There's an old saying that goes, "Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it.  If it is unfair, keep from irritation. If it is ignorant, smile. If it is justified, learn from it." An important aspect of personal growth and success is the ability to take constructive criticism and ignore unwarranted criticism.

Another bit of wisdom says, "Any fool can criticize, complain, condemn, and most fools do." It seems that no matter how important or successful an endeavor may be, there are people who thrive on criticizing and ridiculing. In the book of Proverbs these kinds of people are called scoffers.

Points to build on

A scoffer likes to correct others, but can't take correction.

Proverbs 9:7: "He who reproves a scoffer, gets shame for himself..."

Proverbs 9:8: "Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you."

Proverbs 13:1: "A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke."

Proverbs 15:12: "A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, nor will he go to the wise."

A scoffer is so wrapped up in his own opinion that he can't learn wisdom.

Proverbs 14:6: "A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands."

Scoffers are motivated by pride and arrogance.

Proverbs 21:24: "A proud and haughty man—'Scoffer' is his name; he acts with arrogant pride."

Scoffers create conflict.

Proverbs 22:10: "Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; yes, strife and reproach will cease."

Proverbs 24:9: "The devising of foolishness is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men."

Proverbs 29:8: "Scoffers ensnare a city, but wise men turn away wrath."

Usually scoffers can only learn through the school of hard knocks.

Proverbs 19:25: "Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; reprove one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge."

Proverbs 21:11: "When the scoffer is punished the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed he receives knowledge."

All of us have to live with the consequences of our decisions and approach to life.

Proverbs 9:12: "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it."

Application

Scoffers will always criticize the efforts and accomplishments of others. When confronted with a scoffer in your life remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt: "Far better it is to dare mighty deeds, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."