proverbs 9:9
Proverbs 9:7-9
The Oxford dictionary defines attitude as the way that you think and feel about someone or something.
The word correction is defined as a change that makes something more accurate than it was before.
Proverbs 9:9 says; give instructions to a wise man and he will get wiser, teach a just man and he will increase in learning. According to the Bible verse, apart from identifying a wise person by who or what he learns, his attitude to correction also counts. Anyone who cannot be corrected cannot attain wisdom. According to the verse, if you find it difficult to love those who correct you, you are a scorner and a fool. A scorned is a fellow that speaks to people in a disrespectful manner. A scorner takes offence when corrected; hence, the fellow often plans to revenge by disgracing the one who had corrected him or her. If that is your attitude towards corrections, you are a fool. If people has cause to regret ever correcting you, it is because you are a scorner and a fool. A fool and a scorner cannot be corrected.
Some so-called believers prefer to relocate their churches or assemblies than submit to their pastors and such attitude shows that they or you have not been truly broken. If your pastor cannot change you, who else can? Avoiding the correction of your spiritual leaders puts you at a greater risk. It is only a fool that will dodge five strokes of cane and later get twenty four strokes of the rod. What is your attitude to correction? Do you take it humility or you rebuff it arrogantly?
Secondly, you can identify a wise person by his or her response to questions. Colossians 4:6 says; let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,
That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. A fellow that is in a hurry to provide answers to questions asked, may make some slips. This is why the wise-hearted will first consider what to say and how to say it, before opening his mouth. If you are not careful with your answers you may end up fuelling the fire you intended to quench. Hence, the wise man said; "a soft answer turners away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (proverbs 15:1).
There are soft words and harsh words. Harsh, bad and inciting words emanate from the mouth if a fool; while soft, palliative and soothing words emanate from the mouth of the wise. What kind of words come out of your mouth?
When you find yourself in a volatile situation, are you able to bring it under control by your words? The wise pick their words, they take their time and when they do not have the right words, they ask for more time.
Do you give out right words at all times?
If you cannot be corrected, but you correct others and expect them to make adjustments, can you not best be described as a hypocrite?