Costly Body Language

Read Proverbs 19

If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.

Proverbs 19:27

Body language speaks loudly! Fingers in ears, an empty stare into space, or a turned back communicate an unwillingness to listen. Those actions are often meant to convey a rejection of the person speaking, but this proverb makes it clear that the real harm occurs to the one who turns away.

Instruction describes the means; knowledge describes the ends. Instruction lasts for a limited time; knowledge stays. If the instruction is rejected, the knowledge won’t be available when it is needed.

The child in this proverb is receiving a priceless piece of counsel. Children who have been trained to listen well have been given a life skill they will use every day of their lives. The instruction may or may not be good (“friends” are always ready with “instruction”), but failure to pay attention will prevent the opportunity to reject or accept the instruction. If rejected, the young person’s growth in wisdom and knowledge will be limited. There are few successful adults who don’t wonder how much more they could have accomplished if they had listened to wise mentors earlier and better.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Never stop learning.

Today, Lord, help me remember I am your child. I can’t afford to stop listening to your instructions.