Upon listening to another one of Paul Washer's convicting sermons, I could only agree with his statement that Christians in America are thin-skinned. Paul shared that his wife had said that American Christians (interchangeable for Young Nak Christians) are thin-skinned because they are not capable of receiving rebuke. Counseling, rebuking (admonishing, reprimanding, etc), and sharpening (iron on iron) are gifts from God, so that as a body we can further purify and refine the body of Christ; however, if we neglect and take offense to rebukes, admonishments and reprimands, we only hurt ourselves.
The negligence of reprimands represents a certain level of deceit in our walks with Christ because a denial of reprimands and rebukes displays a heart in which one thinks himself as perfect. Yet we should not take all rebukes and reprimands as correct or true; however, we should take note of it, search the Scriptures, and if it is in Scriptures (which is Truth), then to embrace the counseling and go about fixing ourselves (or rather ask God to create us anew once again for that specific thing). Even if the truth that is spoken to us is spoken with a condescending tone or attitude, we cannot deny the fact that the truth is the Truth. Whether the truth was delivered negatively or positively (however as Christians I believe that we should always attempt to edify, exhort, and encourage with our words and even our tone of voice and attitude), if it is truth, why should we let it slide and ignore it just because we did not like the way it was said.
I am not promoting that we reprimand or rebuke one another with harsh tones. I believe we should be slow to speak (thinking about what we say) and choosing our words wisely; however, when we are on the receiving end, we should not take offense when another comes off as harsh or even rude, if it is truth.
This is the character of a man who follows the Lord: One who receives harsh and gentle words without retaliation, but never one who gives harmful and rude words.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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3 Comments:
Amen to that.
Like it says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is inspired by God and made profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."
I was really encouraged by with post :)
@Stephanie: Hey! I'm glad someone reads my blogs. Paul Washer actually used 2 Timothy 3:16 to start off that portion!
I'm so encouraged b/c in a world full of Christians, I become scared that only few read the Scriptures. :P
Correct me John Lee.
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