Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
In our previous article, our thought process was about giving consideration of being humble and having a sense of humility. Without them, it may be possible that we would never be willing to give or receive criticism in a godly way.
I want us to consider being thoughtful in what we say. Proverbs 29:20 asks and answers a question. Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than him. Giving consideration for something that we are about to say will help us in the long run. We will be able to determine what needs to be said and what can be overlooked. Another way to think of it is picking and choosing our battles. This not only helps us but also the other person who we are trying to help.
When we recognize that we have a need for help in receiving criticism, be willing to ask clarifying questions. Be appreciative that there is someone who desires to help us in our walk with Christ. Be willing to ask questions on how we can change in order for us to grow in our lives.
Another thing to consider is for us to be as clear as possible. Sometimes we want to use short sound bites, or we don’t really think about what we are trying to say, so we communicate less information. This hinders the conversation process because the intended hearer may not fully understand what you are trying to say.
Be willing to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. There may be some truth in what someone is saying. There may also be times when what someone is saying something that it may not be true. I don’t believe it is necessary for us to always respond so defensively. We sometimes allow knee-jerk reactions to be the driving force behind our reactions to what someone is saying. This is unnecessary and it is unwise to allow our emotions to blind us to the truth of what is said.
by Lee Elkins
