Life-Giving Correction 赐生命的责备
Dexu Xia
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
“Unfortunately, we had a pretty hard conversation recently,” said Shellie. “I don’t think either of us enjoyed it, but I really felt her attitude and actions needed to be addressed in order to keep from hurting those around her.” Shellie was talking about the young woman she mentors. Although uncomfortable, their conversation was fruitful and actually strengthened their relationship. Just a few weeks later, the two women led a church-wide prayer time with the theme of humility.
Even outside of a formal mentoring relationship, we’ll face a tough conversation or two with a brother or sister in Christ. In Proverbs, a book full of timeless wisdom, the importance of humility in giving and receiving correction is a repeated theme. In fact, constructive criticism is called “life-giving” and leads to true wisdom (Proverbs 15:31). Proverbs 15:5 says a fool spurns discipline, while those who heed correction show good judgment. Put plainly, “the one who hates correction will die” (v. 10). As Shellie witnessed, truth spoken in love can bring new life to a relationship.
Is there someone in your life to whom a word of loving, life-giving correction should be spoken? Or perhaps you have recently received wise admonition and been tempted to respond with anger or indifference. To disregard discipline is to despise oneself, but to heed correction is to gain understanding (v. 32). Let’s ask God to help us give and receive correction with humility today.
How do you handle constructive criticism? What does humility look like?
Dear God, I seek Your wisdom. Please give me a humble heart, ready to receive life-giving correction.
听从生命责备的，必常在智慧人中。—箴言15章31节
晓雪谈到她辅导的一位年轻姐妹，她说：“最近我和她有过一次很不愉快的谈话。我想，我们两人都不喜欢这样，但我真的觉得需要纠正她的态度和行为，使她不再伤害身边的人。”虽然这段谈话让彼此都感到不舒服，但却颇具成果，而且还加深了她们的关系。在短短几周后，这两位姐妹就一起带领教会一个以谦卑为主题的祷告会。
除了正式的辅导关系外，我们与主内弟兄姐妹也会为了纠正错误而产生不愉快。在箴言这卷充满恒久智慧的书中，一个反覆出现的主题，就是谦卑地给予和领受劝诫的重要性。事实上，建设性的批评在圣经中被称为“生命责备”，能引导人得到真正的智慧（箴言15章31节)。在15章5节也提到，愚妄人藐视管教，但领受劝诫的，展现出明智的判断。明确地说，就是“恨恶责备的，必致死亡”（10节）。正如晓雪亲身的经历，用爱心说诚实话，可以为人际关系注入新的生命力。
在你的生活周遭，是否有人需要你用爱心给予“生命责备”呢？或是最近有人给你智慧的建言，但你很想生气或冷漠以对。要知道漠视教导就是轻看自己，但听从规劝的，必能得着智慧（32节）。今天就求上帝帮助我们，以谦卑的态度给予或接受指正吧！
你如何面对建设性的批评？
你认为怎样才算是谦卑？
亲爱的上帝，我要寻求祢的智慧。
求祢赐给我一颗谦卑的心，预备领受生命的责备。