Proverbs 9:7-9

    7      “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
    And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
    8      Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
    Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
    9      Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
-Proverbs 9:7-9

Proverbs starts moving in this direction of nuggets of wisdom. The invitation has been laid out for you to join in this path. This is what the path now looks like.

We see this verse in action on a regular basis. We have entered into a day and age where it is seen as disrespect and even surrender not to answer someone. However, if you discern that one is not genuine in questioning, there is no obligation to answer. In fact, sometimes allowing a question to fall flat reflects back on the questioner. The scoffer will scoff and the wicked man will practice wickedness. The solution for the wicked man is not to act better, it is to get born again. His nature is still wicked, even if he tries to do good. It is only by salvation that he has a new nature.

Alternatively, the wise man receives correction. No one enjoys correction, but if you want to walk in wisdom, you need to be willing to have instruction. The wise are not those who have nothing more to learn. The wise are those who understand the vastness left to learn, and desire to learn those things. Learn wisdom and heed instruction. It will be well for you.