He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.

                                                                                                               Proverbs 9:7-11 

Today: Read Proverbs 9

Today, we see quite the contrast. The writer is warning against correcting or teaching the wicked to that of instructing the righteous and godly. First, the warning goes out that correcting the wicked will bring reproach and insults. How true this is in today’s culture. Anyone who dares to speak the truth in a world full of anger, slanderous comments, and darkness could find themselves under attack from the enemy. This is a good place to remind us that, as believers, we are not fighting against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). In other words, the very people who would mock and ridicule us for being Christians are not the enemy. But by their very comments they reveal the spiritual condition of their hearts and as they attack believers, they are really attacking the Lord Himself. Jesus reminds us that as He came to the earth to teach, heal, and redeem mankind, He was ridiculed, scorned, and crucified and that we should expect the same kind of hatred toward us for being associated with Him (John 15:18). The “tolerant” culture we live in is often very intolerant of any rhetoric that uplifts the name of Christ. You will know quickly which side a person is on spiritually when you proclaim the name of Jesus.

But the contrast is that of instructing a righteous person. I believe that one of the best examples of this is in the great divide between churchgoers and those who are not associated with a local church. This is not to say that everyone who attends a church is saved or that those who do not attend are always lost. But what is interesting is that those who truly desire to follow God and grow in their faith make involvement in a local church a priority in their lives. Excuses rule the day when it comes to a lack of commitment but what it actually boils down to is priorities. A growing, spiritually healthy, effective believer will have a hunger for the teaching of the word and will seek out a place in which to worship, grow, and serve. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances, but as a general rule, those who do not seek out a group of likeminded believers demonstrate that this is not a priority in their lives.

We see examples of this contrast throughout scripture. Jesus teaches us the following:

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

                                                                                                         Matthew 7:6 

I believe Jesus is echoing the writer in Proverbs as He reminds us that casting pearls before swine will only lead to a total disregard of what we have said and persecution for speaking the truth.

We are also given examples of how to respond to the waywardness of the unbeliever. When Jesus met with the rich young ruler, He loved Him and instructed the man on how to receive eternal life (to sell all that he had and to follow Him, Matthew 19:16-22). At this point the man, having heard an answer that he could not accept, went away grieving. And what did Jesus do? He did not chase the man down and renegotiate the terms for eternal life. He simply used it as an instructional tool for those who were following Him (Matthew 19:23-26). Likewise, the father in the parable of the prodigal son did not chase his son off to the distant country. He patiently waited for his return and upon this reunion of father and wayward child there was great celebration (Luke 15:20-24).

In each instance, we observe that those who are truth speakers do not chase after those who refuse to listen. This is not to say that the church shouldn’t be involved in evangelism. I believe that Christians should find every means necessary in which to accurately convey the gospel to a lost world however, when rejected, we must be careful not to “cast our pearls before swine.” The wicked will reject the gospel of Jesus but the righteous individual, having already been converted, will embrace the opportunity to hear the word taught and to grow in his/her faith. The wise person after receiving instruction will be even wiser. The righteous person when presented with the truth will increase in his/her learning.

So, as believers, do we participate in evangelism? Of course we do! But discernment in recognizing when our words are falling on hardened and, sometimes violent, hearts is important. We do not chase people down or try to force or guilt them into a spiritual decision. We should be fearless and persistent, but careful at the same time. Those who receive solid biblical instruction show themselves to be spiritually hungry while those who run, reject, and rebel, demonstrate the true condition of their heart.

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

                                                                                                 John 15:20-21