“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”
Because I tend to act quickly and think things through afterward, I find myself apologizing for and correcting my mistakes more often than I should. My wife used to joke that her role in our ministry was to go behind me and apologize to those I offended with some hasty decision. When I first read this verse as a business leader, I thought not rebuking a mocker meant simply firing them. However, that was my typical knee-jerk response. Thankfully, after many years and many foolish reactions, I know better. There are ways to attempt to correct someone who doesn’t particularly like correction. In this verse, Solomon is referring to the person who is either not wise enough or simply too proud to receive correction. They are close to being a lost cause. But treating everyone who resists rebuke as if they are one of them can be a painful and unnecessary mistake. We really cannot ignore mockers forever; however, there are times when doing so is wise in the moment. We see it in children. If they are not ready to receive correction, it can be exasperating for them. Sometimes we do best to let them watch and learn. “It is not proper,” says St. Gregory, “for the good man to fear lest the scorner should utter abuse at him when he is chidden, but lest, being drawn into hatred, he should be made worse.” (Pulpit Commentary) This may be as much about timing and discernment as anything else. Today, let God give you discernment. #BeTheEdge
“Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.” Psalm 141:5 NIV
