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- Feb 9, 2004
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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 difficult. Nobody likes to be told that what they are doing is wrong, especially when they think they are right. However, a wise person takes criticism graciously. A wise person understands that they do not know everything.
If you’re acquainted with someone who believes they know everything, chances are they aren’t truly as wise as they perceive themselves to be. When someone approaches a wise person and shows them their faults or areas in which they can improve, they graciously listen and change accordingly; the text even says they will love the person for it. We must learn to look at criticism as a loving way of others helping us to be more like Jesus. Obviously, there are times when those who are criticizing are not doing it in a spirit of love. But, the majority of times it is for our 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?
Short Daily Bible Devotions
Taking criticism can be difficult. Nobody likes to be told that what they are doing is wrong, especially when they think they are right. However, a wise person takes criticism graciously. A wise person understands that they do not know everything.
If you’re acquainted with someone who believes they know everything, chances are they aren’t truly as wise as they perceive themselves to be. When someone approaches a wise person and shows them their faults or areas in which they can improve, they graciously listen and change accordingly; the text even says they will love the person for it. We must learn to look at criticism as a loving way of others helping us to be more like Jesus. Obviously, there are times when those who are criticizing are not doing it in a spirit of love. But, the majority of times it is for our 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?
Short Daily Bible Devotions
