Proverbs 9:7-8

Proverbs 9:7-8

THE TENSION
What is the wise way to avoid the abuse that, so often, can come from the people we give advice?

MY BURDEN
Continually being hurt by people whom you are trying to love is painful.

MY BURDEN
Continually trying to love others in ways that aren’t wise is foolish.

MY BURDEN
Being naive to how we can become/are scoffers is dangerous.

What is a scoffer?
Proverbs 15:12
Proverbs 21:24

A scoffer is anyone who never accepts correction. He thinks other people really need his opinions. He is easily offended. He is above other people. And if someone seems to threaten his superiority, he scoffs. He mocks. He mouths off. He denigrates.
– Ray Ortlund Jr.

SCOFFER
One who regularly resists and rejects reproof and ridicules.

Why are scoffers dangerous?
Proverbs 9:7-8

“It generally happens that when they cannot defend the evils that are reproved in them, they are rendered worse from a feeling of shame, and carry themselves so high in their defense of themselves, that they take out bad points to urge against the life of the reprover, and so they do not account themselves guilty if they fasten guilty deeds upon the heads of others also. And when they are unable to find true ones, they feign them, that they may also themselves have things they may seem to rebuke with no inferior degree of justice.”
– St. Gregory

Scoffers…
1. Lead others astray.
2. Are stupid
3. Are fools.
4. Despises themselves.
5. Will die.
6. Are inviting poverty/disgrace.

Proverbs 10:17
Proverbs 12:1
Proverbs 15:5
Proverbs 15:32
Proverbs 15:10
Proverbs 13:18

How can I not be a scoffer?

AVOID SCOFFING?
* Love your rebuker.
* Receive your rebuke as a gift.
Proverbs 9:7-8
Proverbs 25:12
Psalm 141:5

APPLICATION
* Disconnect from a scoffer
* Keep rebuking those who love you.
* Repent for how you’ve scoffed.

Who can save us?
Luke 25:35-37

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