Wise PeopleProverbs 15:31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.  The kind of wise person the Bible is referencing in this verse possesses an essential personal trait that is apart from intelligence. You can be a highly intelligent person, yet not have this ability. This ability is to be able to fully listen to someone confronting them about their own behavior, take it in and fully own it, taking a deep breath and then deeply apologizing, wisely learning from it, and here’s the biggest takeaway, they behave differently from having been corrected. The most common response to correction is acting with defensive anger and then continuing to turn against the person who brought the correction. A wise person will actually be grateful that someone cared enough to talk to them concerning their mistakes or errors. Proverbs 9:8 NLT says, “Correct the wise, and they will love you.” When you are dealing with a wise person, the conversation will feel open, tender-hearted, and fully engaged and and really listening. Excuses are not readily made, nor is blame shifted to someone else, nor do they try to avoid the consequences by pushing off and shirking their responsibility. The discussion goes well, and it ends well, listening, caring, learning, feeling sorry, and open to directions for change. This is the atmosphere for deep honesty and deeper exchange if someone has been hurt in what has happened for reconciliation to occur. This can only happen if the person is wise. Unfortunately, there are not that many wise people today. The Bible speaks often about mockers and fools. They are the very opposite of the wise. Wise people will do well when corrected or confronted, Mockers or fools will get their dander up and become defensive and will come up with all kinds of excuses and blame shifting to try to deflect from their own behavior. Proverbs 9:5-9 tells us, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still.” These unwise do not even come close to taking full responsibility for what they have done or how they have hurt you. They usually blame you or someone else for what has happened. When a discussion over the happenings is in process, they are very defensive, angry and attacking. Proverbs 9:7 tells us, “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.” Don’t give up hope for this person! Matthew 18:15-18 gives us clear direction how to deal with this kind of person. Take time today to carefully read God’s way of dealing with them and pray for God’s skillfulness and wisdom how to proceed from there. What about you? Are you in a hard situation with someone who is very unwise? Do you feel like running in the opposite direction? Seek the Lord for His wisdom. Heed the direction of the Scriptures and listen to how the Lord would lead you. God has answers for each and every situation. Blessings and peace on your day.

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