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WHY DO PEOPLE RESIST CORRECTION? Proverbs 9:8 “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Why do some people become offended when someone lovingly confronts them with the truth? Why do they argue, make excuses, justify their behavior, or even turn against the very person trying to help them?**Because correction often confronts something they are unwilling to surrender!**The Bible reveals several reasons people resist correction. **PRIDE!** They do not want to admit they are wrong. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” **LOVE OF SIN!** They enjoy what God condemns and resent anyone who exposes it. Jesus said in John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” **SELF-JUSTIFICATION!** Rather than examine their conduct according to Scripture, they defend their decisions, excuse their disobedience, and sometimes attack the person correcting them. **A SCORNFUL SPIRIT!** Proverbs 15:12 declares, “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”Notice that the scorner does not merely reject the correction. He may develop resentment toward the person offering it! Why? Because that person has become a reminder of the truth he refuses to accept. **But there is another side to this lesson!** The hammer in this picture represents someone attempting to help, while the nail illustrates someone determined to hold on to his position. Yet **the stubbornness of one person must not destroy the patience and compassion of another!** Paul instructs. -- 2 Timothy 2:24–25 — “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” We cannot force someone to repent, but we can continue praying, remain willing to help, and speak the truth with patience and meekness. There may be times when repeated arguments accomplish nothing, but that does not mean we stop caring about the person. Remember: A stubborn heart resists correction, but a loving heart remains patient. And before we become too concerned about someone else's refusal to receive correction, we should examine our own hearts. Are we wise enough to receive the same correction we are willing to give?