Proverbs 12:15 “A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.”

I can't remember all the times I've been given good advice, but stubbornly ignored it, only to regret it later.  I would have saved myself a lot of heartache and trouble if I had only listened.  It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have all the answers or know all there is to know about something.  When that type of arrogance comes into our heart, we are quick to shut out the good, sound, advice of others.  The person who thinks their way is the only way, is a stubborn fool.  There are many different ways to do things.  Certain events can make it necessary to change our normal way of doing things.  At those times, getting sound advice will keep us from doing something we'll regret later.

In everything we do, we should study it out, find out facts, and learn from others.  But most importantly, we need to spend time in prayer, not only asking for help, but also being quiet and listening.  It is the wise person who is humble enough to realize they need more information and some advice, and are willing to listen to the advice.  It is also the wise person who, when they error, willingly listen when their error is pointed out to them and then make a move to correct it.  The person who refuses to see their mistakes, and listen to the advice given them, are like a big brute animal.  They go storming through life, leaving a path of destruction behind them.

“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is like a brute animal. “ Proverbs 12:1

Proverbs 13:10, 18 “By pride there only cometh contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom. Someone who will not learn will be poor and disgraced. Anyone who listens to correction is respected.”

It is pride that makes a person so unwilling to accept advice. It is pride that refuses to admit a need or a weakness. It is pride that leads a person into arguments and fights instead of prayerfully listening to the counsel of others. It is also pride that causes us to look like fools and bring ourselves into disgrace. But the person who prayerfully considers advice is the person who is respected.