Old Dogs and New Hearts

(Proverbs 5:12 KJV)  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Hindsight is 20/20, or so they say.  I am not so sure of that.  If we could see the past clearly it would surely help us change our choices now.  After all, we are supposed to learn from our mistakes.  I think that too often we do what the psychologists call “rationalization.”  We find all kinds of excuses and explanations for why we were not successful.

The point that could be made from this verse is that as long as we are alive, it is not too late to look back and say, “I was wrong.”  It is called repentance.

This is where the patience of God comes on strong.  His desire is that we come to the point of awareness and honesty.  Sure, I “hated” (8130) “instruction” (4148).  The question is, am I ready now or am I still into playing games?

Remember the words of Peter

(2 Peter 3:9 KJV)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

So?  You can teach an old dog new tricks and you can teach an old sinner, if he has a new heart.  Get in your application if you have been putting it off.