Proverbs 10:17 pursues us to a point where we must now realize some powerful things about both instruction and correction. The beauty of these two words is that we have already spent a lot of time defining them and looking through the Scripture. What Solomon is doing is reiterating the importance of these concepts.

For example, we have the word instruction. We have seen it in Proverbs 1:2, 3, 7, 8, etc. This is for the wise listeners who are willing to listen, understand and learn from those who are teaching. It is always better to learn from someone's instructions than from the corrective discipline, although both have a point and place, and have to be used at times. The ones who listen and learn from the instruction, the Bible says are in the way of life.

This is not an idle phrase but has a lot of truth. There are, often pictured in the Bible, two paths we can walk. One path is a path of life, and the other is the path of death. The best way we can recognize this is by a hike. There are two paths. One path is clear, clean, yes it can be challenging, but the path is known, protected, and safe. The other path is unknown, overgrown, and everyone who walks that path either is seriously injured or die. Which path would the majority of us take? Why then do we ignore this truth when it comes to the Spiritual life.

To walk on the path of life, requires there to be a strong hold to instruction, to heed and listen to it. Again, throughout the Bible, this command is very strong (Proverbs 3:1-2, 18; 22:17-19). But Jesus continues this in the New Testament. He equates the wisdom taught in Matthew 5-7 to a man building a structure. If anyone listens to His sayings, and by application, all the sayings of the Bible, that builder will be wise, and not foolish (Matthew 7:24-27).

Even the writers in the New Testament calls for all listeners to draw to the truth and hold to it (Hebrews 2:1). This wisdom and instruction is not simply to help us have life after death, but it can and does produce life in this world (2 Peter 1;5-11).

However, the other side of this is true as well. Someone who takes the harder road, the road that requires the consequences and disciplines, is in for a hard life. The word for refuse also carries the idea of leaving, forsaking, letting go, to desert. This word is covered in passages such as Proverbs 2:17; 3:3; 4:2, etc. This forsaking and abandoning is cautioned against this kind of life.

To what degree should we avoid this refusal? It is important to let the Bible speak to this. God laughs at those who disdain wisdom (Proverbs 1:25-26, 30). For those who reject correction, and this discipline is very harsh (Proverbs 15:10). To reject this correction can only lead to destruction and there is no chance for restitution (Proverbs 29:1). But the Bible puts a sharper edge to the failure to heed correction, and draws a line between the wise and foolish. It hurts, but read Proverbs 12:1. Smarting now?

So the challenge is for us, who are the reader, to be willing to listen. Ideally, we need to be willing to keep instruction. Learning from the instruction from those who are wise, and even more so, learning from the instruction from the Bible is the best way. The second way is to learn from correction. It is harder, but it can also help bring wisdom. For everyone else, be cautious if we reject that correction. It will lead to ruin.