Recently, I was practicing martial arts with a friend. We began by showing each other some kata from our respective systems. After watching me perform a particular kata which featured some inward forearm blocks, my friend asked a question. He said, "What are you doing with your pinkie, there?" My friend noticed that while making a fist and performing an inward block, that my pinkine and ring fingers of my right hand were not brought in tightly, but were slightly uncurled during the blocking motion.
When most people think martial arts, they usually only think of training fists and feet, arms and legs. The last thing most people would even look at is a person's smallest finger. After all, how could my pinkie help me defend myself? It so happens that allowing my fingers to uncurl (even slightly) compromises the integrity of my fist and leaves the fingers vulnerable to being broken if caught on an opponents arm. Having two broken fingers could easily hinder my ability to block, parry, grab or strike with that hand. In short, it could leave me defenseless.
Without my friend watching me carefully, correcting my bad form that could cause me great injury, I would have never noticed the mistake. In following after Jesus Christ, we can also develop bad form. We may read the manual and practice diligently, but if we never receive guidance and critique from knowledgeable peers, our bad habits may go unnoticed. These habits that accumulate into a lifetime of choices could lead us down a path of ruin and destruction that we might not recognize until we are in a spiritual fight for our life.
King David of Israel said: "Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked." Psalms 141:5 NKJV
David requests the correction and reproof of his Godly peers as a kind and generous anointing; a blessing, even. He says he would not refuse to listen to wise counselors--even when they smacked him around with Truth.
Look at these similar Proverbs: "Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:5-6 NKJV
In this passage, King Solomon states a sentiment similar to his father, David's. You can trust that when a friend revels a hurtful truth to you, trust in the friends intentions and be thankful. It is better than the flattering words of an enemy or false friend.
In closing, the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia along these same lines: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV
We are commanded to assist each other in love, gently correcting bad forms that could lead our friends to serious spiritual injury or even death. When we show true love in honesty, we fulfill the law of Christ. Let's be loving enough to dish it out and tough enough to take it.
God Bless!
Amen, Christopher! It has taken a lifetime of practice to accept correction in the humbleness God expects of us. Depending on moods or situations I've found myself in at the time, I often felt ugly pride rearing it's head before realism could overtake and bring my cognition into full play, understanding and accepting whatever value I could glean from the uncomfortable moment. It's also always best to have a quiet spirit when accepting correction from employers, as the influence WE can possibly have on them can mean more open communication in the future!
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