Hello everyone!

Words of correction. Do you despise or resent being corrected?

How do you respond when someone tells you the truth, especially when that truth concerns the Word of God?

Do you receive correction with humility and an open heart, or do you become offended, defensive, or resentful?

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth!

As followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are called to worship Almighty God in spirit and in truth. How, then, can someone who professes to follow Jesus Christ despise the very truth that God has given us?

Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth

Jesus Christ declared:

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23–24 (KJV)

What a wonderful thing it is to recognize when we are in error and receive correction according to the Word of God!

Correction rooted in God’s truth is not something we should automatically reject or resent. When offered with love and guided by Scripture, it can help us recognize our mistakes, grow in understanding, and walk more faithfully before the Lord.

Receiving correction can be an act of humility, and giving correction with love can be an act of kindness.

God’s Word Is Truth

Almighty God is true, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the truth.

Those who follow Jesus Christ believe and receive His testimony, acknowledging Him as the only begotten Son of God.

The Scriptures declare:

“He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 3:33–36 (KJV)

If we believe that Almighty God is true and that Jesus Christ speaks the words of God, shouldn’t we also be willing to receive correction when His Word reveals that we are in error?

God’s Word is not given merely to comfort us. It also teaches, reproves, corrects, and instructs us in righteousness.

Why Do Some Christians Reject Biblical Correction?

How can someone who professes to follow Jesus Christ despise correction that is grounded in the Scriptures?

One possible answer is pride.

Pride can prevent us from acknowledging our mistakes. It can cause us to become defensive when confronted with the truth, even when that correction is intended for our spiritual growth.

Rather than examining ourselves according to God’s Word, we may become offended by the person bringing the correction.

But should we reject the truth simply because we do not like hearing it?

Absolutely not!

Jesus Christ said:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 (KJV)

The truth of God is not our enemy.

Satan, the devil, is described in Scripture as a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). There is no truth in him.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we must be careful not to allow pride, resentment, or the desires of our flesh to prevent us from receiving the truth.

At the same time, we must examine what others teach and correct according to the Scriptures. Not every correction offered by another person necessarily reflects the Word of God.

Our responsibility is to seek and follow God’s truth rather than the opinions or traditions of men.

Humility Is Necessary for Spiritual Growth

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, let us humble ourselves before the Lord.

Let us bring our flesh into subjection and strive to walk in the Spirit rather than fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Scripture teaches:

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:16 (KJV)

Pride has no place in a heart that sincerely desires to follow Jesus Christ.

We must be willing to acknowledge our errors, examine our understanding, and allow the Scriptures to correct us when necessary.

As the Bible teaches, God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6).

Humility allows us to recognize that we do not know everything and that there is always room to grow in our understanding of God’s Word.

Scripture Is Given for Correction and Instruction

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the purpose and importance of Scripture:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (KJV)

Notice that Scripture is profitable not only for doctrine but also for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

If correction were unnecessary, why would Almighty God include it among the purposes of His inspired Word?

The Scriptures help us recognize when we are wrong, instruct us in what is right, and prepare us to walk in obedience to God.

We should never allow our pride to become greater than our desire to know and obey the truth.

Let Us Receive God’s Truth With Humility

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, let us examine ourselves.

When someone brings a word of correction, let us not immediately become offended or resentful.

Instead, let us search the Scriptures, consider what has been said, and determine whether the correction is consistent with God’s Word.

If we discover that we are in error, let us be humble enough to acknowledge it and thankful for the opportunity to grow.

And when we find ourselves in a position to correct someone else, let us remember to speak the truth in love, with patience, humility, and respect.

Correction according to God’s Word should lead us closer to the truth, not farther away from it.

May we always desire the truth of Almighty God more than the comfort of believing we are right.

A Question for My Readers

How do you respond when someone corrects you using the Scriptures?

Do you welcome the opportunity to examine yourself, or do you sometimes find correction difficult to receive?

I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

God bless,

sister Brenda