WORDS OF CORRECTION
II Corinthians 13:10
"Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction."
A common form of correction is to cut people down – to destroy them. Using a sharp tongue of sarcasm or belittling leaves the offender bloody, wounded, and sometimes scarred for life. The tongue can be a fire (James 3:6), but a fire can either warm, or scorch and burn. I know, because I have been burned badly by other people's comments, but I have also been warmed and encouraged, even when being corrected. The goal of correction should always be to build up the other person, or as verse 11 says, to make complete or whole. My ego should not be built up by putting down someone else. If I can't correct with a gracious tongue, perhaps I should keep my mouth shut. Lord, help me to use words of grace, even when correcting other people.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The intent of words of correction should always be to build up other people, and not to destroy them.
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Have a building-up day. Love you.
II Corinthians 13:10
"Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction."
A common form of correction is to cut people down – to destroy them. Using a sharp tongue of sarcasm or belittling leaves the offender bloody, wounded, and sometimes scarred for life. The tongue can be a fire (James 3:6), but a fire can either warm, or scorch and burn. I know, because I have been burned badly by other people's comments, but I have also been warmed and encouraged, even when being corrected. The goal of correction should always be to build up the other person, or as verse 11 says, to make complete or whole. My ego should not be built up by putting down someone else. If I can't correct with a gracious tongue, perhaps I should keep my mouth shut. Lord, help me to use words of grace, even when correcting other people.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The intent of words of correction should always be to build up other people, and not to destroy them.
[end]
Have a building-up day. Love you.
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