7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you.
But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you.
But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
- Proverbs 9
Wisdom has always been an integral value that GOD has emphasized in the book of Proverbs that all of us, His people should have. Why is it that wisdom is taken for granted by many? Because wisdom cannot be seen but can only be witnessed right after the person has gained fame and honor. Wisdom indeed brings honor. But to the simple minded and to those people that enjoy talking about other people - these are the ones that are called mockers, they despise wisdom. They talk about the mistakes and failures of others and even laugh at them. Why does wisdom tell us not to bother with correcting them? Because it won't do you any good to correct mockers but will cause you more harm. Do not bother with anything at all when you are in contact with mockers because they will mock at you from your back without your knowledge of it.
We should not waste our time correcting other people when GOD has not instructed us to do so. We should rather gain wisdom from GOD and how do we do this? We start by having a distinct kind of fear for GOD. This fear is not to be afraid of GOD, but it is a fear that holds someone in high regard with their deepest respect. This is what the Bible says about this kind of fear. For having high respect and regard for GOD will make you careful whatever you do in life and however you think. It is the beginning of fear because it will make you ask, is this pleasing to GOD? Should I do what I am supposed to do? And if it makes you seek GOD's approval then HE will guide you into wisdom because HE is wisdom, HE knows what is the best for you and has only what is most excellent for you. So ask wisdom, fear GOD, seek His ways and you will never regret anything in your life.
