Godly Reproof

We all need a little correction sometimes. We get a little bit off the path and do something we shouldn’t do. Or, maybe we’re engaged in something that isn’t bad but appears to be bad. It can send out the wrong signal.

In times like these a Christian friend, instead of gossiping about us, may approach us and say, “You know what? I think this could be a problem. You might not want to do this. You might want to be careful and really put your guard up in this area.”

It might sting a little bit to hear that. We may even feel a little embarrassed. But at the same time, we’ll be thankful that a friend cared and told us the truth.

David wrote in one of his psalms, “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it” (Psalm 141:5 NLT).

He was saying, “Let those who are godly, who are righteous, correct me if necessary.”

The great British preacher C. H. Spurgeon said of this verse, “He prefers the bitters of gracious company to the dainties of the ungodly. He would rather be smitten by the righteous than be feasted by the wicked. He gives a permit to faithful admonition, he even invites it.”

The Bible says, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5–6 NLT).

However, sometimes we’ll bludgeon people with the truth instead of lovingly share it to prevent them from going the wrong direction. But Ephesians 4:15 reminds us, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church” (NLT).

A true friend, a true man or woman of God, will tell you the truth and try to keep you from hurting yourself.

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