in the know” that whatever was being taught was of zero value? What if we took all instruction and truly “heeded” every word to grow and be directed on the path of life?
Trevor's Thoughts 