THE TEST OF CORRECTION. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning."
Proverbs 9:7-9

OBSERVATION
You can know the heart of a person by the way they respond to correction. Solomon in his wisdom used the test of correction to see deep into the hearts of people and discern their true colors. If after a correction the person responds defensively with insult or abuse, that person revealed wickedness. Solomon instructs that there is no point in correcting people like that. But when the person corrected responds with love and with gratitude, that person reveals wisdom and godliness.

APPLICATION
We all have been or will be tested with correction. When our decisions are not the best and we do not see the implications of our mistakes, God will send people to correct us. Our response to such correction will reveal what we truly have in our hearts. This is especially true when the person doing the correction is not well informed and assumes things. Do we have a license to be rude and defensive in those special circumstances? I don't think so! It's at those moments when humility is very important. Even though the correction may be based on false assumptions, if we have the right heart, we will listen to it, learn from it, and become better and wiser people because of it.

I need to be humble when receiving correction from people, specially when their correction is unfair or without all the facts. But also, as a leader, when giving the opportunity to bring loving correction to others, I must have discernment and read people's hearts. If they resist and complain, for a while I can work with them patiently so they can process the correction properly. But if they reach a point of rebellion, they have failed the test of correction and I need to walk away. And for those who pass the test, who receive and appreciate the correction, I need to invest even more time, energy, and resources in them. They are teachable and open to the wisdom of God in their lives. They will always grow in character and become more like Jesus.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me a bout the test of correction. Help me to pass it and give me wisdom to help others around me to be more humble and pass it as well. Amen!