Proverbs 28:9

9 If you refuse to obey what you have been taught, your prayers will not be heard.

Proverbs 28:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:9

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law
Not merely the moral law, but the word of God in general, and any and every doctrine of it; though the law is to be heard and attended to, what it commands and forbids, its precepts, menaces, and curses: indeed the Spirit of God is not received by the hearing of the law, nor does faith come by that; but by hearing the word of God, particularly the Gospel; which yet then turn away their ears from, and are turned to fables, and choose to hearken to anything rather than that; and, like the deaf adder, stop their ears to the voice of the charmer, charming ever so wisely; the folly and sad effects of which will be seen when too late; even his prayer [shall be] abomination;
that is, to God; not only his ungodly actions, but even his outward exercises of religion, which carry in them some show of goodness and holiness; and particularly his prayer to God, which in upright persons is the delight of the Lord; yet in such an one it will be abhorred by him; when he is in distress, and shall pray to the Lord, he will not only turn a deaf ear to him, as he has to his law or word, but he will despise and abhor him and his prayer; because he has set at nought his counsel, and despised his reproof, ( Proverbs 1:24-28 ) .

Proverbs 28:9 In-Context

7 Children who obey what they have been taught are smart, but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.
8 Some people get rich by overcharging others, but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.
9 If you refuse to obey what you have been taught, your prayers will not be heard.
10 Those who lead good people to do wrong will be ruined by their own evil, but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise, but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.