Proverbs 9:7 (Mini Sermon)

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7. Pro 9:7 - "He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot." A. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: i. In the previous verse (Pro 9:6) wisdom exhorted the simple to forsake the foolish and go in the way of understanding. a. Forsake v. - 4. To abandon, leave entirely, withdraw from; esp. to withdraw one's presence and help or companionship from; to desert. b. In this verse (Pro 9:7), wisdom gives the reason for forsaking fools, rather than remaining with them and trying to change them. c. Those who reprove scorners get themselves shame, not change. ii. Fools are to be abandoned and deserted, not argued with (Pro 14:7). a. If you try to reason with a fool he will he will despise your wise words (Pro 23:9; Pro 1:7). b. If a wise man contends with a foolish man, there will be no rest, regardless of the tactics he uses (Pro 29:9). c. When someone shows himself to be righteous in his own eyes, cease from speaking to him (Job 32:1). d. Fools can be beaten to a pulp, and they will not change (Pro 27:22; Pro 17:10). iii. He that reproves a scorner gets shame. a. Reprove v. - 1. trans. To reject. Obs. 2. To express disapproval of (conduct, actions, beliefs, etc.); to censure, condemn. Now rare. 3. To reprehend, rebuke, blame, chide, or find fault with (a person). b. Scorner n. - 1. One who scorns, derides, mocks or contemns; esp. one who scoffs at religion. c. Scorn v. - 1. intr. To speak or behave contemptuously; to use derisive language, jeer. 2. trans. To treat with ridicule, to show extreme contempt for, to mock, deride. d. Shame n. - 1. a. The painful emotion arising from the consciousness of something dishonouring, ridiculous, or indecorous in one's own conduct or circumstances (or in those of others whose honour or disgrace one regards as one's own), or of being in a situation which offends one's sense of modesty or decency. e. Scorners will not hear rebuke (Pro 13:1). f. A scorner will not love you for reproving him (Pro 15:12). g. If you rebuke and censure a man who mocks, scoffs, contemns, ridicules, and derides the truth of God, he will turn his mockery toward you and make you ashamed. h. If you answer a fool according to his folly you will be like him and will be ashamed (Pro 26:4). i. "Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." (Mark Twain) B. and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. i. Rebuke v. - 1. trans. To beat down or force back; to repress or check (a person); to repulse. Obs. 2. To reprove, reprimand, chide severely. ii. Blot n. - 1. a. A spot or stain of ink, mud, or other discolouring matter; a disfiguring spot or mark. 2. fig. a. A moral stain; a disgrace, fault, blemish. iii. Rebuke is a precious blessing which should be reserved for righteous and wise people who will receive it and love you for it (Pro 9:8-9). iv. Scorners are an abomination to men (Pro 24:9). v. Scorners are full of proud wrath when they are corrected (Pro 21:24). vi. If you give holy rebuke and reproof unto dogs and cast these precious pearls before swine, they will trample them under their feet, turn on you, and rend you (Mat 7:6). a. Rend v. - 1. trans. a. To tear, to pull violently or by main force, off, out of, or from a thing or place; to tear off or away. 3. To tear apart (asunder) or in pieces. b. Scorners will lay a snare for those who reprove them (Isa 29:21). c. If you don't want to abused, don't rebuke a scorner. d. This is especially true of strangers or those not close to you. e. But if people who need reproved are very close to you and their bad or foolish behavior is severely affecting your life, it may be worth it to reprove them and stand up boldly to the retaliation in order to stop their bad behavior. f. This is tough love (Lev 19:17). vii. If you are never reproved or corrected by those close to you, it could be that they know that you will reject it like a fool, get angry, and retaliate. a. Your loved ones and friends might just be sparing themselves abuse by withholding rebuke from you. b. Search your heart to know if this is true of you.