Correcting Others

CORRECTING OTHERS

The subject of correcting others is becoming more & more controversial as time passes. There are several reasons for this. Unfortunately, most of those reasons are not valid. The two main reasons that I see are:
[1] human pride and [2] not wanting to hear the truth.
Another unfortunate item that comes with this is the use of non-Christian tactics to avoid being corrected and there are some who use these devices. I'm going to first list verses that state that we ARE to correct others and then list verses that are being violated when these avoidance tactics are used. Simply click on the headings and you'll be linked to the corresponding verses.

{1} We ARE Instructed To Correct Others.

[a] Verses Showing That We Are To Correct Others

[b] In What Manner Are We To Correct?

{2} Avoidance Methods That Are Commonly Used.

[a]  Making False Accusations To Avoid Correction

[b]  Twisting The Words Of Those Doing The Correcting

[c]  Not Checking Out The Facts That Were Presented

[d]  Saying That Those Doing The Correcting Are Being Judgemental

[e]  Mocking And Being Sarcastic

[f]  Ignoring/Refusing To Hear Correction

[g]  Why These Avoidance Methods Are Being Used

{3} Common Fallacies Used In Argumentation

{4} Possible Consequences For Refusing Correction.

RELATED ARTICLES -
Love Reproving
by Arthur Pink

Contend Earnestly For the Faith

WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT OTHERS -

(a) VERSES SHOWING THAT WE SHOULD CORRECT OTHERS -

2 Timothy 3:15-4:2 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(1) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: (2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Titus 1:9-14 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (10) For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, (11) who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. (12) One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." (13) This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, (14) not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

1 Timothy 1: 3-7 "...remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions."
[Paul's charge to expose unaided speculation and error in the church is done with the motive of love. While we must always teach with gentleness and respect, yet this passage affirms that the purpose of exposing bad doctrine is loving, in fact, the most loving thing a person can do for you.]

Proverbs 9:8-9 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. (9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? (2) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (3) Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. (4) "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
[Note that the steps taken in forgiving someone who sins against you is to (1) rebuke him, then (2) that person should repent of that sin, and then (3) you are to forgive that person. Many people tend to skip step one, but correction(rebuking) is an important part of the forgiveness process.]

Galatians 6:1-2,10 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (2) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, (20) let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

1 Timothy 5:17-20 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (18) For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." (19) Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. (20) Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

2Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (4) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted you may well put up with it!
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. (13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; (11) as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, (12) that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ezekiel 3:17-21 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: (18) When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. (19) Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. (20) "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. (21) Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul."

(b) IN WHAT MANNER ARE WE TO CORRECT? -

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (25) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, (26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Romans 2:1-3 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (2) But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. (3) And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Leviticus 19:15 You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.

Leviticus 19:17-18 You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. (18) You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
[Letting someone remain in error is not loving your neighbor.]

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Acts 20:29-31 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (31) "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Matthew 7:1-2 "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
[The Bible is the measure with which you correct others.]

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (18) For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
[Shun them when it's obvious that they are not going to listen or are only promoting their agenda.]

AVOIDANCE METHODS THAT ARE COMMONLY USED

(a) MAKING FALSE ACCUSATIONS TO AVOID CORRECTION

Exodus 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Exodus 23:1-2 "You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert [justice].

Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And [he who] speaks lies will not escape.

Proverbs 10:18 Whoever hides hatred [has] lying lips, And whoever spreads slander [is] a fool.

Psalms 140:11 Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow [him]."

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips [are] an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully [are] His delight.

Proverbs 6:16-19 "These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: (17) A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, (18) A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, (19) A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren."

(b) TWISTING THE WORDS OF THOSE DOING THE CORRECTING -

Psalms 7:14-16 "Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. (15) He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made. (16) His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown."

Job 21:34 How then can you comfort me with empty words, Since falsehood remains in your answers?"

Psalms 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; [But] I will meditate on Your precepts.

(c) NOT CHECKING OUT THE FACTS THAT WERE PRESENTED -
{Believing false teachers rather than the Bible}

Psalms 119:118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit [is] falsehood.

