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Here we having a proverb relating to wisdom's invitation. The first part of the verse instructs the true child of God not to reprove a scorner. A scorner is a spiritual picture of an unsaved individual. It is interesting to note the Hebrew word for scorner can be defined as "interpreter" or "to be inflated". This refers not only to those who hold the truths of the gospel in contempt, but also the self-righteous:
"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." (Matthew 7:6).
The latter half of this proverb tells us that when we reprove a wise man he will love thee. This points to the fact that when we share the gospel with a fellow believer and sharpen them, they will be glad and joyful should they find any doctrine they may be holding be in error as they continually seek to fine tune every drop of heavenly doctrine given by the Holy Spirit through the written word. An evidence of salvation in a persons life is a continual ongoing desire for doing God's will and the desire to grow in grace, pure and in truth. This is also spoken of in the Psalms where we find this prayer for sanctification and redemption:
"Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." (Psalm 141:5).
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