Stop Trying to Correct Scoffers
Sometimes you have one of those moments where God just says: “Do you get it?” I had one this morning. A friend came into my private cycle class at the gym and spoke this Proverb to me.
I know sometimes we see scripture in a blog and pass it over. I know because I do that too. But please take a second to read it. When you finish I have a question for you.
“Proverbs 9:7
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
10 The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
So why do we as Followers of Christ try to correct scoffers? It tells us right here in Proverbs not to do that. In fact it warns if you do they will hate you. So again, why do we try to shove our beliefs on others?
I passed a church the other day and saw a reader board outside (I have trouble with reader boards in front of churches but that’s another blog) and on it was written, “you are loved.”
I thought to myself, I bet anyone outside the church would look at that and laugh. A lot of non-followers look at followers of Christ and say we are against more than we are in favor of. They think of us as haters. I wonder if our failure to read, listen and do what Proverbs 9:7-10 says to do, might be some of the reason why.
Browse Timeline
Comments ( 12 )
Jed Osterman added these pithy words on Jun 10 09 at 2:40 pmI agree in nearly every aspect of what you’ve said. Considering that, how - in being Christ-like - do you emulate both the Lion and the Lamb… The boldness and the reservation. We’re haters of what? Who was Jesus kicking out of the temple? And who’s tables was he overturning? They weren’t wise men… Was that his priviledge alone? Or are we to exercise that righteous indignation? Maybe what was said on the reader board was the exact shift that the church as a whole needs (which may have been what you were pointing out). I’m just curious about your thoughts. This isn’t an attack on what you said at all. That was a good word, actually. Very challenging.
Anita Huxman added these pithy words on Jun 10 09 at 2:57 pmGood food for thought, Rick. I looked up the word “scoffer” to make sure I understood it. Does this mean we should not attempt to share the Gospel with anyone who mocks Christianity? or who speaks derisively about it? We are commanded to go out and spread the good news to all nations. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen conflict in what the Bible teaches. For me, a conflict means I need to seek God’s guidance. Love the scoffer. Pray for them. But don’t correct them… I’ll need to meditate on this one a while. I think I’m guilty on this one.
Albert Roy added these pithy words on Jun 10 09 at 3:30 pmProverbs defines scoffer for us: 13:1 doesn’t listen to correction; 14:6 seeks wisdom in vain; 1:22 enjoys his way of life. Jesus shows up and judges no one according to any commandment of God. He came (the first time) only to serve. He returns as the righteous judge. Only the traditions of men did he get righteously indignant about because the rules of men made it more difficult for them to find the messiah and life abundantly in Him. Jesus tells us not to judge or else be judged, to forgive lavishly and to love (that’s an action not a feeling) until it hurts. He says that they (unbelievers) will know Him by how we treat one another. Until we, the church, start hitting home runs with this one, expect no change in the world. The scoffers will just hate us more and more and the line in the sand will become deeper as we set up seigeworks against each other. Correction always belongs to the house of God first! Thanks Rick, that’s exactly what I was meditating on today!!!
Rick Dancer added these pithy words on Jun 10 09 at 5:22 pmI think Albert answers most of the questions I’ve seen. Jed, let me try this one on you. The problem with the reader board is our actions speak louder than our words. We can say all we want but until we really LOVE people where they are at, not where we expect them to be, it’s BS. I think you know what that stands for.(Smile)
Let me comment on just this for a second. I think we can share Jesus with others, but why don’t we learn to say less about Him and act more like Him. The reason is we have to die to ourselves first and most in our culture are not really willing to do that. You give and you might receive but there is no guarantee. That’s not why we love people, to get something in return right?
Great comments, great thoughts. I think God is just happy we’re talking about it.
Jed Osterman added these pithy words on Jun 10 09 at 11:43 pmI am glad that God is bigger then our failures. I am glad for the hope God has put in my heart. I believe there are people at that church who’s actions line up with their words so far as it matches where they are in the Process. I wish anyone who took up the Name of Christ could say that… but I am thankful for the few on either side of the walls who love well. =)
On a similar note, I saw ‘UP’ with my wife tonight. The man in the movie loved his wife well. At one point in time his wife tells him to let go of something. In a complete sense of love, he takes a deep breath and does it without hesitation. Its enjoyable how God speaks.
