How do we respond to correction or criticism? Proverbs 9:8 describes two different responses. The Bible says "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee." The word reprove means to criticize or correct, especially gently. The word rebuke means to express sharp or stern disapproval of. The Word of God tells us that a scorner will not accept gentle correction, but a wise man will accept sharp or even stern correction. No one is ever really excited about criticism, but how we respond speaks volumes about our character. Winston Churchill once said, “Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” The scorner will hate (become an enemy of) the people who correct or criticize him, but a wise man will love (become a friend of) the people who correct or criticize even in a sharp way. Many time we do not like the source or the spirit of correction or criticism, but wisdom looks at the truth and makes the proper adjustments. How do we respond when someone sheds light on our shortcomings or imperfections? A scorner will despise correction, but a wise man or woman will embrace it.