KingJ
Loyal
One of the most troubling things I encounter among professing Christians is not simply that they hold beliefs I disagree with. It is that some appear completely unwilling to reconsider those beliefs, even when Scripture is presented that directly challenges their position.
A Christian who genuinely loves the truth must be willing to be corrected by it.
Consider what Scripture teaches about those who refuse to learn.
1. The wise person accepts correction, but the fool resists it.
Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
Proverbs 9:9 says that instructing a wise person makes him wiser.
The issue is not whether someone already knows a great deal. The question is whether he is willing to learn when his understanding is challenged.
2. Hating correction is not evidence that you are defending the truth.
Proverbs 9:8 contrasts the person who hates reproof with the wise person who loves the one who corrects him.
Proverbs 15:31–32 teaches that listening to life-giving correction is the path of wisdom, while rejecting instruction is self-destructive.
Be careful not to confuse confidence in your beliefs with wisdom. A person can be absolutely convinced he is right and still be wrong.
3. A genuine desire for truth requires listening before answering.
James 1:19 commands us to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Proverbs 18:13 warns that answering a matter before hearing it fully is folly and shame.
How often do people respond to an argument they have not properly understood? They seize upon one phrase, attack a side issue, or repeat their original position without addressing the actual objection.
That is not a serious examination of truth. It is a defence of one's existing position.
4. Scripture must correct our theology, not merely be used to defend it.
Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans because they examined the Scriptures daily to determine whether what they heard was true.
2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
If we genuinely submit to God's Word, we must allow it to challenge our assumptions. We cannot insist that our interpretation is correct regardless of what the passages actually say.
The question is not whether we can find verses that appear to support our position. It is whether our position stands up to the full teaching of Scripture.
5. Repeating a claim does not prove it.
Proverbs 18:17 explains that the first person to present his case may seem right until another comes and examines it.
Proverbs 14:12 warns that a way can seem right to a person and still lead to destruction.
Simply repeating a theological conclusion, quoting the same passages again, or insisting that an opponent has misunderstood you does not establish that your interpretation is correct.
If an argument is challenged, address the challenge. If a Scripture is cited against your position, explain why it does not mean what your opponent claims. Do not simply restate your original conclusion and pretend the issue has been settled.
6. We must test what we hear, including what we already believe.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
1 John 4:1 commands believers not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits.
These commands do not exempt our favourite preachers, denominations, theological systems or personal interpretations. Everything must be tested against God's truth.
If you are willing to scrutinise everyone else's beliefs but refuse to scrutinise your own, you are applying a double standard.
7. Hearing the Word is not enough if we refuse to act upon it.
James 1:22 warns, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
A person can know biblical terminology, memorise passages, debate theology for hours and still refuse to let God's Word correct his thinking or conduct.
Knowledge is not the same as submission. Winning an argument is not the same as growing in Christ.
8. Pride can make a person impossible to teach.
Proverbs 11:2 teaches that pride brings shame, while humility brings wisdom.
Philippians 2:3 commands believers to act with humility rather than selfish ambition or conceit.
An unwillingness to admit error can reveal that protecting one's reputation has become more important than discovering the truth.
There is nothing shameful about saying, “I was wrong. I need to reconsider that.” In fact, the willingness to do so can be a mark of genuine humility.
9. We must correct others with patience, not hostility.
2 Timothy 2:24–25 teaches that the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be gentle, patient and able to correct opponents with meekness.
Galatians 6:1 instructs spiritual believers to restore someone caught in a fault in a spirit of meekness, while considering themselves.
Being teachable does not mean accepting every criticism or agreeing with everyone. It means being willing to examine correction honestly and respond according to Scripture.
Likewise, being right about a particular issue does not give us permission to become arrogant, cruel or self-righteous.
10. There comes a point when we must recognise that someone is unwilling to listen.
Proverbs 9:8 warns that a scoffer may respond to correction with hatred.
Matthew 7:6 teaches discernment about offering what is precious to those who will only trample upon it.
2 Timothy 2:23 warns against foolish and ignorant disputes that produce strife.
We are called to teach, correct and reason from Scripture, but we are not required to participate endlessly in arguments where every answer is ignored and every correction is met with another evasion.
Sometimes wisdom means recognising when further discussion is no longer productive.
Am I genuinely seeking what Scripture teaches, or am I merely seeking biblical support for what I have already decided to believe?
Would I change my position if Scripture clearly demonstrated that I was wrong? Am I willing to examine the passages in context, acknowledge a valid objection and admit when I have misunderstood something?
If the honest answer is no, then the problem is deeper than a disagreement over doctrine.
A person who refuses to be corrected cannot grow in the knowledge of the truth in the way that a humble, teachable person can.
Let us be Christians who love truth more than our traditions, Scripture more than our theological systems, and correction more than the comfort of believing we are always right.
