The Wise Graciously Take Criticism

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

(Proverbs 9:8-9 ESV)

Taking criticism can be hard. Nobody likes to be told that what they’re doing is wrong. (Especially when they think they’re right!) However, a wise person takes criticism graciously.

If you know people who believe they know everything, chances are they aren’t truly as wise as they think.

When someone approaches a wise person and shows them faults or areas for improvement, that person will graciously listen and change accordingly. Today’s verse even says the wise person will love the observer for it!

We must learn to look at criticism as a loving way for others to help us be more like Jesus. Obviously, there will be times when those who are criticizing are not doing it in a spirit of love. Or are flat out wrong themselves. But don’t discount the times it is be your good.

Take a hard look at your life. How do you handle criticism? Do you have a hard time because you think you know best? Are there relationships that have been broken because of the way you have taken criticism?

Remember Proverbs 9:8-9 as others show you areas you need to work on.