March 11

Written by Bill Grandi on March 11th, 2019

My title for this devotion is Resisting Correct vs Accepting Correction.

Several Scriptures come to the forefront:

“Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Pr.8:13b

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” Pr.10:17

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” Pr.15:31-32 (NLT)

In all honesty, it is never easy to accept reproof, or correction or criticism (whatever you want to call it). I think the “higher up” a person is, the more powerful he or she is, the harder it is to accept.

As a young pastor I realized I needed help and guidance but it was still hard. The older I got; the more experienced I got; the more “mature” I got, the harder it got. I was good at listening to what people said then just saying to myself, “You don’t know anything. You have no clue.” I even had someone say to me once that I was arrogant and proud but then shrugged off his words by saying,  “I’m not either. I’m just sure of what I do.” Jeff was right. I should have listened. There’s a word for that: F-O-O-L. Even though I was never domineering or authoritarian, I was still a disgrace, harmful, and led people astray by my arrogance.

Constructive criticism coming from a friend is good. Coming from leaders who love and care for their pastor is essential. But too often we defend and justify ourselves instead of listening.

The Proverbs used at the beginning of this devotion show how important it is to listen and to accept what is being said. There just might be a grain of truth in it.

“Father, help me to accept correction. Help me not to be the fool-the one who is arrogant and proud. Instead, find in me a humble and teachable spirit.”

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I am leaving town for a few days to visit my grandson and his family. I will not be taking my computer with me so I suspect this page will be silent a day or two until I return (which is to be Wednesday afternoon).

 

5 Comments so far ↓

  1. Glynn says:

    Accepting correction – a most difficult responsibility!

  2. Criticism is difficult to hear and accept at times, but if it’s done in genuine love, we do need to listen and heed.
    Have a great trip, Bill! Enjoy!

  3. Ryan S. says:

    Good morning… and great post.
    I find the older I get the more I realize I don’t know.
    Hopefully, this is a sign of maturity. I know there are areas that still need improving.
    I also think the delivery of correction plays a big part in how one responds to it.
    It is so important to be willing to listen. I have a bad habit of trying to think of a response before completely listening to someone who may be talking to me.
    I need to pay more attention to what is being said vs trying to have something to say in response.

    Have a safe trip my friend, enjoy the visit!

  4. Good one, Bill! Phew! How right you are…

  5. floyd samons says:

    Yep, that ugly pride is mighty powerful… The opposite in humility is beautiful.