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Sermon Notes
Proverbs
Introduction
– Correction is an everyday part of our lives.
– Even though we may have a hard time receiving correction, it is a good indicator of our level of maturity.
When I am corrected, how offended do I get?
– If we are able to handle correction wisely, it will guard us against being foolish.
- Learning comes from a love for discipline
“To learn, you must love discipline.
It is stupid to hate correction”
Proverbs 12:1
– “discipline” = instruction
– You can tell how wise someone is, by how willing they are to respond to correction. (Proverbs 9:7-9)
– in the book of Proverbs a mocker is the cousin of a fool.
– The more you know about something, the less likely you are going to receive correction.
2. In order to do correction well, we need to be in relationship.
– Put connection before correction
How to do correction wisely (both giving and receiving)
– Don’t avoid it.
– Correction can be really painful especially if we have a deep need to be right.
RECEIVING CORRECTION WELL
- It is better to receive than to give.
– Proverbs 10:17, 13:18, 15:31
2. Pay attention to your defensiveness.
– Humility plays a huge role in receiving correction
– Don’t deflect (Well, what about YOU?)
– Be honest; Sometimes we lie to cover over the pain and difficulty and the struggle we have with hearing correction.
3.Listen to God’s correction
– God will often speak to us through his people
– You always know a word of correction is from God because it always points
you back to God.
4.Correction is a gift
“If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.”
– Proverbs 15:32
– The gift that correction brings us is wisdom; not just for us but for those around you.
GIVING CORRECTION WELL
- Ask questions, then listen
- Be gracious but tell the truth (Proverbs 15:1)
- Correction should be followed by suggestio
– Point out what is wrong, but point to something better. (Jesus)
My response:
– Where is the invitation for me to grow in using correction wisely?
– What would it look like for you to lovingly embrace correction from someone else?
– What would look like to offer up words that reflect Jesus in a way that points people to him?