Isaiah 28:14-15 "Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, (15) Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.""

Isaiah 59:13-15 "In transgressing and lying against the LORD, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. (14) Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. (15) So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice."

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily [to find out] whether these things were so.

Mark 7:6-9, 13 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; (7) in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' (8) You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." (9) And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (13) thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

1 John 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Jeremiah 13:15-17 Hear and give ear: Do not be proud, For the LORD has spoken. (16) Give glory to the LORD your God Before He causes darkness, And before your feet stumble On the dark mountains, And while you are looking for light, He turns it into the shadow of death And makes it dense darkness. (17) But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears, Because the LORD'S flock has been taken captive.

(d) SAYING THAT THOSE DOING THE CORRECTING ARE BEING JUDGEMENTAL -

Proverbs 12:1 1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 15:10 10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 16:22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools [is] folly.

Jeremiah 7:28 "So you shall say to them, "This [is] a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth."

Leviticus 19:15 'You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.

Proverbs 17:10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise [man] Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

John 5:30 "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (3) Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) "Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
[After the Lord has opened your eyes to the truth (removed the plank from your eye), then you are qualified to correct others (to remove the speck from your brother's eye).]

(e) MOCKING AND BEING SARCASTIC -

Jude 1:17-19 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: (18) how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. (19) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2 Peter 3:3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

Proverbs 24:9 The devising of foolishness [is] sin, And the scoffer [is] an abomination to men.

2 Chronicles 36:14-16 Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. (15) And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. (16) But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

Psalms 35:19-26 Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause. (20) For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful matters Against the quiet ones in the land. (21) They also opened their mouth wide against me, And said, "Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it." (22) This You have seen, O LORD; Do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. (23) Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord. (24) Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me. (25) Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." (26) Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor Who exalt themselves against me.

Psalms 31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Proverbs 14:5-8 A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. (6) A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands. (7) Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. (8) The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.

Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

Proverbs 19:27-29 Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. (28) A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. (29) Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

(f) IGNORING / REFUSING TO HEAR CORRECTION -

Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 15:10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

Pro 10:17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.

Pro 13:18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

Pro 15:5 A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

Pro 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

Jeremiah 5:3-4 O LORD, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, But they have not grieved; You have consumed them, But they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to return. (4) Therefore I said, "Surely these are poor. They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD, The judgment of their God.

(g) WHY THESE AVOIDANCE METHODS ARE BEING USED -

Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 15:10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

Proverbs 5:21-23 "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths. (22) His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. (23) He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."

Proverbs 5:12-14 "And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction! (13) I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! (14) I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation.""

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel [is] wise.

Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.
Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? [There is] more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves [as to] whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are disqualified.

John 8:44-47 "You are of [your] father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and [does not] stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [resources], for he is a liar and the father of it. (45) "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. (46) "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? (47) "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

3 John 1:9-10 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. (10) Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
[Some have their own agenda that they want to force onto others]

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR REFUSING CORRECTION

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the [lawless one] is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, (10) and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, (12) that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent [warnings] to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending [them], because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. (16) But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till [there was] no remedy.

Psalms 50:16-22 But to the wicked God says: "What [right] have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, (17) Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? (18) When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers. (19) You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit. (20) You sit [and] speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son. (21) These [things] you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; [But] I will rebuke you, And set [them] in order before your eyes. (22) "Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear [you] in pieces, And [there be] none to deliver:

Proverbs 1:20-33 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. (21) She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: (22) "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. (23) Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. (24) Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, (25) Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, (26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, (27) When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (28) "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, (30) They would have none of my counsel [And] despised my every rebuke. (31) Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. (32) For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; (33) But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil."

Malachi 2:2 If you will not hear, And if you will not take [it] to heart, To give glory to My name," Says the LORD of hosts, "I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take [it] to heart.

Isaiah 66:3-4 "He who kills a bull [is as if] he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, [as if] he breaks a dog's neck; He who offers a grain offering, [as if he offers] swine's blood; He who burns incense, [as if] he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations, (4) So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose [that] in which I do not delight."

Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked, [and] hardens [his] neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.