“Whoever heeds life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise”
(Prov 15:31)
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance of the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esth 4:12-14). What a harsh stinging reprimand! Esther, being the queen, could have had Mordecai decapitated for such words spoken to her. But she humbled herself, accepted his rebuke and acted. On the other hand Herodias was stiffnecked and had John Baptist decapitated for pointing out her sin. She had no mind to repent of her sin.
Accepting correction is never easy. But it is a test of our humility. What do I do when someone corrects me? Immediately I think — (a) Who is she to correct me? (b) Is she better than me? (c) I know what I am doing. (d) It is none of her business, etc. But if only we humble ourselves like Esther and correct ourselves, God can make us mighty instruments in His hand.
Every believer is like an uncut, lustreless diamond. An uncut diamond looks like a very ordinary stone. It has to go through the painful process of cutting before it can shine in all its brilliance. Each advice, each chiding, each punishment and each rebuke is a cut in our ugly self so that we can reflect God’s glory. It is painful, but there is no shortcut to perfection.
We pray, “Lord, purify me.” And here comes someone who says, “You are wrong. You better correct yourself.” Be sure, it is God’s voice in answer to your prayer. Gather courage to say, “I’m sorry.” Examine yourself. Strive to become better. The one who corrected us need not be our senior or spiritually more mature than us. All of us have blind spots and unless someone points out sin, we will continue to wallow in it.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov 14:12). Well-wishers try to keep you away from this way. So do not be defensive but be wise to correct yourself.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
“Whoever heeds life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise”
(Prov 15:31)
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance of the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esth 4:12-14). What a harsh stinging reprimand! Esther, being the queen, could have had Mordecai decapitated for such words spoken to her. But she humbled herself, accepted his rebuke and acted. On the other hand Herodias was stiffnecked and had John Baptist decapitated for pointing out her sin. She had no mind to repent of her sin.
Accepting correction is never easy. But it is a test of our humility. What do I do when someone corrects me? Immediately I think — (a) Who is she to correct me? (b) Is she better than me? (c) I know what I am doing. (d) It is none of her business, etc. But if only we humble ourselves like Esther and correct ourselves, God can make us mighty instruments in His hand.
Every believer is like an uncut, lustreless diamond. An uncut diamond looks like a very ordinary stone. It has to go through the painful process of cutting before it can shine in all its brilliance. Each advice, each chiding, each punishment and each rebuke is a cut in our ugly self so that we can reflect God’s glory. It is painful, but there is no shortcut to perfection.
We pray, “Lord, purify me.” And here comes someone who says, “You are wrong. You better correct yourself.” Be sure, it is God’s voice in answer to your prayer. Gather courage to say, “I’m sorry.” Examine yourself. Strive to become better. The one who corrected us need not be our senior or spiritually more mature than us. All of us have blind spots and unless someone points out sin, we will continue to wallow in it.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov 14:12). Well-wishers try to keep you away from this way. So do not be defensive but be wise to correct yourself.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
