Correction is often an unwelcome guest in our lives, yet the book of Proverbs presents it as a divine gift, a tool God uses to shape humble hearts and cultivate wisdom. In this sermon, Pastor Léveillé draws from multiple passages in Proverbs to illustrate how correction, though painful, is essential for spiritual growth. By examining key scriptures, we learn to welcome correction, keep our hearts soft to reproof, give and receive correction in love, and respond with repentance and growth.
Learn to Welcome Correction as a Gift
Proverbs 9:8-9 (KJV) states, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Correction, though uncomfortable, is an expression of God’s love, designed to refine us. Proverbs 12:1 (KJV) reinforces this: “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” Those who embrace correction seek wisdom, while those who reject it reveal their folly. Similarly, Proverbs 25:12 (KJV) compares a wise reprover to “an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,” signifying the honour and value of godly correction. A wise person invites feedback, recognizing it as God’s hand at work, shaping them for His glory.
Pastor Léveillé shared a personal anecdote about a woman who, after a previous sermon on correction, offered him constructive feedback. Though not all her points were accurate, some were insightful, spurring significant spiritual growth. This underscores the importance of receiving correction from those who walk with God, know us well, and have spiritual authority, always filtering their words through Scripture.
Refuse to Harden Your Heart Against Reproof
Proverbs 17:10 (KJV) declares, “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” A wise person responds to a single word of correction, while a fool remains unmoved even by severe consequences. Proverbs 29:1 (KJV) warns, “He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Hardening one’s heart against reproof is like an ox stiffening its neck against the yoke, growing calloused and resistant. Pastor Léveillé illustrated this with the story of Pharaoh, whose repeated refusal to heed God’s warnings led to devastating consequences.
God’s corrections are acts of mercy, not judgment. They are warnings to turn back before it’s too late. A soft heart, responsive to reproof, is a safe heart, protected from the destruction that follows stubbornness. By contrast, a hardened heart invites ruin, as seen in the life of King Asa, who rejected prophetic correction and suffered for it.
Choose to Give and Receive Correction in Love
Proverbs 27:5-6 (KJV) teaches, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” True friends speak truth in love, even when it stings, because their correction aims to heal, not harm. Proverbs 28:23 (KJV) adds, “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.” While flattery may feel good momentarily, it often masks deceit, whereas loving correction builds lasting respect and stronger relationships.
When giving correction, Pastor Léveillé advises praying first, approaching the matter privately, gently, and specifically, and then stepping back to let the Holy Spirit work. The goal is not to win an argument but to win a brother or sister, as seen in Paul’s loving rebuke of Peter in Galatians 2, which preserved the truth of the gospel. Receiving correction with a humble heart allows us to see it as a gift, not a threat, fostering growth and deeper fellowship.
Respond to Correction with Repentance and Growth
Proverbs 15:31-32 (KJV) states, “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” Correction is not meant to shame but to shape, leading to spiritual vitality and wisdom. Proverbs 28:13 (KJV) further emphasizes, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Confession and repentance open the door to God’s mercy, turning rebuke into renewal.
Pastor Léveillé shared the example of Charles Spurgeon, whose deacons urged him to rest to preserve his health. Initially resistant, Spurgeon eventually heeded their correction, which prolonged his ministry. When we respond to correction with repentance, we choose life over death, growth over stagnation, and joy over heartbreak. God’s rebuke is not rejection but rescue, inviting us to walk in the freedom of His Spirit.
Conclusion
Embracing correction is a mark of wisdom and a pathway to spiritual renewal. As Proverbs teaches, those who humbly receive godly reproof grow in understanding, find mercy, and avoid the destruction that comes from a hardened heart. Whether giving or receiving correction, let us approach it with love, humility, and a commitment to growth. By keeping our hearts soft and responsive to God’s guidance, we allow His Spirit to shape us into vessels that reflect His glory. May we thank God for the gift of correction and trust Him to use it to lead us into a deeper, more fruitful walk with Him.
