To Correct And Reprove

Proverbs 9: 7-10

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. 

Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Have you ever found yourself insulted and dishonored by someone you cared about enough to correct? If you approached this person in love, and spoke gently, then they may be a scoffer. 

But if you got into an argument and found yourself yelling at each other, then it could only be them reacting to your negative approach. 

I always need to examine my own heart and attitude before I approach a loved one. Whenever I have skipped this essential step, the response has been negative. 

We need to be naive only in what is evil and worldly, but very shrewd and wise in the righteous ways of God. So we will have discernment concerning the people we choose as our friends, and how to treat those who are scoffers and wicked. 

God sees only in black-and-white, whereas we tend to see all the grays in the morals being acted out among us. 

O my Father, please give us Your eyes to see the evil and the good, give us Your ears to hear what is being meant when words are said or written. Teach us to respond to every person in the way that is appropriate to each one, as Jesus demonstrated when He walked this Earth. 

He didn't question the Jewish Leaders, even when they questioned Him. He knew their tricks, and always answered appropriately. And He knew who of them were unteachable. 

Please help us as Your children, to see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, and think Your thoughts toward us. Help us believe every Word You speak to each of us, and cultivate Your Love and compassion in our hearts and attitudes. 

Then our words will show forth Your care for all of Your creation, and every person You have made, all of us according to Your own image and likeness. 

And You are not willing that any would perish, but that all would come to repentance, realizing their culpability toward You. 

So give us Your words, Father, to discern and find all those who are Your lost sheep; and show us when to keep our counsel to ourselves, to not call down insults or dishonor to ourselves. 

Dear Father, You have honored us in granting us Your gift of Faith to believe You and be born into Your own Family. Please help us to have the respect and love for ourselves that is appropriate, so that we will love our neighbors with that same love. 

Teach us what to say, and when to close our mouths.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!