Yesterday, during my study time feeding on the Bread of Life (John 6:35), I had a question pop up in my mind, and here’s what the question was: Is reproof, correction or instruction opposite of edification? Of course, I already knew the answer to this, but I wanted to answer it for myself, as well.
Yet, I also knew the carnal mind was enmity with God (Romans 8:7), as did I know to make distinction between the work of the Spirit and the work of the flesh (John 3:6).
King David said in Psalm 109:5, “And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”
Jesus said in John 7:7, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.”
Proverbs 12:2 tells us, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
Proverbs 1:23 tells us, “Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.”
In Hebrews 12:11, we find where Scripture tells us, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” ...
