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(presented by Lisa Bishop)
How do you respond to correction?
Think about a time when someone called you out for ungodly behavior. An impatient or reactive response, fudging something at work, wavering in your faithfulness in your marriage, or telling a white lie. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in your small group, what was your reaction when your behavior was confronted?
We all experience times when we speak, act, and live in ways that are not in alignment with how we are called to be as a follower of Jesus. Ways that are harmful to ourselves, to our relationships, and to our witness. The key is, are you open to correction, or do you respond with defensiveness, denial, or deflection when someone points out a shortcoming?
In Psalm 141:5, King David prays,
“Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”
David, a king, asked for correction and called it kindness. And when he says it is oil on his head he is saying that being confronted with the truth and having his flaws exposed is soothing medicine! What an attitude of humility. How often do we see people protecting themselves from correction, yet King David intentionally invites trustworthy men to shine a light on anything in his life that was not pleasing to God.
Do you invite that type of correction in your life?
To grow in your role as a co-worker, leader, friend, parent, or spouse; to progress and mature spiritually, you need a few faithful friends who are willing to point out when your life does not reflect who you are in Jesus.
When your words or actions do not align with those of a spirit-filled follower of Christ, rebukes from the righteous, offered in love, are one of the keys to holiness and living a faithful and fruitful life. Now this is not license for reckless criticism. As a mentor of mine once said, “We call out with the intention of calling someone up.” The attitude of heart is one of deep desire for a person to live from their true identity in Jesus. Who are the two to three trustworthy, spiritually mature (not perfect), men and women in your life you can invite to shine a light and help you continue to grow into the image you bear in Christ?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be open, eager, and grateful to accept, acknowledge, and learn from their correction.