Rick Dancer added these pithy words on Jun 11 09 at 5:29 amJed, I’m not saying the people in that church don’t love people. I’m not saying they don’t mean what’s on the sign. That’s not the problem. The problem is that we as “The Church” have left an impression on the world that causes non-followers not to believe us when we say we love. I too am glad there are people inside the walls of every church who truly want to serve and love people. What frustrates me is that our actions, outside the building, need to speak louder than our words.
Jed Osterman added these pithy words on Jun 11 09 at 12:16 pmI agree with you, Rick. In my response I was just acknowledging the other side of things. I definitly agree with what you’re saying.
definitly not tring to illegitimize the point you were making…:)
Rick Dancer added these pithy words on Jun 11 09 at 12:49 pmJed, are you becoming a politician? I thought that was my role. My former role.
Jed Osterman added these pithy words on Jun 11 09 at 7:15 pmI don’t even understand politics, lol. Was that a political response that I made? Lol - I’m gonna run for president of your blog. It’d be so much easier if I knew what I was doing…
Jocelyne added these pithy words on Jun 12 09 at 8:53 amI have a once-Christian(?) sibling, who has decided to become atheist. It’s been hard letting go of the “how can that be!!!”, and let God do His work…
I’m having to get out of the way even though it is hard watching your sibling become a scoffer. This may be where “…. leaves father, mother, brother, sister…” comes into play for me. He was my closest brother.
Prayer time…
Thank you for this good word. Very timely.
poxehanpcju added these pithy words on Oct 28 09 at 8:59 amyYUuao bstabizdgvky, [url=http://hrjyneyztjqa.com/]hrjyneyztjqa[/url], [link=http://sxofqaepelqf.com/]sxofqaepelqf[/link], http://ncmmkxykuhzi.com/
Agelikerea added these pithy words on Jan 31 10 at 10:02 amGood day!
I would like to present interesting site:
alprazolam nextday [url=http://wellalpr.co.cc/]alprazolam prezzo[/url] ambien buy [url=http://wellambi.co.cc/]ambien overnight[/url] ativan order [url=http://wellativ.co.cc/]ativan medikament[/url] biaxin order [url=http://wellbiax.co.cc/]biaxin buy[/url] carisoprodol espana [url=http://wellcari.co.cc/]carisoprodol uk[/url] cipro generic [url=http://wellcipr.co.cc/]cipro buy[/url] clomid prezzo [url=http://wellclom.co.cc/]clomid order[/url] clonazepam uk [url=http://wellclon.co.cc/]clonazepam suppliers[/url] codeine online [url=http://wellcode.co.cc/]codeine cheap[/url] diazepam suppliers [url=http://welldiaz.co.cc/]diazepam overnight[/url] diet oral [url=http://welldie.co.cc/]diet price[/url] effexor tablets [url=http://welleffe.co.cc/]effexor canada[/url] flomax fedex [url=http://wellflom.co.cc/]flomax rezept[/url] hydrocodone uk [url=http://wellhydr.co.cc/]hydrocodone medikament[/url] kamagra oral [url=http://wellkama.co.cc/]kamagra order[/url] levitra pharmacy [url=http://welllevi.co.cc/]levitra doctor[/url] lipitor discount [url=http://welllipi.co.cc/]lipitor nextday[/url] neurontin medikament [url=http://wellneur.co.cc/]neurontin purchase[/url] oxycotin prix [url=http://welloxyc.co.cc/]oxycotin rezept[/url] paxil price [url=http://wellpaxi.co.cc/]paxil pharmacy[/url]
To greet!
See you!
Welcome to Rickdancer.com. I’m a guy who loves to write, enjoys communicating with people, gets a kick out of other people’s ideas and encourages everyone to get involved in the conversation. For 23 years I worked as a Television News Journalist in Eugene, Oregon. I recently lost a race for Oregon Secretary of State and am now at a point in my life where I’m waiting on God to see what’s next. I invite you to join me on this journey to freedom. You can simply read the blog, we have created a place for you to 
