Receiving Admonishment

Content library Receiving Admonishment
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Southeast Christian Church

Sep 22, 2022

Sometimes the admonition of others crosses the line and it goes from loving correction to hateful criticism. We should strive to be a community where, hopefully, that's more of the exception than the norm. There's nothing wrong with constructive criticism. It can be helpful if it's given in the right way, and if it's actually invited or welcomed by the person receiving it.

Solomon said in Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Sometimes you have to prayerfully decide when to defend yourself and when to deflect when it comes to admonishment from others. At times, our carnal nature prefers doubling down rather than admitting that there may be a kernel of truth in what the other person is saying. So listen to the admonition, focus on the facts, but choose your battles wisely.

Sometimes the admonition is worthy of change in your life because it's wisdom that you didn't have; something that is going to be placed into your mind such as a Scriptural truth or a righteous expectation. Other times, it's just someone's personal preference or opinion.

When an admonition is given with good intentions, wanting what's right and best in your life and it's written across a backdrop of encouragement and love, it becomes so much easier for us to accept. As we study admonition more, we come to realize that is characterized as being loving counsel and correction. We speak the truth and we do it in love. It may be something that we don’t want to hear, but we need to hear. When admonishment is given the best intentions and in a loving spirit, we place something into someone’s mind that they probably couldn't see themselves.

Discussion/Reflection Question: When has someone admonished you, but you were able to accept it because of the way that they presented it or told you?

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Investing in Others

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