"CRAVE INSTRUCTION" (An Article by Christian Henry) ~ 6/11/26

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” 

(Proverbs 12:1)

This verse purports that those who strive to attain knowledge (whether it be Biblical or general), will delight in the instructions given to them. This person will yearn to bear the fruits of their training or instruction. Those who seek to stomp out these convictions in themself or others are akin to a dumb brute beast, completely devoid of sense. The difference between man and brute lies chiefly in the capacity of the former for progress and improvement, and that capacity depends upon one’s willingness to submit to discipline and education.

One who craves instruction is a true lover of knowledge, because they are willing to gain it even upon often unwelcome terms. Corrections and reproofs are generally esteemed and embraced. The means of this instruction can come in many forms: the Scriptures - profitable for instruction in righteousness and written for our learning, the Gospel - tells of the person and work of Christ, the ministers - proclaim the truth on Sundays, and even the rod of affliction - people are corrected in their duty to do God’s will. All these are to be loved by the believer, and those who love them clearly show their devotion and Heavenly aspirations in this world. Making use of these means often entails labor, trouble, and difficulty. A person wouldn’t willingly choose to suffer these things if they didn’t love and desire to profit in knowledge.

The brutish individual will often act contrary to their own good and regardless of their own welfare in getting true and sound knowledge. They are uniquely foolish and stupid creatures because they act as enemies to themselves and their own happiness. They are like a little kid who comes home from school during the winter and finds their front door locked. It’s cold outside but warm in the house, so they really want in. They tug and tug on the door to no avail, only to remember that their neighbor has a spare key. However, asking the neighbor for their spare key would require yuck interacting with another person. I’d rather die! “No, thank you. I’ll just freeze to death out here,” they think. In wanting to avoid something they perceive as difficult; they make the whole thing harder on themself. They choose to shoot themself in the foot. In the same way, those who choose to fight against and hate being convinced of their error, because correction might be inconvenient, work against themselves. This person is a detriment to their own happiness.

The person who is open and willing to be instructed in order to gain knowledge is a wise and understanding soul, while the person who actively hates the correction the Word of God offers appears to be no better than a brute. Sinful men hate the Scriptures and the convictions they provide. They always work against themself and others through their hatred of reproofs. Like a child open to being set on the right path by their parent, we must truly want for the correction and teaching provided in God’s Word, even if it’s sometimes difficult to hear.