Correction?

Let’s read Proverbs 15:4-7: 

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.  5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent.  6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.  7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.

My focus today is on verse 5.  How do you receive correction?  Do you receive it well or do you bristle when someone attempts to correct you?  Verse 5 tells us that a fool despises his father’s instruction but the prudent man receives correction well.  I think there is something within us that doesn’t like to be corrected.  I suspect that is our pride.  Even when we know we are wrong, we are often offended by someone who attempts to correct us.

But if we realize that we are far from perfect, that we are sinners saved by the grace of God, we should be willing to receive correction.  We should hear the correction and then evaluate whether or not it is valid.  If it is valid, then we should ask ourselves what we should do about it and/or how we should implement the correction.  The wise man or woman receives the correction that is given and changes to adjust to it.  The wise man knows his need for constant correction throughout life and he also knows that most of the people who are correcting him really do care about him.

Finally, when God corrects us through His word, we should immediately respond to Him.  He is a loving, perfect Father.  He never is mistaken in His correction of us.  So, if someone corrects you today, don’t despise that.  Evaluate it and if necessary, make the correction yourself.

In wisdom,
Eric