Proverbs 9:7-9 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
How do you deal with reproof? The wise man lays out the ways different people respond to instruction and reproof. Today is a good day to look that over and see how we respond and maybe even correct our normal response.
The scorner only embarrasses the one that tries to reprove him. Instead of helping he gets it thrown back at him. A scorner is one who considers others unworthy and despicable. He has this attitude even about the things of God. The scorner will only hate you if you try to help him.
The wicked man causes you to get the bad reputation. The stain on your name.
But the wise and just man responds very differently. This is the one that we want to be. If you rebuke the wise man he will love you. If you teach a wise man he will just get wiser, smarter and more capable. If you teach the just man he will increase in learning.
As I read this I am asking myself how I respond. Am I still teachable? Will I allow others to speak to me and help me to continue to grow in grace and in my service to the Lord. Sometimes as we get older we think we know everything and will not allow others to help us.
We may be men of God and wise but we could begin to act like the wicked scorner. I think that is what happens to older men sometimes. I think that I can be guilty of this.
I want to keep serving God as long as I can. I do not want to allow my age and experience to make me a scorner.
How do you respond to correction?
