What is the Best Way to Correct Others?
CONVERSATIONS:
Correcting others is never easy or pleasant, yet it is something we must do sometimes in order to love others and help us all walk closer to Christ. But before we actually correct someone else, we must first examine our motives for wanting to correct them. This is why we need to pray first before we correct someone. Let’s examine the reasons to correct someone.
1. We provide correction because we condemn the act, not the person.
When we see that people do things that do not honor God, it does not automatically translate to them being evil people. It’s more of their sinful nature, that is present in all of us, is coming out. As Christians, we must correct people because we hate evil.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NIV)
When was the last time you corrected someone? What was the issue you were correcting?
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While you were correcting him/her, did you talk more about the issue at hand or the person in question?
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2. We provide correction because we want to overcome what is evil through goodness and the truth found in God.
As mentioned earlier, Christians should hate what is evil because it is not of God. In fact, our relationship with God should even spur us to want to overcome evil. But the way to overcome evil isn’t by inflicting harm on those who carry it out, like how the old saying tells us to “fight fire with fire.” Rather, the real way to overcome evil is through goodness and God’s truth.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (ESV)
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4: 25 (ESV)
If you’re being really honest with yourself, what were your motives the last time you corrected someone?
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Were these motives reflected in the way you were correcting them? What makes you say so?
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3. We provide correction because we want to honor God by loving our neighbor.
The case for correction is because sometimes we are blindsided and can’t see our flaws ourselves. This is the reason why the goal of correction isn’t to be right, but to love our neighbor. We correct because we want to help others draw nearer to God, and achieve their God-given destiny. Such is the role of a friend or mentor, in our communal walk with God.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
How do you usually speak when you correct someone?
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Are they guarded according to the truth of God? YES NO
Do they reflect your love for the person? YES NO
Do they exhibit gentleness? YES NO
How can you improve the way you correct someone?
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Correction is inescapable. It is part and parcel of our sanctification in becoming more like Jesus Christ. So whether it is that we give or receive correction, we must always handle it with humility, kindness, and gentleness.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)
How do you usually react to correction?
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How can you improve the way you receive correction?
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Let’s Pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this important Word about correction, a truth we must all be equipped with if we are to walk closer to You. Lord, we pray that you make us sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we may know if there’s anything we need to correct about ourselves or if there’s anything we need to correct about others. We pray that You guide us in correcting others in a way that honors You. Lord may we have . . .
The right Spirit and the motives in correcting others,
The right words borne out of love and gentleness for our brothers and sisters,
The right disposition that is guarded according to the truth of Your holy Word.
I pray for Your Church, God. May we be bridges that draw closer to You, instead of road blocks. May You impress in our heart the love for discipline and correction, as Your children who want to please You, our Father. Help us Lord build each other up and encourage one another in the faith.
This we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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