7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. 8 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.” (Proverbs 9:7–9, NKJV)
These words of wisdom sound much like Jesus’ warning not to cast pearls before swine to avoid being torn to pieces by their madness (Matt. 7:6). The scoffer holds God’s word in contempt, mocking its truth and ridiculing its righteousness. Such a hardened heart fully rejects the rebuke of Scripture and hates you for trying to bring him to his senses. Conversely, how joyful it is when the wise person accepts rebuke. He loves you for the rebuke and grows wiser from it. Which person do you choose to be? Are you the wise person who loves those who rebuke you with God’s truth because they seek your salvation? Or, do you hate those who try to correct you by rejecting God’s rebuke and blaming the messenger (because you hate the message)? Do not be that person. Be wise and accept God’s correction of sin. Love those who are willing to rebuke you in your sin. They are the ones who truly love you.
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