Proverbs 9:9

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them. 

Proverbs 9:9 (ESV)

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

When you correct someone it reveals what their character is like. In Proverbs 9:7-9 we have a series of Proverbs that talk about what happens when you try to correct a scoffer … a fool. If you do you will only compile hurt to yourself. But, if you correct a wise person they will become even wiser. So, how a person takes your correction gives you a good indication as to how much more correction they should be given. Don't waste your time on the fool who rejects sound teaching and correction for it will only hurt you and do nothing for them.  The fool is someone who so rejects the truth of God's Word that they fail to understand and respond.  Their hearts will become hard and you will see that hardness in their reaction and rejection of God's truth.  It should be noted, however, that Proverbs is about wisdom.   When we see what the fool does, we need to know that wisdom responds differently.   Those who are wise will take the correction when it comes.   The righteous accept teaching ... in any form.   Even discipline and suffering is a teacher to the righteous.   The fool can not take correction.  The righteous can.  He learns from every teacher. We can become stronger as we listen to righteousness.