Sometimes God speaks clearly to us from the Bible or during our prayer time about sins we need to confess in our lives. Sometimes it comes through the words of another person.
The apostle Paul had harsh words for some of the churches. The Galatians he challenged about trading in the gospel message for one based on works, He called them ‘foolish Galatians,’ 3:1 and went on to detail why they are being foolish. He also challenged the Corinthians about their behavior, 1 Corinthians 1:11, 3:3 ‘not to shame them but because he loves them,’ 1 Corinthians 4:14. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul really hit hard about the immorality that existed within the church as well as their arrogance in allowing such immorality to continue, I Corinthians 5:1-2.
For King David this was also the case. Nathan came to him and forced him to see the sin in his life,2 Samuel 12:1–13. Nathan was being used as God’s mouthpiece.
Sometimes these harsh words may not be easy to hear, even if they come from someone who loves us, who has our best interests at heart or they come from one speaking for God. They may hurt. But we need to recognize they are for our own good the same as when we correct our children.
But what about when the words come from a non believer? Should we take any notice?
I once had a person challenge me about something I was doing. I had my own criticisms about this man and the way he treated his wife, my friend, though I had never voiced them.
At the time of his attack on me (and it was presented that way) I tried to shrug it off as just ‘Who does he think he is? Why should I listen to him?’
But God didn’t let it go at that. Eventually I saw there was an element of truth in the words my friend’s husband spoke and I realized I had to change my behavior.
So next time someone comes with harsh words and criticism before jumping in and getting all defensive, which is often our natural response, think about it and ask the Lord to show you if there is any truth in the words. Sometimes criticism and negative comments can be just the thing we need to wake us up to something we are doing wrong that is reflecting badly on the church and our God.
Bible verses from New American Standard Version
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