How's Your Smarts?

Something recently passed around via Facebook is the following: "On the internet you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."

How did that line from "Forest Gump" go? "Stupid is as stupid does." How does the word "stupid" strike you? Do you think it's a stupid word? Do you ever use it? Do you dislike it when someone uses it in reference to you?

Note this word's use in Proverbs 12:1 where we read. . .
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." (ESV)

Oh, you don't like that translation? Let's try the New International Version:
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." (NIV)

What about the New Century Version:
"Anyone who loves learning accepts correction, but a person who hates being corrected is stupid." (NCV)

Try the New Living Translation:
"To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." (NLT)

Or how about the New Revised Standard Version:
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid." (RSV)

Then, maybe we should try the American Standard Version:
"Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish." (ASV)

That didn't sound any better either, did it?

What does that verse tell us? Why is it stupid? Wouldn't we consider it stupid to be wrong and not want to know it? Accepting correction does require a humble spirit, but since we are all imperfect beings we all need it from time to time.

Perhaps what it really boils down to is this: HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE KNOWLEDGE? Do we love it enough to want to know when we are wrong? Don't we want to be on the right path? Don't we want to be wise? Then the SMART thing to do in our pursuit of knowledge is to accept the direction of correction. Though the SMART thing may SMART at times (hurt our ego, our attempt to save face, etc.) we should rejoice at the opportunity to see clearly changes that need to be made. Therefore, let us be SMART! LOVE KNOWLEDGE! Even if it means accepting correction.

Have a SMART DAY ACCEPTING THE LIFEGIVING DIRECTION GOD PROVIDES!
Carl
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[The core of this focus was originally sent 06/03/1998 (Edited some with new introduction and with passage from ESV added)]

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