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Time with God - April 12, 2013

 

Proverbs 9:7-12

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Learn from those who criticize you!

God created your whole person, not just your spirit. When mankind fell and the image of God in us was damaged, that damage impacted everything about you, not only your relationship with God. God is restoring and rebuilding your whole person.

One of the main ways He does that is through the correction, reproof, and criticism of others. In Proverbs, God repeatedly lets us know that one of the wisest things we can do is accept, embrace and learn from criticism. Even when a person criticizes you out of bad motives and malice, there is almost always some kernel of truth in what they are saying—something you can receive from God with gratitude and grow from it.

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