Correction is Good!

I remember watching with some amount of trepidation as Dr. Gary McGee perused my essay with his green pen, circling any weak language—especially any overuse of “to be” verbs.  He made himself available in the student lounge the day before papers were due, and offered corrections to our papers.  When first beginning graduate school, you experience a steep learning curve in the quality of writing expected.  While I initially felt disappointed as I looked down at my paper, lit up with green ink, I will always feel grateful to Dr. McGee for his investment in my writing skills. 

When someone brings correction, especially when it comes from someone who has authority in your life, it can be viewed as “being in the doghouse” or being taken to the principal’s office. Reactions can range from anger, to shame, to becoming very defensive.  These reactions occur due to an inadequate understanding of the nature of correction.    After all, correction exists for our benefit.

As we have opportunity to bring correction to a brother or sister in Christ, let us do so with humility, gentleness, and grace.  I suspect that being harshly corrected in the past has led many people to fear correction. 

Proverbs 10:17 says, “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”  If we ignore correction, we open the door to being in error, and will lead others astray.  When we can place correction in a positive light, we will receive it with joy, appreciative for the opportunity to grow in grace and in wisdom.

 We can be corrected by another person, through reading the Bible, or in prayer.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Scripture is useful for bringing correction, with the purpose of equipping us for good works. 

The Superintendent designated 2016 as a year of prayer.  I encourage each of us to lay our hearts before the Lord during times of prayer and reading the Bible, and ask him to bring correction to any areas that do not accurately portray Christ.  When a person brings correction, do not become defensive or upset, but take it before the Lord in prayer.  We should eagerly embrace the process of being shaped and molded into the image of Christ, which will result in drawing closer to Jesus and being more effective in ministry.