Seven ways in which people respond to corrections
God speaks to us in His loving kindness to warn, correct, rebuke and direct us.
There are situations you will find yourself in, just to be corrected, if you are able to read between the lines.
None of us is in heaven yet. As long as we are seeking the Kingdom of God, we should open to correction.
Please note,
1. A wise person loves correction.
2. A growing person appreciates correction. This person might not know when they do something wrong. When they are corrected, they take it positively.
3. A simple person is open minded to correction.
The opposite of simple is complicated.
A simple person will easily get to their destiny. The Holy Spirit will most likely fill up a simple individual as opposed to a complicated one.
Jesus, chose men with simple spirit to be His disciples.
4. A fool judges who corrects them.
To such people, it is not the correction but the corrector.
5. A scoffer hates correction.
After every rebuke, go to your secret/private place and ponder on why you were rebuked or corrected.
Biblically, there are seven Ways people responded/respond to corrections as seen below,
1. Those that deny Correction
In 1 Sam 15:20, Saul defends his disobedience. He had been given a command by God to utterly destroy the Amalekites.
In his disobedience, he spared Agag the King, the best sheep, oxen and the goods of the land.
God was so annoyed with Saul, He regretted making him king. God's judgement over Saul was pronounced by prophet Samuel in these words we love to quote,
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” I Samuel 15:23
2. Those that give excuses
Adam in Gen 3:12, gave excuses as to why he had sinned against God. He blamed Eve his wife.
As a believer, do not give excuses for shortcomings and such happenings in ministry and life. Others are not to blame for the unfortunate incidents in your life.
Suppose you are supposed to be a worship leader in church, but fail to do it because someone opposed you in the worship team?
The blame game is not biblical.
3. Those that Ignore Corrections
1 Sam 2:25 'If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them.'
This verse is in reference to Eli's sons . Eli had been faithful to God as a High Priest. His sons however, did not take up his character. The Word says that they committed atrocities against God such as sleeping with the women that worked at the entrance to the Lord's house.
The bad reports about them reached their old father. He warned them, but they ignored him.
Ignorance leads to both spiritual and Physical death. Be careful.
4. Those that Pretend to have heeded to the Correction
Jer 3:10 'And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord.'
Those that ignore corrections are different from those that pretend to have accepted corrections.
A pretender will listen but will not heed to the correction.
5. Those that Become Angry
Some believers become angry when they are corrected.
Acts 7:54 'When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.'
In Acts 7, Stephen was addressing the Sanhedrin about Israel's rejection of God, and especially their Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Stephen had been wrongly accused of blasphemy and was before the Jewish leaders for judgement.
Although everything Stephen said was true, they were so angry at him, that they not only gnashed at him, they eventually killed him.
6. Those that Attack
In Luke 3:19-20, we see Herod the tetrach, locking John the Baptist in jail, for correcting him concerning marrying his brother's wife, Herodias.
Some people are full of themselves to an extent they will not only fail to heed to correction, they will attack the person that corrected them.
Attacks can be waged through any of the following ways;
- Verbal counter attack. Attacking the person who has corrected you directly through word of mouth.
- Verbal attack through gossip. Speaking maliciously to others concerning the person that has corrected you.
- Direct Violence Attacking the person that corrected you physically.
7. Those that Repent
1 Sam 12:13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."
The best way to respond to corrections is by repentance. David admitted to his sins of adultery and murder. As a king, he showed great humility by admitting to his mistake. He was shown mercy.
Our God is merciful. Instead of ignoring or getting angry at being corrected, seek God with all sincerity and make peace with your situation. Repent.