If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it, how short-sighted to refuse correction!

Proverbs 12:1 (The Message)

Are you open to getting corrected by others? Do you get angry or defensive when corrected? Do you want to walk away from the friendship and never speak to them again? Well, if we are honest with ourselves, we have gone through the gambit of emotions, ranging from the anger of a bruised ego to feeling glad that someone cares enough to correct.

There are two extremes when it comes to correction. There are those who thrive on finding faults and acting as the church’s moral police. Then, there are those who resent being corrected, even to the point of self-destruction. As a faith community, we must find healthy ways to both give and receive correction.

We have to be careful that our correction isn’t disguised criticism. Make sure your attitude is right before you even begin the conversation. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31). You cannot change a person. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Don't be quick to correct—learn to pray first and not underestimate the effectiveness of prayer. Maybe God is showing you someone's weaknesses because He knows you can pray and help them.

Let’s be true to the ministry of reconciliation.

We must be loving and humble when we are correcting a person. Correction empowers them, not cripples them. It is to point them to Jesus and their dependence on Him.

Now, just telling someone the truth isn't enough. We need to follow up, pray with them and look out for them. Most of the time, people know exactly what they're doing wrong. They just need someone to look past their flaws and see them for who they really are in Christ. In this way, correction is prophetic because we're bringing God's preferred future into that person's life.