PROVERBS 9: 7-12
CORRECTIONS FOR LIFE
[2 Peter 1:2-4]
Wisdom has been issuing her invitation and calling us to walk in the way of understanding. She directs her invitation to the simple, the naive, the ignorant, to those who have not already made up their mind. There are others who have accepted the call of the world or folly. We need to be aware of how to distinguish scorners and the wicked from those simply ignorant of the way of wisdom (CIM).
Now Paul was one who had lived ‘ignorantly in unbelief' (l Tim.1:13) but he would heed Jesus' rebuke. His countrymen though scorned the Way, so Paul turned from them (Acts 13:45, 46, 50; 18:6, Mt. 10:14ff). How do you tell the difference between those who might be receptive to the gospel and those whose hearts are too hardened to accept it? It all has to do with being willing to be corrected. The scorners who follow follies invitation are not open to correction. They are mockers unwilling to be corrected and hardened in their pride. But the wise are those who heed wisdom by responding to and learning from rebuke (CIT).
We need wise counsel to guide us in this difficult but necessary matter of reproof. We need to know how and to whom to give correction. But even more, we need to know how to receive it.
Reproofs are like sharp knives, very needful and very useful, but they should not be used by children. The immature handle them rashly and wound both themselves and others. Yet reproofs are often needed, often given, and, often unlovingly not given. When we are in contact with others they see our faults and we see theirs. All men, even the wisest and the best, may at times require reproof, but the administration of it is difficult (Ps. 141:5). Thus we need to learn to be wise concerning reproof.
I. A SCOFFER'S RESPONSE TO CORRECTION, 7-8a.
II. A WISE MAN'S RESPONSE TO CORRECTION, 8b-9.
III. WISDOM'S PREREQUISITE AND REWARD, 10-11.
IV. DIFFERENT RESPONSES LEAD TO DIFFERENT REWARDS, 12.
Verse 7 and the first part of verse 8 enlighten us as to why preachers are so often hated, insulted, and dishonored. "He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself. And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself." (8a) "Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you."
The scoffer [fancies himself a free thinker and] casts off all that attempts to restrain him--be it religion or virtue. A scoffers is one who ridicules, maligns, jeers, disparages, discredits, or depreciates. Scoffers or scorners are self-ignorant, audacious, callous and irreverent. They think of themselves as in the know and are proud of their skill. They take aim at those near them who stand in authority by jabs of wit and ridicule to raise a laugh or sneer against them. They belittle goodness, humility, and integrity.
So the scoffer is paralleled with the wicked or godless man who shuns restraint and sees nothing wrong with passions of malice. He relishes iniquity and is intoxicated with sin's deceitfulness. It is exceeding difficult and costly to teach moral or spiritual wisdom to the scoffers and mockers.
To reprove or correct these types of individuals is injurious. They refuse to learn spiritual truth and their rebuttal brings pain to you. Trying to challenge one who mocks truth, integrity, and wisdom to change his ways will only intensify his resentment and turn him against you completely.
So we must learn to distinguish between the ignorant and the haughty, the untrained and the rebellious, the misguided and the misguider. When there is no hope of receptivity for the message or invitation to wisdom we have given that which is holy to the dogs, and cast pearls before swine (Mt. 7:6f). These are those who are beyond the reach of God's elevating influence and it is worse that wasted time endeavoring to improve them (Jude 18-19). They are like the lady who dashed the mirror to the ground because it showed her the wrinkles of her face.
Yet this prudence must not degenerate into cowardice and compromise of our primary obligation to boldly proclaim the gospel, confess our Master, and rebuke sin. Thus we need to gain wisdom as we walk with our Lord in order to discern the difference. Every sinner is not a scoffer (Jude 22-23).
II. A WISE MAN'S RESPONSE TO CORRECTION (8b-9).
Bless the Lord though that there are people receptive to correction, who want to improve themselves, who want to become wise. Look at the second part of verse 8. "Reprove a wise man and he will love you for it."
