ACCEPTING CRITICISM GRACEFULLY

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, June 29
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Micah 3:8 ERV "But the Lord’s Spirit has filled me with power, goodness, and strength. So I can tell Jacob about his crimes, and so I can tell Israel about his sins!"

ACCEPTING CRITICISM GRACEFULLY

There have been times in my life when I was scared to go to church because of something wrong I did; I was afraid that some prophet would see a vision of what I had done and rebuke me publicly. But God is merciful. His aim is not to embarrass us, but to restore us back to fellowship with Himself. Hallelujah!

I respect people who can tell me that what I'm doing is wrong or that I can do something better; to me, they love me more! They may not always be right, but I appreciate their concern. Yes, I believe what the Bible says, that open rebuke is better than secret love.

Not everyone who tries to correct you is a hater. Not all critisms are from Satan the accuser of the brethren. God corrects and discipline those He loves: ask David; we all need at least a Nathan in our lives through whom God can call us to order. A true preacher will not only tell you what you want to hear and things that are pleasant; he'll also tell you about things you need to stop doing, things that can prevent you from going to heaven, and about things that won't make you have a great life here on earth. I like what William Arthur Ward said, "To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness."

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