09/10/2026
Devotions With David
Correction Brings Wisdom
Proverbs 12:1 (ESV)
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
I don’t know anyone who really loves discipline or correction. Our natural first response is to defend ourselves. We want to shift the blame or explain our action. Scripture teaches us to do something else. It teaches us to accept correction because it’s one of the ways God make us wiser. Solomon said in Proverbs 9:9 (KJV) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Correction is not necessarily rejection. There are times people love us enough to correct us and help us become better. The way we respond to correction determines if we become better or bitter. If we can respond wisely to instruction, it will help us become more wise. We should ask, “what can I learn from this?“. As we ask this question, there are some things that we will realize correction does for us. Wisdom lets us respond, correctly. Here are five things correction does for us.
Correction reveals what we cannot see.
Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have blind spots. There are attitudes, habits, decisions, and behaviors that we may feel are acceptable, but our harmful and detrimental to our relationships. Correction can help us see what we don’t naturally see ourselves. When something is pointed out, don’t respond by saying “that’s just the way I am“. Ask God to help you change what needs changing.
2. Correction keeps us from repeating mistakes.
Proverbs 19:20 (ESV) tells us, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future”. This gives us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. Let someone help you so you don’t keep repeating the same thing over and over. Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent. If you keep practicing something wrong, you will always do it wrong. Correction shows us the right way to do it. Learn from that.
3. Correction develops humility.
This one can be tough. Receiving correction requires us to admit we are capable of being wrong. We must have a humble spirit in order to listen and learn from correction. If we’re going to learn from correction, we have to be teachable. Even when we don’t like the teacher.
4. Correction can change our direction.
Many times correction puts us at a crossroads. If we reject correction, we will continue in the wrong direction. When we are wise enough to accept what is being said to us, it will cause us to change course.
5. Correction produces spiritual growth.
Remember when God corrects us, it is not to condemn us, but to transform us. The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12 verse 11, “discipline yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness”. Let God correct you. So many places in scripture talk about trials being for our perfection. Let correction produce spiritual growth.
Wisdom will help you decide if the correction being given is wise. We learn to discern the source of correction. We want to do what God points us to and not listen to every opinion. Let me give you 10 steps for receiving correction.
Pause before responding.
Don’t let your emotions answer before wisdom has a chance to speak.
2. Listen completely.
Listen to what is being said and let them explain what they see. Don’t listen to simply prepare your rebuttal.
3. Resist the need to make excuses.
There may be an explanation, but it should not be an excuse. Ask yourself “whatever my reasons, is there something I need to take responsibility for?”.
4. Ask clarifying questions.
If you don’t understand ask, “can you help me understand what I did?” Or “what could I have done to handle it differently?” This can turn a difficult conversation into an opportunity for growth.
5. Pray about what you’ve heard.
Ask God to reveal what is true, expose blind spots, and help you respond correctly.
6. Search the Bible.
God‘s Word is the ultimate standard. Measure correction against it.
7. Own what is yours.
If the correction is valid, take responsibility. Don’t be afraid to say “I was wrong, I could’ve handled that differently”. If there’s something you need to work on, own it and change.
8. Make specific changes.
Don’t simply say “I’ll do better”. Decide specifically what you will do differently next time. Take practical steps to change.
9. Don’t retaliate against the messenger.
It is easy to separate ourselves from someone who tells us things that are difficult to hear. Be careful that you don’t stop the voice in your life that God is using to help you.
10. Thank God for the opportunity to grow.
Correction can be a tool in God‘s hand to help us grow. We should ask the Lord “how are you using this to make me wiser?“
Don’t become defensive when you are corrected. Become teachable. Use these 10 things to help you respond positively to correction. Godly correction is to help you grow, not destroy you. But it only works if you respond correctly to it.
As always, if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I will do the best I can to help.
