Receiving Criticism

Wise people are open to correction. 

If you are anything like me, you spend more time thinking about how to address the foibles of others than you do listening to their corrections of you.

It is tricky to work out how to rebuke someone else well, but are we the kind of people who can receive a difficult message?

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
Proverbs 25:12

The proverb above likens having an ear open to correction to an earring or jewellery of fine gold. It adorns and enhances the person.

Are we a church where encouragement is freely given and correction is invited? Having a personal or congregational culture of only one or the other is not good. Correction only can crush, and encouragement only can be stifling.

But also note that having a listening ear doesn’t mean you need to take on board what everyone says. Don’t just listen to anyone. Develop an ear that listens to the rebuke of a wise judge—a person who can discern truth and error, wisdom and foolishness, and teach it. Look out for wise people who input God’s truths into your life, and give you good advice.

So, let’s develop our hearts and ears ready to receive correction from the word of God and from one another. Such a disposition is more valuable than gold, and more striking as well.

– Sam Pursell