By SiHyun

Read: Exodus 35:10-36:38, Matthew 27:32-66, Psalm 34:1-10, Proverbs 9:7-8

Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.
Proverbs 9:7-8

Relate:
This verse makes me think about my current high school life. Since I’m in high school, and we’re all young and immature, there is a lot of hate and drama among students. Students mock each other and say mean things to each other, and they often spread rumors about each other. In these situations, the victim can be ourselves or our closest friends. Personally, I do get annoyed or angry with rumors about myself, but, it makes me very angry when I hear rumors or false things about my friends. No matter how I defend my friend, and even tell the truth, those who spread the rumors and have hatred towards my friend, won’t believe what I say or what others tell them. 

Proverbs 9:7 states, “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.” This verse talks about the “mocker” and how those who try to rebuke them will also get “insulted in reverse”. Even though a person tells the truth, the “mockers” won’t believe it, and instead insult you, for telling the truth. Proverbs 9:8 better explains the idea shared in verse 8, as it states “So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.” The “mockers” will never listen to the wisdom you try to share, and reject your words. So it is not worth it to waste your wisdom to a “mocker”, who will only believe what they want. What this is trying to tell us is that we shouldn’t mind the mockers, and disapprove of God’s way, but be the wise ones who are willing to listen and learn God’s words and wisdom.

React:
Living out this verse may not be quite simple at first. Often listening, seems like the simplest thing to do, if often the hardest. Wisdom may not always be appealing for you, it may differ from your values or desires. However, unwillingness to listen is a characteristic of a mocker, who walks the path of foolishness that leads to sin and death. Therefore, even though it may be hard it is a must to try listening and walk the path of the wise. 

The first step into walking the path of wise is to repent of our sins; and the foolish things we have done. Even though we decide to listen, we will always have sins to repent. Next is to know how to clearly distinguish wisdom and foolishness. Even though we listen, we may be tempted by the things we see or people suggest. So, be able to distinguish between those two by reading the scripture frequently. There is nothing better than learning God’s wisdom from the Bible directly. The final step would be prayer. Ask God for guidance, to be a good listener, who chooses to walk the path of wisdom instead of foolishness that leads to corruption.

Respond:

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for giving us this time to learn and meditate on your words. Forgive our sins, and the foolish acts we have committed that separate us from your words. Give us wisdom to better learn and understand your words. Guide us to walk on the path of wisdom, and help us carry on this practice as we live our lives. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Nearly all posts in February and March have as special guest authors the Juniors from the Christian Living class at Faith Academy.