This Proverb says, “He is on the path of life who heeds instructions, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.” The Bible says that God will reprove or discipline those he considers His own. Who does God consider His own? The Bible says that those who believe in God and strive to live according to God’s Word are God’s children. God is our Heavenly Father, who will guide and at times discipline his children.
King David was a person who God considered to be ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ However David was human and prone to sin at times. God disciplined David, so that David would remain faithful to God’s Word. David wrote in one of his Psalms, “Before I was afflicted I went astray.” David apparently heeded God’s instruction and responded favorably to God’s discipline.
We, too, should respond favorably when God disciplines us. If we are afflicted with injury, disease or broken relationships, we should reflect on the sins we might have committed. Indeed, there is a linkage between sin and afflictions.
Usually, we are aware of our sins. However we also commit sins of which we might not be aware. If we sincerely pray to God and ask Him to reveal those sins, He will do so.
Therefore, if we want to remain on the pathway of life we should not forsake God’s reproof for our sins. We must repent of the sins that we have committed if we want to avoid God’s discipline. More importantly, we must repent of our sins if we want to go to Heaven after we die.