The goal is not to win every argument. The goal is to be faithful to God's Word, even when it exposes our own mistakes.
A Christian who genuinely loves the truth must be willing to be corrected by it.
Consider what Scripture teaches about those who refuse to learn.
1. The wise person accepts correction, but the fool resists it.
Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
Proverbs 9:9 says that instructing a wise person makes him wiser.
The issue is not whether someone already knows a great deal. The question is whether he is willing to learn when his understanding is challenged.
2. Hating correction is not evidence that you are defending the truth.
Proverbs 9:8 contrasts the person who hates reproof with the wise person who loves the one who corrects him.
Proverbs 15:31–32 teaches that listening to life-giving correction is the path of wisdom, while rejecting instruction is self-destructive.
Be careful not to confuse confidence in your beliefs with wisdom. A person can be absolutely convinced he is right and still be wrong.
3. A genuine desire for truth requires listening before answering.
James 1:19 commands us to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Proverbs 18:13 warns that answering a matter before hearing it fully is folly and shame.
How often do people respond to an argument they have not properly understood? They seize upon one phrase, attack a side issue, or repeat their original position without addressing the actual objection.
That is not a serious examination of truth. It is a defence of one's existing position.
4. Scripture must correct our theology, not merely be used to defend it.
Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans because they examined the Scriptures daily to determine whether what they heard was true.
2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
If we genuinely submit to God's Word, we must allow it to challenge our assumptions. We cannot insist that our interpretation is correct regardless of what the passages actually say.
The question is not whether we can find verses that appear to support our position. It is whether our position stands up to the full teaching of Scripture.
5. Repeating a claim does not prove it.
Proverbs 18:17 explains that the first person to present his case may seem right until another comes and examines it.
Proverbs 14:12 warns that a way can seem right to a person and still lead to destruction.
Simply repeating a theological conclusion, quoting the same passages again, or insisting that an opponent has misunderstood you does not establish that your interpretation is correct.
If an argument is challenged, address the challenge. If a Scripture is cited against your position, explain why it does not mean what your opponent claims. Do not simply restate your original conclusion and pretend the issue has been settled.
6. We must test what we hear, including what we already believe.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
1 John 4:1 commands believers not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits.
These commands do not exempt our favourite preachers, denominations, theological systems or personal interpretations. Everything must be tested against God's truth.
If you are willing to scrutinise everyone else's beliefs but refuse to scrutinise your own, you are applying a double standard.
7. Hearing the Word is not enough if we refuse to act upon it.
James 1:22 warns, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
A person can know biblical terminology, memorise passages, debate theology for hours and still refuse to let God's Word correct his thinking or conduct.
Knowledge is not the same as submission. Winning an argument is not the same as growing in Christ.
8. Pride can make a person impossible to teach.
Proverbs 11:2 teaches that pride brings shame, while humility brings wisdom.
Philippians 2:3 commands believers to act with humility rather than selfish ambition or conceit.
An unwillingness to admit error can reveal that protecting one's reputation has become more important than discovering the truth.
There is nothing shameful about saying, “I was wrong. I need to reconsider that.” In fact, the willingness to do so can be a mark of genuine humility.
9. We must correct others with patience, not hostility.
2 Timothy 2:24–25 teaches that the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be gentle, patient and able to correct opponents with meekness.
Galatians 6:1 instructs spiritual believers to restore someone caught in a fault in a spirit of meekness, while considering themselves.
Being teachable does not mean accepting every criticism or agreeing with everyone. It means being willing to examine correction honestly and respond according to Scripture.
Likewise, being right about a particular issue does not give us permission to become arrogant, cruel or self-righteous.
10. There comes a point when we must recognise that someone is unwilling to listen.
Proverbs 9:8 warns that a scoffer may respond to correction with hatred.
Matthew 7:6 teaches discernment about offering what is precious to those who will only trample upon it.
2 Timothy 2:23 warns against foolish and ignorant disputes that produce strife.
We are called to teach, correct and reason from Scripture, but we are not required to participate endlessly in arguments where every answer is ignored and every correction is met with another evasion.
Sometimes wisdom means recognising when further discussion is no longer productive.
A final question
Before accusing someone else of being deceived, ask yourself:Am I genuinely seeking what Scripture teaches, or am I merely seeking biblical support for what I have already decided to believe?
Would I change my position if Scripture clearly demonstrated that I was wrong? Am I willing to examine the passages in context, acknowledge a valid objection and admit when I have misunderstood something?
If the honest answer is no, then the problem is deeper than a disagreement over doctrine.
A person who refuses to be corrected cannot grow in the knowledge of the truth in the way that a humble, teachable person can.
Let us be Christians who love truth more than our traditions, Scripture more than our theological systems, and correction more than the comfort of believing we are always right.
The goal is not to win every argument. The goal is to be faithful to God's Word, even when it exposes our own mistakes.
