Do you want others to only tell you what you want to hear? Do you really want to grow up? For families are designed to build each other up, but sometimes that means loving correction. Are you willing to receive correction as well as give it? For you cannot be one that only corrects others without having the humility to receive correction. Who do you allow to speak into your life? Who do you allow close enough to see the good, the bad and the ugly?
Yet all must be done in an attitude of humility. If you are correcting others, are you willing to share your journey to freedom? Are you willing to share the power of the Cross and My work in your own heart? Do you correct with love and compassion, or out of pride and superiority? Are you harsh and condemning?
For I am looking for those to build up My church who have learned the lessons of brokenness and humility. They are the ones that I can trust to bring healing and wholeness to My body. They will walk in love and compassion, recognizing that they, too, were once blind but now can see. Therefore, welcome correction into your own life. Seek out others who love you enough to tell you the truth.
Proverbs 27:17 New Living Translation (NLT)
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 12:25-26 Living Bible (TLB)
25 Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders!
26 The good man asks advice from friends; the wicked plunge ahead—and fall.
Proverbs 17:17 The Message (MSG)
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 27:5-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)
5 Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]
Than love that is hidden.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern],
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].