189. PRO 15:32. IMPORTANCE OF SOUL INSTRUCTION

Pro_15:32. Importance of Soul Instruction

"He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul."’97Pro_15:32.

The text refers, I. To Instruction for the Soul. II. The Refusal of that Instruction And, III. The Folly and Evil of that Refusal. "Such despise their own souls."

The text refers,

I. To Instruction for the Soul.

1. The soul requires instruction.

In a state of ignorance and spiritual dark ness. This is not accidental but natural Not partially so, but universally applicable to the whole human race, "Darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the hearts of the people."

2. God has provided instruction.

By his works of creation and providence "The heavens declare," &c. Psalms 19 :., Rom_1:20. In his blessed word. Full revelation of his mind. "Scriptures able to make us wise unto salvation," &c. Psa_19:7, &c. By the preaching of his gospel. Ministers are sent to turn men from darkness to light, &c. Christ brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. But,

3. The employment of our own powers is requisite to the reception of instruction.

God’s works must be considered. His word read. His gospel heard, &c. Attention’97reflection’97candor’97faith’97diligence, are all necessary to the reception of instruction. Notice,

II. The Refusal of Instruction.

"He that refuseth," &c.

1. Some refuse all the means of instruction.

They reflect not’97read not’97hear not.

2. Some refuse to consider instruction.

"Israel doth not know, my people will not consider."

3. Others refuse to obey instruction.

They read and they hear, but they are not wise, and remain disobedient to the authority of God. "Hearers, but not doers of the word."

III. The Folly and Evil of such a Refusal.

"He that refuseth instruction despiseth ills own soul."

For an uninstructed soul is,

(1) In a state of degradation.

(2) Necessarily unhappy.

(3) Will inevitably be lost. "My people perish for lack of knowledge." Ignorance is the poison, the disease, the death of the soul. How foolish and wicked it is to refuse instruction, if you consider further,

1. That our souls are capable of unbounded and everlasting improvement.

2. That they are indescribably precious, in the estimation of devils, angels, and of the blessed God.

3. That the) have been redeemed by Christ’s unspeakably precious blood.

4. That they are destined to live forever.

5. If lost through ignorance, they will be totally, eternally, and irreparably lost.

6. These souls, too, are ours, "his own soul;" so that to lose our own souls is self-murder, the wilful destruction of our happiness and peace forever.

Application

1. Urge the sinner to serious consideration as to his true state and character in the sight of God. 2. The necessity of receive ing and improving the means of saving knowledge. 3. The utter and inexplicable folly of those who despise and allow their own souls to perish.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS