Have You Ever Known Anyone Broken Beyond Repair?

You can see the attitude by the physical posture. Jaws clenched, body tense, eyes squeezed into a squint. If seated, they might actually stand. They will not listen to or accept what you say. They are braced for action, or more accurately, braced to reject.

• You might see such a reaction in a teen whose father is giving her a reprimand.
• You might see such a reaction in an employee whose boss is giving him strong correction regarding his work performance.
• You might see such a reaction in a person who simply does not want to listen to instruction.

In the Bible this overall outward posture of rejection is sometimes referred to as a ‘stiff neck’ or a ‘hardened neck.’ Solomon, has a something to say, a warning:

     A man who hardens his neck after much reproof

     Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

     --Proverbs 29:1

The person who receives correction over and over, but continually ‘hardens his neck’ is the person who rejects instruction, rejects correction, and rejects discipline. This person is elsewhere called the ‘scoffer.’ He is unteachable.

Ultimately, he will be broken, but still unteachable.

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We must humble ourselves so that we can carry on a civil conversation with others when there is a disagreement. We must insure that we keep our hearts soft and able to accept instruction, accept correction, and accept discipline.

The warning is to each of us. ‘Harden your neck’ too often and you will become the scoffer! And you will eventually be broken beyond repair.

Be wise, be humble.