Wise Sons and Scorners

Some people seem to think that this blog is persecuting a certain kind of church. There have been comments made, not necessarily here, that people who oppose this kind of church are tools of the devil, under satanic influence.

There is a problem with this viewpoint.

When parents train their children, they need to add a little discomfort to a child's circumstances to cause them to want to do right. This is a form of opposition. Rebuke and reproof come as opposition to someone's actions. If you have a friend who is about to make a bad business decision and you warn him of the impending trouble, are you a tool of the devil? No, you are offering your advice and trying to protect his interests. When a woman is in a dangerous relationship and you show her warning signs, are you under satanic influence? No, you are offering a perspective she does not have because she is too close to the situation. It is foolish of your friend or this woman to not heed your advice and give it thoughtful, objective consideration.

Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

A real danger comes when opposition presents itself, directly by individuals or indirectly by circumstances, and the afflicted one assumes that it is devilish attack. The man or woman who sees opposition as such will never recognize rebuke or reproof. This person becomes untouchable and a god to himself. There is no one who is above reproach.

Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Proverbs 9:8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Opposition is not always persecution. Opposition is not always a tool of the devil. It may be a wake up call.

Be wise. Step back and take an objective look. The best view is always the big picture.