There is a double blessing record here, one to him who receives the reproof and one to him or her who gives it. A mark of a "wise man" is that he loves the reprover who tells him his faults. Conscious of his own failing, and wanting to be better, he will take suggestions, and he will correct the error pointed out. He even loves the compassionate and infrequent correction because he knows that it is in his best interests (Lev. 9:17, 1 Sam. 25:33, 2 Sam. 12:7-14). He knows that the faithful wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy (27:6).
Now I'm not speaking of destructive criticism but loving correction. There is a great difference between destructive criticism and loving correction. But where the mind of Christ is mutually exhibited in wise loving reproofs that are humbly given and received, it builds a bond of affection. May our church be blessed with those that love us and want God's best for us.
Let's do a little self reflection here. If your attitude toward being corrected or criticized is, "Nobody's going to tell me what I'm doing wrong," you probably fit the description of the "scoffer" (9:7-8). Anyone who tries to correct you will risk being despised or hated by you. On the other hand, if you consider the correction of a wise person who rebukes you, you are "wise," according to Proverbs 9:8, and you will love that person.
By nature, we don't like to be told we have done wrong. I have had to resist feelings of anger and wounded pride on more than one occasion when someone pointed out to me that I was in the wrong. [You may have had similar experiences.] But later I was glad I held those reactions in check and listened because what was said actually helped me.
Verse 9 tells us that it is far better to invest our energies on the teachable for when you show them where they are wrong they appreciation and esteem you for it. "Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning."
By being teachable a wise and righteous person becomes still wiser. The wise realize that they are not too wise to learn nor so good that they cannot be better so they avail themselves to opportunities to be faithfully taught.
Those that begin to accumulate a storehouse of wisdom form a nucleus around which more will gather, like a small island in a great river continues to receive particles that add to its mass. The floods of winter deposit soil on it. The sun of summer covers it with vegetation and incorporates the accumulated new soil. Wisdom from above once received in the soul creates a place where all things work together for the good of its possessor.
A number of years ago an article was written about CANCER RESEARCHER Dr. Robert Good. He was described as a hard-driving individual with an enormous faculty for new ideas and the ability to make use of any information that came to him. I was most impressed, however, with a statement that credited him with a willingness to recognize an error in his theories and abandon them faster than anyone else in medical research. An associate said, "Dr. Good [love that name] never gets married to his hypotheses, so he doesn't go through the pangs of divorce when one is proven wrong."
Notice again as elsewhere in Proverbs that a wise person is a righteous person. Wisdom is not merely an intellectual power, it is a moral quality or character. The wise are not self-willed or self sufficient but with great receptivity embrace instruction and make use of every opportunity to improve their moral character. The teachable take in "instruction" like necessary nutrition and become stronger and stronger by it.
Proverbs 9 places a high value on readiness to see one's errors and admit them. It describes a wise man as one who wants to learn from his mistakes. When challenged, he resists the urge to get his back up like a threatened tomcat. Instead, correction becomes a faithful friend and a necessary means to improvement (v.9) on the other hand, when a "scoffer" is rebuked, he responds with anger and hate (v.8). Because of his overinflated ego, he won't listen when told he has erred.
We always need to follow the path of wisdom by giving heed to wise words of reproof. To be truly wise, we must remember that at times we too have played the fool! The one who refuses to hear criticism has no chance to learn from it.
Let's take a simple wisdom test. If you can answer yes to each question, you are a wise person. But first, let's look at a story about WISDOM FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S LIFE. Lincoln once got caught up in a situation where he wanted to please a politician, so he issued a command to transfer certain regiments. When the secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, received the order, he refused to carry it out. He said that the President was a fool." Lincoln was told what Stanton had said, and he replied, "If Stanton said I'm a fool, then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I'll see for myself." As the two men talked, the president quickly realized that his decision was wrong. Without hesitation he withdrew it.
