Proverbs 10:17 (ESV)
¹⁷  Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

How well do you listen to instructions?  Solomon was speaking here of corrective instructions.  Some just do not do well when it comes to receiving constructive criticism.  Pride stops people from seeing that they are doing something wrong and need to change course.

Being able to receive instructions from others is a sign of good character.  Apollos demonstrated this when he was taken aside by Priscilla and Aquila.  

Acts 18:24-27 (ESV)
²⁴  Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. ²⁵  He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.  ²⁷  And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,

It is clear from this passage that Apollos was humble enough to receive and apply the instruction of Priscilla and Aquila.  He could not have helped anyone otherwise.  While we do not have a lot of information about Apollos’ work after this, we have enough to know that he became a companion of Paul and an effective worker in the kingdom of God.  It would have been much different if he was not wise enough to listen to the instruction he received.

An even greater example of having the willingness to listen to instruction is found in Galatians 2. 

Galatians 2:11-13 (ESV)
¹¹  But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹²  For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³  And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

Proving that Peter was not infallible in behavior, he acted hypocritically when visiting with the brethren at Antioch.  He ate with Gentiles until some Jews from Jerusalem came to town, then he withdrew himself from them, resulting in Paul rebuking him publicly.

Most men in Peter’s position would have lashed out at Paul, being offended that someone would criticize an apostle of Christ, and probably even hold a grudge against him because of this public humiliation.  Peter did not, but, instead, he accepted Paul’s rebuke and repented.  I know this because if he had not, he would have continued in sin, and the scriptures certainly would have noted such.  Furthermore, he later referred to Paul affectionately as a beloved brother (2 Peter 3:15).

These are good examples for us to follow.  No one likes to be criticized, even when it comes from a place of love.  Nevertheless, we all need it from time to time, not just from people, but just by studying the Bible, the greatest source of instruction that we have (2 Timothy 3:16).  Some are too proud to even listen to the Word of God and allow themselves to be corrected.  Let us be humble enough to accept instruction, remembering that heeding instruction leads to life.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.