Proverbs 10 – A Free Life is a Disciplined Life

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.”

~Proverbs 10:17 (NRSV).

The middle section (verse 15-21) of Proverbs 10 speaks of the wisdom of containing things within the golden realm of humility. But whilst we’re musing on such conservative things, this is not really suggesting we should be conservative in the breadth of our thought.

A Good Job Well Done

So-called ‘good’ people are into good things; the essence of meaning to everything they do. They cop the price tag for progress, not insulted by the admonition of superiors. They may even thrive—some might say, eccentrically so—on such disciplinary action. But they know the immediacy of pain warrants a good (better) place in the end.

Disciplined Speech

Patience is the golden insignia of the disciplined. They are inclined to wait on good word as well as deliberate long over things in the balance too.

But we can know that whatever is said by these will be like treacle down the throat; it won’t stick there for want of clean water to flush it down. Such speech is palatable. It’s been worth waiting for; the reply of the tongue.

A Calm Spirit

The essence of humility follows the self-disciplined person. Possibly life has taught them some very cruel lessons and instead of rebelling against something that can never be beaten, the person has decided to become a student of diligence in this existence we know as life.

How many of us genuinely grow when the times are rich and blessing comes ever-abundantly and easily to us?

No, it’s most usually known to humankind that of three ways the spirit goes only one leads to a path few take. This path calms the spirit amplifying a crystal-clear sense of quiet confidence of capacity, and that for life, however chiding that journey is or was.

Condensed Life

The morally wise are a meal in themselves, much as we saw in Wisdom’s speech in Proverbs 9:1-6. Go to a good conference or lecture and leave not empty-handed; the notebook is full and there are many thoughts and ideas buzzing about the mind. There is left a legacy that lasts for days, weeks, or a lifetime in some cases.

Condensing the survey of such matters of the heart is easier for the self-disciplined person, for throwing out the chaff is common trade, only the precious wheat remaining.

The disciplined life of mining knowledge and squaring away instruction for coming seasons is graft worthy of man or woman intent on life, and that of Jesus-abundance (John 10:10b).

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.