It’s a great feeling when you get something right and receive praise for it. But it’s another story when it comes to being rebuked when you make a mistake or step out of line.
For most of us, our first instinct is to become defensive when we are corrected. We become offended and refuse to understand what the other person is saying.
But as Christians that is not the way it should be. In fact, in the Bible, God warns us that to disdain correction is foolish. (Proverbs 12:1)
But why is that?
Before we get the answer to that question, let’s first understand what it actually means to disdain correction.
What It Means to Disdain Correction?
When someone disdains correction it means that they hate it, reject it and refuse it.
An example: Perhaps you have a habit of yelling at people when things aren’t going well. So a close friend or parental figure comes along and tells you that you shouldn’t speak to people that way. They also encourage you to learn to be self-controlled, even in the midst of challenging situations. They correct you.
But instead of listening and thinking over what they have said, you dismiss their correction, perhaps even claiming that they don’t understand your position.
This is the kind of attitude some of us can have when it comes to being corrected over a variety of issues whether it’s our character, our conduct or our habits.
Yet the Word of God warns us against embracing this kind of attitude, and this is why.
Correction Helps You Grow Spiritually
Correction is meant to help you grow and improve. For as long as you are alive and human there is always room for improvement.
The only person who did things perfectly on earth was Jesus. Even the mighty, valiant people who were used by God in the Bible didn’t do anything perfectly.
David was a man after God’s own heart yet he committed adultery and murdered one of his soldiers. (2 Samuel 11) This was a show of lack of self control on his part and revealed an attitude of pride and self-reliance.
Moses, who saw God face to face, got angry and went against God’s command by striking the rock at Kadesh instead of speaking to it. (Numbers 20:1-12) This also showed a lack of self-control as well as a short temper.
All of us are just like them. We have our areas of strength but we also have our areas of weaknesses. It’s awesome to have your strengths called out. But when the same happens with your weaknesses don’t get offended. Don’t despise the correction, instead embrace it and see how you can do better.
Correction Keeps Your Humble
As Christians we should beware of having pride creep in. The Word urges us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. (Romans 12:3) In essence, you should think that you are above correction, rebuke or reprimand.
Pride is one thing we are urged constantly to put away in the Bible. This is because God resists the proud. (James 4:6)
But when you willingly receive correction and do not despise it, you embrace a spirit of humility and move further away from pride.
This will help you immensely as you walk through life as a Christian.
When you stay humble, you are aware that you are flawed and can get things wrong. This will remind you of how much you need God’s abundant grace. A grace that He gives plentifully to those who are humble.
That is why when you are corrected instead of rejecting it, you must take it in and learn what you can from it.
Keep Learning and Keep Growing
As you go forth in life, you should remember that correction is just that, correction. It is making right what is wrong. Improving what can be improved.
When you get corrected or rebuked it’s not meant to make you feel terrible about yourself or make you doubt your abilities. It is meant to help you reassess how you do things and readjust where there is need.
However, it’s true that not everyone will rebuke you in a loving matter. Some people may come at you like a baseball bat. But even in the midst of that, you can ask God to help you hear what He is saying. Ask Him to show you the areas you need to improve whether it’s your character, the way in which you handle particular situations or approach work.
The Word encourages us to become more like Christ every day but that change won’t happen without a struggle. Without missteps and mistakes. Without firm rebukes and correction. But it will happen.
However, it’s up to you to mature as a Christian and be open to receiving the chastisement that will help you truly grow in Christ. The correction that will help you become more and more like Jesus as you prepare for the day He takes you Home.
