Correction
Open Your Bible
Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 15:10, Proverbs 15:12, Proverbs 15:31-32, Proverbs 19:27, Proverbs 27:5-6
BY She Reads Truth
The book of Proverbs is a guide for pursuing godly wisdom in our daily lives. In this four-week study, we will read a selection of topical proverbs covering different aspects of wisdom, from how to interact with our friends, families, and neighbors, to fearing God and keeping His commands. No matter the subject, these proverbs urge us to wrestle with and reflect on our own response to them. To help you better engage with the proverbs in this reading plan, we have provided you with a short introduction and reflection questions for each day.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be open to correction from God’s Word and from people in our lives who love us. Receiving correction requires the humility to openly admit that we do not know all there is to know. Consider how these proverbs dealing with correction are working to correct you even as you read them.
Reflection Questions:
From whom do you welcome correction? Why?
Consider Proverbs 15:12. Describe what a mocker is and does. What motivates them to do so? In what ways are you a mocker?
How would you explain the meaning of Proverbs 27:6? What are some wounds good friends have given you in the spirit of this proverb? What do you think the phrase “kisses of an enemy” means?
45 thoughts on "Correction"
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I am the same in SO many ways, Angela Sutherland! Thank you for sharing and articulating so many of my own thoughts and feelings. Also working on being better at receiving correction.
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Thank you, Haven! ♥️
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Back when I was in college, I spent my summers working as a camp counselor, and then later as the program director’s assistant for one of the age groups. The director and his assistant work very closely together all summer, which means seeing each other’s strengths and weaknesses up close. During one evaluation session with our boss, he asked each team of program directors and their assistants what one thing they would like their partner to work on. Every other director praised and flattered their assistant. But mine was honest. He said the truth, even though no one else was bold enough to do that. That man ended up being bold enough to tell me that despite my flaws, he saw the beauty and strength of character I showed that summer and in the years following that, he asked me to marry him. Now, he and I have been married for 7 years with 3 kiddos, and he still to this day tells me the truth in love. And I am so incredible grateful. I have a few other mentors in my life who have that kind of relationship with me, and it truly is a blessing. My husband and these ladies bring things to me and don’t let me get away with trying to hide them. They have helped me grow in my walk with the Lord, and I thank God constantly for them. It’s not always easy to hear, but I would much rather have genuine care and honesty than empty flattery.
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A mocker is definitely a hurting person. Having been a victim of mockery I don’t feel like I have that spirit in me, but this has not always been the case.
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Bridget, I’ve never posted anything on here before but I just want to acknowledge that this is a similar struggle for me too, and I also see its roots in my parents’ strict nature when I was a child. correction so quickly begins to feel like evidence that I am bad and will not be invited to stay in relationship with the person offering the criticism. This is something I am working on in my own life and I just wanted you to know you are not alone!
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Happy Birthday Ladies! This last question is really speaking to me this evening. I dont have a hard time receiving correction, esp when its done from a place of good intention and love. I do hesitate to give correction tho, for fear of offending friends, losing friends, and I just dislike confrontation in general. But I see how staying silent can be even more damaging and is a disservice to those I love. Praying for boldness to speak the truth in love!
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I feel I welcome correction from most people. But when it’s people I love and trust my immediate reaction is to become defensive. Afterwards I understand why they said what they did (usually right). It’s something I’m trying to work on. Especially with my husband. A mocker is someone who makes fun of others, or in the Passion translation is a “know-it-all”. They may do those things because of known or unknown insecurities or hurts from the past. Or as a reaction to feeling attacked. I think I struggle with sarcasm A LOT. Especially with my coworkers, friends and husband. It’s usually light hearted but sometimes it can come across as cruel from the outside. I think “kisses” from the enemy are ways friends or others do superficial things to make it seem like they like us or something, when in reality its not authentic.
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(1) I welcome correction from the Holy Spirit, people who have authority over me at work if they are right and wise and gentle. People who know me on a deep level family, friends, and godly people. People who have my best interest in mind when they’re correcting me.
(2) A mocker makes fun of people while they’re hurting. They pour salt on an open wound. I think it comes from a place of their own personal wounds and heartache. I mock others by talking back to people and arguing with others when I think I am right.
(3) Hearing the painful truth is better than a feel good lie. Good friends have let me know when I blame others. They’ve also let me know when my family doesn’t treat me “normal”. It hurts my pride but at the same time I know it’s true. Kisses of an enemy to me means lies and misleading instead of truth and guidance.
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