A brute is one who’s lacking in the higher human faculties of reason, moral understanding and teachability — animal-like, insensitive and callous to moral, social, and ethical nuance. (2Pe 2:12-13, Ju 10) We ought to be quick to correct any behavior God identifies as brutish.
Strikingly, God defines a brutish person in very simple terms: one who hates reproof: “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” (Pr 12:1) We should examine this carefully and take heed to our ways. (Ps 119:9) What does it mean to hate reproof?
Reproof is direct rebuke, correction or reprimand that points out fault, error, or sin in order to bring about repentance, change or growth. (2Ti 4:2) This includes constructive criticism as well as harsh, malicious accusation. Hate is a deep-seated aversion or strong contempt that leads one to despise, resent, or treat something as worthless or uninteresting.
So, when we receive negative input about ourselves, even if we eventually find it helpful, if our initial reaction is resentful and negative rather than curious and welcoming, we should acknowledge our tendency towards brutishness and cleanse ourselves of this filthiness of spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2Co 7:1)
Since nearly everyone finds criticism unpleasant, uncomfortable and at times even painful, this is certainly a tall order. After all, who likes to be criticized? Evidently, we all need grace in this area. (He 4:16) Simply acknowledging our need is a necessary first step (Pr 30:2), but this is insufficient. How do we cultivate a spirit that embraces criticism and reproof? (Ps 141:5)
We might begin by noting we have nothing at all in this life except holiness (He 12:14), the treasure of our own personal relationship with God. (2Co 4:7) This is all we’re taking with us out of this world (1Ti 6:7); everything else — family, friends, health, wealth, possessions (1Co 7:29-31), it’s all a momentary mist, a vapor vanishing without a trace. (Ja 4:14)
So, anything that might strengthen and deepen our walk with God, pointing out some area where there is potential to increase in holiness, purity, uprightness, wisdom, endurance and understanding, this is in fact eternally and immeasurably priceless. (1Pe 1:7)
Then we might observe that among all the available sources of instruction in holiness, such as scripture in general (2Ti 3:16-17) and Torah in particular (Pr 6:23a), godly counsel (Pr 20:5) and reproof (Pr 6:23b), reproof stands out as the one which exposes our blind spots and prejudices more directly. As Benjamin Franklin wisely quipped, “The sting of a reproach is the truth of it.”
So, when someone criticizes us, wisdom doesn’t make excuses or point out their flaws in self-defense, concern itself with their motivation or with what others might think of us. If we value instruction in holiness, we look for any truth we can find in their criticism and correction as if it were gold. (Pr 8:10-11)
Ultimately, the only way to genuinely value criticism — rather than merely enduring or reframing it — is to see it through the lens of eternity. When our highest treasure is a deepening walk with God, every truthful reproof becomes priceless, because it touches the one thing we’re taking with us. Everything else — comfort, reputation, even human approval — is temporary. In this light, the sting of correction is no longer an enemy, but a friend that draws us closer to the One Who matters most. (Php 3:7-11)
When trials become bewilderingly complex and difficult, exposing our weakness and lack of faith, we count it all joy, knowing God is working patient endurance in us. (Ja 1:1-2) Every failure then becomes an opportunity to improve, to grow in steadfastness (1Co 15:58), wisdom and understanding. (Job 23:10)
When our goal is to be closer to God today than we were yesterday (1Th 5:23-24), by faith we can see life happening for us rather than to us. (Ro 8:28) We experience God’s faithfulness in what we might otherwise consider affliction. (Ps 119:75) God knows best how to overcome the world in us (2Pe 2:9); He is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before Himself with exceeding joy. (Ju 24)