Is It Ok To Call People Stupid

Is it ok to call people stupid? Most parents would tell their children that it is not ok to do that. So what do we do with this verse?

Whoever hates correction is stupid. - Proverbs 12:1

Before we get too defensive of the Bible using the word ‘stupid’, let’s remember that there are plenty of parts of the Bible that parents haven’t/shouldn’t let their kids read (think of the Levite who dismembers a girl from his harem, think of the sensuality of Song of Solomon, etc.). The bible is super graphic sometimes and definitely not politically correct - so handling it with care is always wise.

But sometimes a direct challenge can be helpful. Calling someone ‘stupid’ might just do the trick. Sure, it’s a stern word, but let’s be honest - sometimes we do really stupid things. And the book of Proverbs is seldom nuanced enough to separate out doing from being (today it’s okay to say we acted stupid, but not ok to say we are stupid - the latter is shaming).

But take a moment and let in this little verse of scripture. Think over the last season of time and see if you can come up with a way in which God might have been trying to graciously correct you. Did you listen? Or were you stupid?