Receiving Correction

Alice Smith

Can you give away something that you don’t have? Of course you can’t! Yet, we somehow have the idea that we can consecrate our unsurrendered lives to the Lord. There is only one thing we can wholly give to the Lord—that is the right to ourselves! (See Romans 12.)

In God’s character building school there is a basic operational principle. If when we are tested, challenged, corrected or rebuked and we choose to receive the correction with grace and humility, then the Lord will continue to promote us. But once we get bitter, take offense or try to defend our rights, then the Lord registers our reaction and sees that we are not ready for any higher position of authority. Why? Because surely we couldn’t handle the criticism and pressure that comes with more responsibility.

God tested King David’s reaction to correction through the words of the prophet Nathan. When David and the beautiful Bathsheba had hardly risen from their bed of adultery, David made arrangements for her husband, his faithful military officer Uriah, to be killed on the front line of battle (See 2 Sam. 11:14-27.) It seemed that David had now cunningly arranged his world to make allowances for his sin. But God says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

Following the time of mourning Uriah’s death, God sent His prophet Nathan to confront King David with his sin (see 2 Samuel 12). Nathan told David a story about a poor man with one sheep—a family pet. He explained how a rich man stole and ate the poor man’s only sheep. Thinking that the story was true, King David grew incensed and demanded that the rich man be arrested and immediately executed for such a thoughtless and selfish act. Calmly, Nathan told David that the story was a parable about David’s own life. The prophet turned to David and said: “Sir, thou art the man” (v. 7).

How would David, who had unlimited power in his kingdom, respond to Nathan’s accusation? Would he turn his anger toward Nathan and have him executed instead? Would he deny his sin with Bathsheba? Would he ignore his sin and continue living his life of royalty?

Amazingly, David immediately repented and openly confessed his sin. His words still echo through the halls of history: “I have sinned against the Lord” (v. 13). David obviously was a man of integrity. He accepted with grace the correction due him. He didn’t want to compound his sin of backsliding by adding to it the sin of hypocrisy.

No one enjoys correction. Facing discipline is never fun. In fact, it can be quite painful. Sometimes the criticism is justified, but other times it isn’t. But correction is sometimes necessary if we are to remain spiritually healthy. To listen and heed correction builds our character and often opens the door to future opportunities. But the person who is spiritually unteachable will go back to address the same issues over and over again until he or she learns to receive correction with grace and humility.

The discipline may come in an incorrect manner, but that is not the issue at hand. The question is, When you are challenged, corrected, rebuked or even misunderstood, what do you do? How do you respond? Do you snap back a retort and defend yourself? Do you lash out and point the finger at another? Do you sulk, run away or make excuses for your behavior? These are common responses, to be sure.

However, in every correction there is kernel of truth. Find that truth, permit the Lord to change your character and see how the devil will be unable to find a way to accuse you. God wants to see you react supernaturally to these provocations. If you learn to receive correction with grace and humility, then promotion may be the next step in your future.

I was corrected last week regarding a situation that was taken out of context with what was happening. One of our employers told me what a woman in the organization had said, and honestly my first thought was, What? Just who does she think she is?

But I have learned to submit criticisms that come my way to prayer. I did the same with this criticism. When I went to prayer I began to argue with the Lord about what had been said about me. I was shocked when I heard the Father speak to my heart, “Alice, swallow your pride and apologize.”

Immediately, I confessed this to the Lord and asked Him to change my character that with any criticism I will have a godly response. This practice isn't fun, but I allow the sometimes-painful correction of others to help purify my life. How about you? Will you receive correction and be changed too?