Cultural Conflict

(Proverbs 10:17 KJV)  He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

This could be considered a commentary on the form of our schools today and points out a basic difference between our contemporary culture and the understanding that the Bible tries to give us.  I say “tries” because too often the church has abandoned the clear teaching of scripture and embraced the polluted world view of our leaders. 

When the Bible talks about teaching and learning there is a word that keeps coming up when we read about learning the things of God and raising children.  Here it is the word “instruction” (4148).  This is the most frequent translation and relatively safe.  The second most frequent is “discipline” and the definition carries the idea of correction and chastening.  The Bible understands that while most people are eager to learn the things that are fun and rewarding in our careers and finances, we resist anything that has to do with righteousness and morality.  Modern education believes that you only have to lay out the tidbit in front of a student and if the environment is right, they will gobble it up.  Picture putting a seed down in front of a hungry chicken.  The Bible understands that sometimes you need to force people to accept truth.  That is multiplied in its importance when the lesson involves self restraint or delay of gratification.

So?  Seek the way of life by embracing instruction, even when it says you can’t act the fool.  We love to act the fool.  Or maybe it is just me.