Proverbs 9:7-12
 
Prov 9:7 (KJB)
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
 
Reproveth - Instruct
Scorner - Mocker
Shame - Dishonor
Blot - Blemish or defect
 
Here the Scriptures teach us that if one tries to instruct a scorner in the true religion, which is Christianity, will only receive the benefits of the mocker and that is, they will attempt to make the one giving instruction look like a fool. They may bring in all kinds of worldly arguments in their attack and if the Christian cannot answer those arguments, then the people look not at the scorner but at the Christian for inability to answer the challenges. The onlookers will then see the Christian in dishonor not understanding that Christianity is the door to eternal salvation and will then see the corner as intellectually superior. It is the same situation with a wicked man, if he is rebuked for doing something wrong, he will turn the argument around and the one who is doing the rebuking will seem to have a defect in his argument and will be looked upon as one who holds a flawed religion. This why Jesus admonished His disciples in the following verse: (Mat 7:6 KJV) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. This verse tells us that we need to witness but not to those who are unclean mockers of Christianity. If God prepares their heart, they will come to us and seek further understanding but as long as they have the opportunity to mock in front of people, the Christian will seem to have a blot on them.
 
Prov 9:8 (KJB)
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
 
Here is the difference between the two mindsets. The scorner is the one who when he hears correction, will reject it and will reject the one who brought it. These scorners believe they are right in everything they do. The wise man, who receives rebuke will love it because as a wise man, he knows that the more you embrace legitimate rebuke, the less times you will be hearing it in the future because as he goes along in his Christian walk, he makes the necessary spiritual repairs and then continues to walk properly in the ways of the Lord. The person that accepts rebuke is also of a humble mindset knowing that they can make mistakes in the walk and are glad to be helped so they will not displease God in their walk.
 
Prov 9:9 (KJB)
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
 
Learning - Teaching or insight
Increase - To add or continue
Just - Righteous
 
This verse continues the thought from the previous verse concerning the wise man. First of all, if you teach a wise man, he will become wiser because he will add what he learns to what he already has learned. It is like learning the Scriptures. As you begin to learn and understand the Scriptures, you continue in them daily and the more you learn, the wiser you become because you take what you learn today and add it to what you have learned in the past. It is the same situation with the righteous or just man. What is in view in this verse are saved people. The righteous man, like the wise man, will receive the instruction and will continue in his learning as biblical insights are added daily. So if we receive good and proper instruction in the Scriptures, let us never reject it because it makes us wise. (2 Tim 3:15 KJV) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
 
Prov 9:10 (KJB)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
 
Here the verse teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning or the foundational principle of wisdom. To fear the Lord will keep the wise man continuing in his proper walk with the Lord. He knows that if he intentionally diverts from the way of God, the result will be the chastising hand of God. So a wise person walks in the fear and reverence of the Lord and as they do, they continue to increase in wisdom. The second half of this verse teaches us that when a person has knowledge of the Lord, this will result in understanding. As understanding increases, it causes us to continue to walk wisely in the fear of the Lord and as we walk in the fear of the Lord we gain more understanding. Both understanding and the fear of the Lord, go hand in hand.
 
Prov 9:11 (KJB)
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
 
When a wise person walks in the fear of the Lord and continues in his understanding of the Lord, two great results will occur. First, their life on this earth will be extended, unless the will of God shortens it. The wise man will stay far away from the ways of the world and will not be entangled in the sinful paths which could lead to an early death. The wise man knows that many of the things in the world system can contribute to an early demise so in wisdom they stay away from them and good living can lead to a longer life because of less bodily abuse. The second great result will be eternal life. In this verse, days being multiplied and years of life increased, point to the very fact that those who have become saved will live eternally. Even if they change residences by means of physical death, they continue to live on and because they became saved their life was increased and multiplied. Notice the verse does not speak about an end, only an increase.
 
Prov 9:12 (KJB)
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
 
This verse gives us a strong statement of personal responsibility. Since the book of Proverbs is a personal book, that is, it does not speak of imputed wisdom from one person to another. A fool will remain a fool and will not become wise because they befriend a person of wisdom. Every person must have wisdom in their own life, that is, every person who is saved. The saved person cannot bestow salvation upon another person, only God can do that and then they will walk in wisdom for themselves. The second part of this verse gives an admonition to the wise person that if they become a scorner, then they alone will bear and feel the consequences of acting like the scorner in the world. Wisdom will flee when foolishness moves in and foolishness will flee when wisdom moves in. Both cannot dwell together.

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