The Wise—The Insubordinate

The Wise—The Insubordinate

“Turn at my reproof; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” Prov. 1:23. “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.” Prov. 4:13.

The wise are easily entreated. They rejoice greatly at each instruction that points ahead in the spirit of wisdom. They are constantly aware of a deep poverty in their hearts, because they know that there is infinitely more of which they can partake. They also know that it is only as members of the body of Christ, in intimate fellowship with the other members, that they are able to comprehend what is the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of Christ and all God’s fullness. Together with the others they grow the growth of the body up to Him who is the head, in covenant with the holy law of submission, by esteeming the others better than themselves. They lay their lives down for their fellow brethren and strive together with them in prayer. They feel responsibility and bear burdens. It is an honor for them to overlook insults, and their love hides a multitude of sins. They are always ready to love both those who are evil and those who are good in the same way their Master did. This is the way of the wise. They are like luscious branches that bear more and more fruit to the glory of Christ.

The insubordinate, on the other hand, cannot bear reproof. They like to pass themselves off as “independent” and strong people. Their steps run parallel to the other members, and they judge everything and everyone with their critical eye. They do not spare the chastening whip, and they usually have the last word. They pronounce their own opinions as it suits them, without feeling any responsibility. Their words are like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health. Prov. 12:18.

Paul warned the Corinthians against being puffed up, the one against the other. They had already become rich, full, wise, and lords without the apostles, even though they had nothing to boast of because they had received everything from the apostles. The apostles, on the other hand, were satisfied with being reckoned as fools for Christ’s sake. They were without honor and weak. They worked with their own hands and were reviled, but they blessed. They were persecuted, but they endured it. Read 1 Corinthians 4:7-21. These “wise instructors” have always despised such weakness and poverty of spirit.

God gives wisdom and grace to the humble, and their staffs blossom, whereas no one has yet been able to get the staffs of the instructors to blossom. A branch that is cut off from the other branches withers away. These instructors are masters at preaching dry doctrines and a few opinions. The result is hard and stiff, but the spirit of wisdom is extremely agile.

Insubordination and lawlessness belong together and are mentioned among the worst sins. 1 Tim. 1:9-10. The insubordinate put themselves outside the holy and sensitive laws of the body and set up their own opinions as a guideline. Thus they have entered into the spirit of Antichrist that sets itself up in the temple of God.

Wisdom says that “the obstinacy of the simple kills them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Prov. 1:32-33. The insubordinate feel secure and self-assured and do not know the fear of the Lord.

May we love instruction with all our heart. We read that there is safety in the multitude of counselors, and that is where we find salvation. Prov. 11:14; 15:22. Let us incline our hearts to wisdom and apply our hearts to understanding. May we call out for discernment and lift up our voices for understanding; yes, let us seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures. Then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Prov. 2. May this holy zeal always be in our hearts so that we can seek, dig, and search until we discover what is right in everything.