God's Spirit is often hindered from working in our lives because pride, stubbornness, and an unwillingness to change, make us unteachable. It's not easy to admit that we may be wrong, but a wise person remains open to this possibility. We are all prone to error, faulty judgment, and selfishness, and others often see our faults better than we do.
A WISDOM TEST
Are you teachable?
Are you willing to be corrected?
Do you gratefully accept a considered rebuke?
If someone criticizes you, ask God, "Is there truth in what has been said?" If there is, heed it, and you will be wiser still! A wise man appreciates criticism. Author Norman Vincent Peale said that the trouble with us is that we would rather be destroyed by compliments than saved by criticism. Most people would rather hear compliments than the instruction and wisdom of criticism. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson's Application Commentary: Vol 2: Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2006, S. 201] Corrie Ten Boom said, "Our Critics are the unpaid guardians of our souls."
[Wisdom PROVERBS 9:9-10
I. Root of Wisdom - "Teach a wise man, and he will be the wiser. "[LB]
II. Reverence and Wisdom - "For reverence and fear of God are basis to all wisdom."
III. Results of Wisdom."Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding."]
III. WISDOM'S PREREQUISITE AND REWARD, 10-11.
Scoffing or depreciating truth, goodness, and insight are the opposite of fearing the Lord. The scoffer who cohorts with worldly wisdom and snorts at the person who aims at righteousness shortens his life. Having turned his back on God and knowing Him, he has confined himself to a prison cell of rebellion and cynicism. The corrective words in verse 10 follow naturally. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
The theme of the book (1:7a) is restated [with two variations, "beginning" in 1:7 is replaced in 9:10 with the word prerequisite and the word knowledge is replaced by wisdom.] This moto is the highest principle in the book and its repetition adds weight to its importance.
The supreme dread of a Child of God is to offend His Father and his supreme desire is to please Him. This reverential fear opens the way to personal knowledge of God, the Holy One. If men do not understand God's holiness, can they truly reverence Him? (Rev. 15:4). This knowledge of the Holy One gives understanding and insight into life and the courage to live life fully. For if you fear God, you'll fear little else.
Thus we are challenged by the Scriptures to a reverential fear of God. It causes us to be concerned about disobeying Him or living in opposition to His ways. It's being in awe of our great God, bowing to His perfect will, and seeking His wisdom for living. By fearing God rightly, we can live wisely in an unwise world.
The reason for obtaining wisdom is given in verse 11. "For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you."
The TLB translates the verse this way. "I, Wisdom, will make the hours of your day more profitable, and the years of your life more fruitful."
Life is the result of the fear of the Lord which lead you to walk in His ways, the ways of wisdom. The multiplication of days may mean length of life but much more is intended. It is the enabling to get much life lived in your hours. Without wisdom life is not properly invested or redeemed.
I once observed an elderly couple at WORK IN THE YARD of their home. The yard was a place of activity as they toiled for a good portion of each day. The problem was that little transformation occurred. Their haphazardness seemed to accomplish little of nothing. Many people live like this also. They work hard, but see little return for their labors.
By way of contrast, an outstanding educator, had a 3 by 5 card on his desk. The heading: Jobs for Today. Upon which were listed the things he needed to do that day.
If you want to use your time more effectively why not try a Jobs for Today list?
1. Spend a few minutes planning how you will spend your day.
2. Discuss the day with your family and seek to enlist the help of other family members in coordinating things so that you all will be working together for a profitable day's work.
3. Write it down. You will miss something if you just keep it in your head.
4. Decide on the important things & give low priority to things that can wait.
5. Don't overlook important long-range objectives like reading a book, or learning some new skill.
6. One way to come at it is to do the simple high priority jobs first. Your success will encourage you.
7. Another approach is to do the difficult things first, and the simple ones will be downhill from there.
Time is your most precious commodity-use it well. Like the apostle Paul, struggle at "redeeming the time for the days are evil." Remember, wisdom will make the hours your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful.
