Value Godly Correction over Flattery

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “It is better to head a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5-6)
       Passage: Hebrews 12:4-11

         A sculptor was asked how he could take a block of granite and turn it into a beautiful statue of a horse. He answered, “It’s simple. I just chip away everything that doesn’t look like a horse.” God is the Master Sculptor, who take our lives when we put our faith in Jesus and begins the work of making us look more like Him. That process is not automatic. It requires us to receive His discipline to chip away rough areas and smooth off blind spots in our lives. He does that through His Word, circumstances, and the godly correction of  others.
        Solomon’s perspective on life was that godly correction is better than flattery. Flattery is not positive, encouraging compliments. It is insincere, unfounded and excessive praise that keeps a person from seeing blind spots in his life that he can work on to become the best he can be for God. Our human nature bristles at correction, but it is one of the ways God works to help us grow in maturity and reflect Christ to others.        

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)