Walking in Humility and Openness to Correction

This week (on Sept. 15) I was reading Proverbs 15.  By the way, reading the numerical Proverb that corresponds with the day of the month is a great habit.  Anyways, several passages spoke to me about the importance of walking in humility, teachability, and receptivity to the input (even reprove) of others. 

“A fool despises … instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”  15:5

“There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.”  15:10

“A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.”  15:12

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed.”  15:22

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.”  15:32

“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”  15:33

These truths were put to the test in my life that very day.  A fellow pastor confronted me about something I said.  At first I was defensive and thought I had done nothing wrong.  I know I am the only one who ever responds that way.  Ha ha.  Then I took time to get alone with God and pray about it.  The Holy Spirit showed me I needed to repent.  I had to repent not only before him, but also before a group of people.  Not easy.  But afterwards, I had a clear conscience.  That is worth a lot!

Think about it:  if we walk in absolute humility and constantly open to what God may need to point out to us, then there is nothing He cannot do in us and through us.  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).  Who would not want all the grace from God they could get?  And who would want to miss God’s “good, acceptable and perfect will” (see Rom. 12:1-2) in their life?

Be bold to ask God to give you a humble heart.  Be receptive to people speaking into your life.  Be approachable so that when people come with a concern, you don’t get defensive.  Take all things to the Lord in prayer. And repent of any and everything you are convicted of. And then walk in the forgiveness and power that Christ gives through His Holy Spirit.  If you do this, you will spiritually succeed.