Feeling Good or Being Good

We live in a world that cherishes self-esteem but has little use for constructive criticism or rebuke, no matter how genuine or legitimate. 

It's hard to be wise in such a world because wisdom requires humility and teachability, plus honest assessment of our strengths and weaknesses.

“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still…” Proverbs 9:8-9 

We usually seek out people who'll tell us what we want to hear instead of what we need to hear. We'd rather feel good about ourselves than be good!

"Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others."
Proverbs 12:15

Being teachable and humble doesn't come naturally. And in our present culture, it's a struggle to be God-esteemers instead of self-esteemers. 

But Godly wisdom is worth the effort, so let's pray for the right attitude toward correction and expect God to give us some opportunities to practice!

For more encouragement to accept correction, see The Sting of Correction and Accepting Correction: 10 Scriptures.