Talking straight
As Christmas approaches, I’m meeting a few people who are totally prepared already. The tree and the decorations are up, their gift shopping is complete, and food is ordered in. So here’s a question - how would we feel if, on Christmas Day, we were given the gift of rebuke?
Nobody enjoys being told that they’re wrong. But true friendship and fellowship in Christ will mean that not only do we endure loving, caring and thoughtful straight talk, but that we value it as a gift.
The bible portrays rebuke as a gift of gold (Proverbs 25:12). “Whoever heeds reproof is honoured” (Proverbs 13:18) and prudent (Proverbs 15:5). “He who listens to reproof gains intelligence” (Proverbs 15:32), loves knowledge (Proverbs 12:1), will dwell among the wise (Proverbs 15:31), and is on the path of life (Proverbs 10:17) — because “the rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 29:15) and “the reproofs of discipline are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23).
When our friends love us enough to navigate awkward conversations, they may save us all kinds of pain. Ignoring the gift of rebuke is costly. The one who rejects reproof leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17), is stupid (Proverbs 12:1) and a fool (Proverbs 15:5), and despises himself (Proverbs 15:32).
A warning though - there are some Christians who seem to take great delight in telling others that they are wrong. Their motives are tainted, and they like to be seen as right rather than help us to walk the way of righteousness. That doesn’t mean that we should only take correction from those who are closest to us, but we should be aware that there are some who relish faultfinding.
So….who can tell us straight?