Proverbs 9:7-8 (ESV)

[7] Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

[8] Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

 reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Wisdom and Foolishness give the same invitation. “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! To him who lacks sense she says…” (see Prov 9:4 and Prov 9:16). The invitation is the same. The promises and the results are very different. The verses after Proverbs 9:4 promise honest food and deliver life. The verses following verse 16 promise joy from stolen food, but they deliver death. How do we know which voice we are listening to?

There are two telling clues. First is the promise. Wisdom offers its own bread. I cries out, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed” (Prov 9:5). Foolishness offers the bread of others and focuses on self. It promises, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (Prov 9:17). The first clue as to which voice I am listening to is the message I am hearing. Does it offer refreshment and peace at God’s expense, or selfish happiness off the backs of others?

The second clue is even more obvious. It has to do with ourselves. The chapter warns, “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse” (Prov 9:7). By contrast, “reprove a wise man, and he will love you” (Prov 9:8). Recognizing who we are listening to has a lot to do with how we are listening. Am I able to receive criticism? Am I able to accept rebuke? Am I able to hear not only praise, but critique as well?

Several years ago I spoke for a retreat in Romania. Afterward we debriefed the weekend. The Romanians did not want to offend their American speaker. They said everything was great. The American missionary had some criticism regarding the discussion questions I had provided. The truth is, she was right. The questions were poorly written and did not connect with the audience. I knew that, but I needed to hear it. The Romanians were shocked that the missionary would criticize anything I had done. I had to assure them that not only was it appropriate, but that she was right. We can never grow if we are unwilling to listen to the critical voices as well as to the voices that speak approval and affirmation.

Certainly, there are those who only speak negative words into our lives. This is not to say that every criticism is valid. It is not to say that every critic or critique is to be equally valued. But the one truly seeking wisdom will look for the kernels of truth in even the harshest criticism and learn from it. Which voice are we listening to, Wisdom or Foolishness? One clue is how we respond not only to their invitation, but to the criticism of others around us. Are we able to receive criticism and learn from it, or are we unable to accept anything but praise? Wisdom and Foolishness give the same invitation. Which one will we heed?