Courageous, Constructive Criticism

Read Proverbs 9

Don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.

Proverbs 9:8

Why shouldn’t we rebuke a mocker? Because a mocker hears without listening. A mocker pays attention only to mimic, ridicule, and humiliate. Even a mild rebuke will be returned as mockery, while an effective rebuke will simply be met with hatred.

Wise people don’t enjoy being told they’re wrong, but they understand that a truthful rebuke reflects love. So, where a mocker hears only more fodder for ridicule, a wise person hears an expression of love.

When we have people in our lives who are willing to rebuke us when necessary, we should be thankful. We should also be courageous enough to rebuke someone we love if we realize that he or she needs it. A rebuke given with love will help the other person. Hopefully, he or she will understand our motivation of love. And perhaps we will recognize that several of the rebukes we have received were actually expressions of love.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Rebukes complement wisdom.

Lord, help me rebuke lovingly. Help me also to hear the love in the rebukes of others.