October 9, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 9
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13. A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15. To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

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"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee." - Proverbs 9:8

In today's verse Solomon contrasts the response of the scorner to correction with the response of the wise man. While the emphasis of the passage deals with the one giving the reproof, I believe that we can learn a great deal about ourselves by looking at the ones receiving the rebuke.

Because none of us are perfect, there are times when we need to receive correction. Sometimes that correction comes directly from the pages of Scripture, and sometimes it comes directly from the internal conviction of the Holy Spirit. However, sometimes God chooses to bring it to us through the words of a brother in Christ. When someone comes to you in a proper attitude and shows you a problem in your spiritual life, how do you respond? Do you get angry, and attempt to distance yourself from your friend? Or do you love him all the more and desire to be with him and learn more from him?

If we get angry at those who tell us the truth, or if we hate them for it, it shows that we are not truly interested in having God's best in our lives. We are no longer followers of the Bible, but rather scorners, not only of It, but also of those who would try to help us obey It. However, if we are genuinely grateful to for those who love us enough to show us our failings, then we are wise and willing to put Biblical principles into practice.

How do you respond to reproof? Your answer reveals whether you are a scorner or a wise man.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery