Proverbs 9

Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer

Another poetic scripture describing wisdom and this time her opposing figure, folly (or if you read the Message, 'Madame Whore'!). Both wisdom and folly call out to those for whom life is confusing and has no sense. Both invite you to eat their food, but there is a striking difference between the consequences of which one you choose to be with. If you choose wisdom you can "leave your simple ways and ... live" but if you choose folly you find that in her house "the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead."

So we've established that wisdom is the way to go if you want to live. Luckily, we get some wisdom in this chapter which I think is very interesting. I thought I'd put in the whole section:

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.  
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

One thing that I've struggled with A LOT is that it's not my job to change people. Sure I may have fantastic ideas and have sound logic with a compelling argument, but if people don't want to hear it, they won't - no matter how loud you speak it. It's a waste of time to try and correct (even gently) someone who doesn't want to change. These mockers and wicked people have their truth channel turned way down low and their "only what I want to hear" reciever on full sensitivity. If you try and turn up the truth, they get uncomfortable and hence the invitation of insults and abuse and hate.

Fortunatelty, there are some wise people out there! Thank goodness! These people have found wisdom which begins "in the fear of the Lord" and understanding which comes from "the knowledge of the Holy Spirit". They know that constructive feedback should be well received. They understand the value of respecting other people's opinion when given honestly and in a civil way. These people want to learn and grow and understand that to be rebuked is not a bad thing, it is a loving correction, a fatherly disciplinary action from our God who is full of grace and mercy. To put it simply: no pain, no gain!

So my application is to think twice about biting someone's head off for mentioning my flaws. No one has the right to tell me everything that's wrong with me with the intention to hurt me, but I should still be listening as I know that God can speak through other people as well as directly to me, just in case it is one of those loving corrections. If not, brush it off! Also, I need to careful in what I say to others, otherwise it could completely backfire and make the situation worse as they put on their defensive tatics.

So I pray that today and everyday I can be humbled. That I acknowledge that I have given my life to God and that if He has something to say, I better listen instead of insult or abuse. Thank for your mercy. Amen.

[Read Proverbs 9: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%209&version=NIV]