Proverbs 23:9

Do not speak to be heard by a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. (NASB)

Have you ever tried giving someone sound advice and at first you thought they just didn’t understand you? So you explained yourself again and they still didn’t get it? Then after a while you realize that they are just refusing to believe. They had made up their minds:

• What they want to do
• What or who they want to believe
• What consequences they will ignore

And finally, they even started getting angry at you and mocking you.

You realized that you can talk until you are “blue in the face” and they will reject sound advice, and even have an attitude with the rejection. Well that’s what this Proverb is about. The Bible says to stop wasting your time trying to convince them. Not only will they ignore wisdom, they will “despise” wisdom. Why? Because of a mindset, one where they will not only reject wisdom but intentionally show hostility and disrespect towards wisdom. All you can do is let the “consequences talk to them” later to get the point across.

But before you become too judgmental, ask yourself if God has been trying to tell you something. Are you rejecting sound wisdom because its not what you want to hear or do? Have you gotten a little irritated at the person who has been delivering the advice, or frustrated about your circumstances? Have you gotten irritated at God because things haven’t turned out like you wanted or expected, after you rejected the advice?

Be attentive, receptive and obedient to God’s wisdom (His Word) and godly advice from others. If God has to repeatedly tell you things until He is “blue in the face”, so to speak, He may let circumstances “talk” to you, and they will definitely get your attention.