Proverbs 9

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.


I wasn't getting much from this chapter, so I read my friend Tom's blog on this chapter and another friend Kevin posted v8:

"This verse is interesting in the context of Christian accountability. It can be difficult to discern when we should say something to someone else to hold them accountable and when to keep our mouths shut. This verse gives advice. Now the hard part, who is wise and who’s a mocker?"

I thought yeah I'm not supposed to be judging people so how will I know who is wise and who is the mocker?  Then it hit me, but I can use this piece of knowledge on myself.  How do I control myself?  Do I act like the mocker if someone gives me a piece of advice?  Do I let my pride take over and not listen or even worse attack their suggestions with defensive insults or do I act like a wise person and hear their thoughts and accept them as an opportunity to improve myself and love them like a wise person.

So my thought is use this verse to help be a barometer for myself, do I live like a wise person or a mocker?  I think generally wise, but I'm not so sure that I don't have some mocker hiding in me.  I can think of times Gina might make a comment that has lots of truth in it about my behavior and my response is to defend myself and maybe even make some retaliating remark against her.  I know it when I've done it, but it usually happens pretty quickly and I don't often apologize for my slip ups--seems pretty 'mocker' like.

I may be over thinking this verse today, but it was a thought that popped into my head.

knut