Scripture is God-breathed and true. When we memorize it, we carry His Word with us wherever we go.
This week, we will memorize a proverb about wisdom in our relationships with others.
One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.
—Proverbs 15:31
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12 thoughts on "Weekly Truth"
Use godly wisdom as you embark on relationships with someone
Amen…powerful
That was meant for Churchmouse.
Agree completely!
My prayer this morning: Lord, May I always be open to correction knowing it’s for my own good because I am loved as it will help me grow and become wiser even at my ripe-ole-age of 53! BUT I am careful who I’m receiving it from. I look at their life and are they truly walking with Jesus. I was SO blessed recently when I met up with a very godly women whom I’ve looked up to for many many years. She was very proud of the HARD decision I had to make over 3 years ago and who I am today. It’s ALL God!
Spot on Churchmouse. I still have guilt over a rebuke I made 17 years ago. I have asked God for forgiveness, but I haven’t forgiven myself. It haunts me. And worse I fear the harm my words may have caused. Sisters pray for me and the one I hurt.
So true. I was taught to “taste your words before you speak to someone unkindly or with rudeness.”
Remember, in everything you do – even with rebuke – do it in love (1 Cor. 16:14). For the Lord disciplines those whom He corrects (Heb. 12:6). Likewise, as sons and daughters of God (1 John 3), we are because He is. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). As Christ is, so are we (1 John 4:17). Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:17).
Even in scolding, rebuke, chastening – however you call or perceive it, let it be first discerned with wisdom as to how to rebuke in love. Wisdom requires quietness and discernment. Not quick reactions based on emotional reasoning. A discerning person notices things, attends to things, picks up on things. The difference between tolerance and forgiveness, pleasure and joy, sentimentality and compassion (Wisdom for Life blog, 2013).
Together with discernment, it shows a kind of attentive respect for reality. Not only the differences between things, but also the connections between them (Wisdom for Life blog, 2013).
The one whose discernment marks genuine wisdom, does not merely inspect reality, or analyze it: the one who discerns also loves.”…”To bring both empathy and care to what we know.” (Wisdom for Life blog, 2013).
When chastening another just as a good and responsible parent to a child, punishing another is not due to hate or wanting to see one suffer. That would be someone who has an ill mind with evil intention to do such things. Discipline is a character building trait. Rebuking another to correct in love is for one’s own good. A person who receives such rebuke is mature enough to learn from their actions and the consequences of it so that one will not repeat the error or mistake.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrew 12:11)
Likewise, when we are chastened of the Lord, He is “trying to prepare you for that purpose by teaching you how to act now so that when you get into a position of authority you are not making the same mistakes.” (Sophie-sticatedmom, 2018).
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope.” (Romans 5:4)
Let us pray:
Abba Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to your throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) to ask for Your help, wisdom and guidance when needing to rebuke another. (Tell God of your specific situation here). Help me to discipline accordingly. Your Word says I can ask and it will be given (Matt. 7:7). If I ask for wisdom, You will give it liberally (James 1:5). I ask this in Jesus name (John 14:14). Thank you for your grace and for your help, Lord. Amen.
References
Sophie-sticatedmom (2018). Why God disciplines those He loves. https://sophie-sticatedmom.com/2018/05/31/god-chastises-those-he-loves/
Wisdom for life (2013). The wise and discerning person; thinkpoint.Wordpress.com. https://www.google.com/amp/s/thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/the-wise-and-discerning-person/amp/
Lord help me to receive it in love, and also to be willing to give it in love, if needed.
It’s all in the tone and the timing when it comes to rebukes. Before correcting someone, check yourself first. Check your motive. Check the relationship – have you earned the right to rebuke this person? Check your own emotions and check that it is a receptive time to speak.
❤️
This strikes home in so many ways. God is a loving, forgiving God.