Correcting a Mocker

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.  Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning." 

(Prov 9:7-9 NIV)

Believe me, I have received my share of insults by those who prefer not to walk on the straight path.  I have learned, over time, that there are times when it makes no sense to correct someone. If they are corrected they will only argue or throw a temper tantrum. There are times when it is best just to say nothing more and walk away. It is better to walk away than to end up in a dispute that you will not win and you will end up carrying any ill feelings that you gained during that discussion out into the rest of the world. The rest of the world doesn't deserve that.

There is a whole world out there that needs and desires to hear the Good News. Why allow a mocker or a wicked one, who refuses to hear, to steal the time that could be better used to help those who are wise enough not to refuse help?

I am not saying that there is never a time to correct a mocker or rebuke the wicked. Jesus certainly incurred insults. As Christians, so shall we. There are times when even the mocker should be corrected and the wicked rebuked. If there is danger to others, it definitely needs doing. These things must be done from time to time. Wisdom will help you know when the time is right. But, focusing in on the one who mocks the LORD, trying to drag them onto the path of righteousness should never become the center of your life. Do not allow scoffers to drag you down and off the path the LORD has prepared for you. If they will not hear the truth, then it may be time to shake the dust off your feet (Matt 10:14) and walk away, whether it is family, friend, or foe.  You can help no one, if your whole life is spent trying to help one whose whole goal is to drag you down into the muck and mire with them.

There is a whole world out that there yearning for some Good News, multitudes that need healing and actually desire it, that will listen and be made whole. Go... and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our LORD. Go and proclaim the Good News to all people. But, remember it is not us but the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, that saves.  Once the Word has been shared, there is not much you can do for the mocker, but continue to pray for them and trust the Spirit of God to do what the Spirit does. Be careful that you do not become embroiled in thinking that with persistence you can save them. Wisdom will guide you as your remember that it is only Jesus who saves.

God's Peace - Pr. J