The fear of the Lord which leads to wisdom and holiness is conducive to long life. But does it also promise something concerning your living of live? It is not merely existing for more years is it? A man may exist for eighty years and not really live a full life. Life means a full and happy exercise of all the functions of our being, a full development of all our being. God's wisdom adds more life to our years. To live is to realize the grand ideal of character as displayed in the life of Christ. Paul could say that "for him to live is Christ" (Gal. 2:20).
IV. DIFFERENT RESPONSES LEAD TO DIFFERENT REWARDS, 12.
Verse 12 is addressed again to life's students and the responsibility each bears for their response and the consequences of it. "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it."
"Wise for yourself" means "you personally reap the benefits." "You alone will bear it" means that "the harmful damages will fall squarely on your shoulders." The context, sandwiched as the verse is between the two calls of the two ladies, suggests that the mark of the wise is to heed wisdom's call, and the sign of the scoffer is to scorn it and to follow folly. [Hubbard, David. The Preacher's Commentary Series, Vol 15: Proverbs. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1989, S. 136]
[This principle is also taught in the parable of the talents (Mt. 25). The talents are not first won but given by the master. In the same way wisdom is a first a gift of God (James 1:5) those servants who used their talents responsibly were permitted to retain them for their own use, both the original capital and the profit gained by His capital. Those servants who used their talents irresponsibly were permitted to retain them for their own use nor permitted to retain it.
Character is a personal possession. All that you use your wisdom to attain will be yours as well as all one accumulates by scoffing will by his. It cannot be lost. This is the natural law of matter that nothing is lost thought may change form.
This law of God is seen in Galatians 6:7. "Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." A double harvest is indicated both for time and eternity. What you do is returned to you not only in your harvest of what you become but what you merit for what you have done comes back upon yourself. The profane word, the impure thought, the unjust transaction all seem gone as if the wind has blown them away you have nothing more to do with them. But they have more to do with do. Nothing is lost out of God's physical world, it simply changes form. This is not only a physical law, but a spiritual one. Though paper burns turns to smoke its matter does not perish. Through water boiling turns to steam it does not perish. What you do and who you become does not perish either. This is a principle of creation.
Proverbs 9:12 says, "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone." During the years I have been a pastor, I have seen many confirmation of that truth (Ga. 6:1). The wise who received correction reaped personal blessing. but those who scoffed tended to harvest personal pain and grief. And that return is not only in the here and now.
Lord, I want to be a wise person. Give me a correctable mind. Let me realize that a proof of Your wise love is how I handle reproof.
Jesus' words about good soil in the parable of the seeds (Mark 4:1–20) and about shaking dust from the feet when the message of the kingdom was not received (Mark 6:11) are further comments on the practical truth of this passage for Christian leaders. [Ibid. Hubbard, p. 135]
CONCLUSION
Some one has said that reproof received is like God's spot remover. It removes more than spots from our character. These corrected or repented of faults are put under the blood so that they are removed from us. Christ's death on the cross gives us the power to apply the blood and change our character. Are you taking full advantage of the life He gave to you. He asks us to redeem the time in wisdom for the days are evil.
Are you a mocker or a wise person? You can tell by the way you respond to criticism. Instead of tossing back a quick put down or clever retort when rebuked, listen to what is being said. Learn from your critics; this is the path to wisdom. Wisdom begins with knowing God. He gives insight into living because He created life. To know God is not just to know the facts about Him, but to stand in awe of Him and have relationship with him. Do you really want to be wise? Get to know God better and better.
The wise respond to and learns from rebuke (8b;), add to their knowledge (9:9), and enjoy life (v. 11). But those who heed Folly's call are not open to correction (7-8a) so they suffer (v. 12b). They are mockers, unwilling to be corrected. Folly's invitation-which we will look at next week- only hardens them in their ways.
