“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
Proverbs 12:1
There is wisdom in correction. God, in His infinite love, surrounds us with voices of guidance—through Scripture, mentors, friends, and circumstances. Yet, how often do we resist correction because it is uncomfortable, inconvenient, or challenges our pride? The Word of God is clear: loving instruction is loving knowledge; rejecting reproof is folly.
Consider the proverb of the stubborn fly: “A stubborn fly follows the corpse to the grave.” This vivid imagery captures the peril of refusing guidance. Just as a fly clings to what is dead, so too do those who reject correction cling to their errors, unaware that they are walking toward destruction. Obstinacy blinds the heart to wisdom, leaving one vulnerable to consequences that could have been avoided.
God’s correction is not condemnation; it is a safeguard, a divine nudge toward life, growth, and fruitfulness. To embrace reproof is to embrace life. To hate correction is to invite ruin. Every instruction we receive, every word of reproof, is an opportunity to gain knowledge and walk in the right path.
Charge: Today, ask yourself: Am I willing to receive correction, even when it stings? Am I ready to listen and adjust my steps? Or am I like the stubborn fly, bound by pride, marching unknowingly toward a fate I could avoid?
Further Study: Job 5:17-18 ; Proverbs 3:11-12, 9:8-9, 13:18, 15:31-32, 27:17; Hebrews 12:11.
Do not begin the new year with an obstinate heart.
