Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Summary: Who is watching you? What do people think of you? Does it matter? Yes, it does! We are always watching others and taking clues from what they do. People are watching you, too. If you care about others, the first order of business is setting a good example for them.
People who know us are affected by what we say and do, just like we are impacted by what they say and do. The impact might be big or it might be small, but it is there. Even the way we dress and act has an impact on others.
What kind of impact do you want to have on others?
As the first of four boys, I had the honor and responsibility of being the oldest in my family. Unfortunately, I don’t think I was a very good example most of the time. My brothers got to see me make mistakes and sometimes, not knowing any better than I did, they repeated those mistakes.
Later, as a friend to people I knew, a husband to my wife, and a father to my kids, I found more ways to make mistakes. The impact on those around me was predictable.
Not everything I did was bad, of course. But it wasn’t until I became serious about knowing Jesus that things started to turn around. Now, seeing the “way to life” I want everyone to come with me. Sadly, it doesn’t work that way.
Leading is not a matter of saying “Go here!” or “Go there!” Leading is going there and showing others how to get there. Not telling them, showing them, but doing it first. This can be a frustratingly slow process. Especially because, in matters of true life and salvation, Satan is constantly tempting all of us to follow him away from God’s light.
Imagine how Jesus feels! He led the way by showing us true submission to God. He fasted forty days in the wilderness because God’s Spirit asked him to (Matthew 4: 1-11). He picked twelve disciples and included one who would betray him because God asked him to (John 6: 70). He went to the cross, not because he wanted to, but because his Father wanted him to (Matthew 26: 39).
How many of us have followed his lead?
Some have, but many of us, myself included, struggle to follow even a few baby steps down the path that Jesus showed us. Do I need discipline? Yes! Do I need correction? Often! The key difference pointed out in this passage is how a person responds. To heed is to pay attention to what is being said. A person who heeds a warning avoids the danger. To ignore it is to stop listening. The person who ignores a warning risks coming to harm.
Discipline and correction come to us through God’s Word and his Spirit. Sometimes God brings godly people into our lives to help us with our spiritual walk and guide us. But this is not just about us. How we respond is important not only for ourselves but for those who might be watching.
Application: Always be mindful that our example impacts others, even if we are not aware of that happening.
Food for Thought: What is the “way to life?”
I just wanted to give someone a gold star for the kind things that they do all the time. Then another gold star fir being always willing to help others. Then more gold stars for being a great reflection of Jesus, then a big golden star for not just knowing about Jesus, what He did, why He did everything, what He said and the meaning of His “words”. I want to give this person a big star for ” knowing ” Jesus. Knowing Jesus because they have a great relationship with Him.
Tim,
Isn’t it amazing how our Lord does so much more than just show us the way? He enters into us, takes our hand, and walks with us through our trials. We are so very blessed! 🙂
Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Christ paid a debt that i could not pay. He gave me a path to my Creator. He also lived a life that shows me how God wants me to live. His words and actions matched each other and have never failed me. This life He has given me, this way of living, grows more and more abundant each day. The way to life is through acceptance; acceptance of His gift, acceptance and understanding of who I am internally, and acceptance and understanding of who I am in God.
Nicely put, Chris.
Solomon asks the question and Jesus answers it! 🙂
God’s correction is such a blessing even for a middle child!😊
LOL!
Good to know, Jim! 🙂
God’s way
A,
Short and sweet!
Part of me wants to respond, “You mean I can’t have it my way, too???”
The definition of right: God’s way.
The definition of wrong: My way.
So simple…
The way to life is God’s way and not man’s way. So many want to receive eternal life based on their works or their standards. But God tells us we need Him and we need to follow His way which is His righteousness given to us through Christ’s sacrificial work. Notice that we depend on His righteousness in Romans 3: 21 – 26. See also 2 Corinthians 5: 21.
Christ is the way (John 14: 6) and He is the only way to true, full, lasting life as He is life.
Rich,
It sounds so simple when you put it that way. Yet, somehow, living God’s way continues to be a challenge. I wish it weren’t so…
Thankfully, as you point out, God’s way includes Christ’s sacrificial work. Our acceptance by God does not depend on a legalistic fulfillment of his Law, but rather on our faith and trust in his Son, Jesus.
04-27-2022, Proverbs 10:17, What is the “way to life?”
Our go to bible verse is, John 14:6. “JESUS”
As a younger man I learned that opinions were like noses, everybody had one, and they were eager to let others know their definition of an abundant life. I tried different directions, was successful in business which brought physical pleasures and benefits, but something was always lacking.
One evening I was alone in a beautiful large home, surrounded by my things and God called a meeting which changed my life. Contrary to what others told me, He showed me, my life was a mess and my things were just that. “THINGS”!
God got my first bible in my hands and I joined several hundred men as we daily studied HIS word. I moved to my own home and for the next six years devoted my life to living in semi isolation, seeking Life offered by God through Jesus.
While this was going on, I was working on a very large construction project, responsible for managing the building of 11 million dollars in equipment which was to go into a 17 million dollar facility we were building. It was a very rough crowd of men, but each one was likable in their own way. As time passed I found many began to ask me the same question.
“ Why are you different?” My response was always, “what do you mean” and after they explained, I would tell them about Jesus.
This is the purpose of the life given me by Jesus. HE now lives in my heart, is seen in my life so HE can give life to those HE brings to me. As believers we have HIS life in their hearts and our sole purpose for remaining on earth, is to allow JESUS to minister to others through us. We are seen as different because CHRIST in us is giving to others, not taking from others, is reconciling in love, not dividing in anger. Is giving eternal life, not condemning to eternal death.
Ron,
Your testimony is an encouragement to me. Thank you! 🙂