Second Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) in God’s holy book tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Being challenged to change our behavior is difficult for all of us; especially for those of us who have a problem with any sort of authority. Whether it’s someone telling us how we can improve at work, or whether it is a family member telling you not to text while you are driving, or whether it is a gas station attendant telling you to turn your engine off while you are filling up your gas tank, or whether it is an authority figure telling you to move from one location to another, this all involves being rebuked or corrected. Did you know that being willing to be corrected by someone and then actually taking the action to change your behavior is just as important to healing your broken heart as it is to have someone give you a hug or compliment? Yes, it is!
These holy words from our spiritual ancestor Paul in his letter called 2 Timothy talks about doing just that. It says God’s holy book is very useful for teaching, for reproof, and for correction, and for training in righteousness. We as people who believe in Jesus are called to be willing and able to do that when the time calls for it. When someone confronts us, whether the person is not a believer in Jesus, or whether he or she is a believer and is using scripture to correct us, we must be willing to respond in a spirit of humility.
Romans 13:1–2 (ESV) in God’s holy book says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
This tells me that the opposite of judgment is approval and within the approval of God is healing. Whether it is a person who works at a parking lot or gas station or dump yard or someone at your church correcting a behavior that is wrong in the eyes of the laws of the land or scripture, we need to be willing to change our attitude and behavior.
We should be in a right standing before God and others and be at peace with them as much as possible. God’s holy book says in Romans 12:18 (ESV), “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” We need to be at peace with God and others to experience peace and peace is part of healing our broken hearts as we journey through this life.
When our hearts are at peace with God and others and ourselves then we can do the work, God has for us to do with greater influence and confidence and healing.
Let this year be a year where you allow others to tell you what to do and you become willing to do what the authorities are asking of you. If someone rebukes or corrects you, be willing to let it settle in your heart, rather than becoming defensive and filled with hate and resentment.
Remember 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) in God’s holy book says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
I believe it is hard to do every good work when we are fighting against authority all the time. Learning to respect authority will keep your spiritual heart in check and allow it to heal from your wounds of the past and present. If you fight being corrected this will be one more thing in your heart that is broken.
Think of how hard it is for those people in authority who must confront people all the time. It is not easy because we all want to be liked. I’m sure some people say, “I don’t care if you don’t like me, I’m going to tell you what to do anyways.”
There aren’t very many like that, though. Most of us want to be at peace with each other and God. Yet, some of these people who must rule others are willing to risk not being liked as they stand up for truth.
When authorities ask you to do something they don’t have to be rude about it, and we don’t have to be rude as we respond to their authority. Let your heart be healed from life’s hurts by not adding more fuel to the fire of hurts that are already there. Let your heart learn to obey authority as you heal your broken heart.
