Posts Tagged: Galatians 6:1-4

“The Corrector in Chief”

On April 3, 2023 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

“Gal. 6:1 ¶ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal. 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Gal. 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.”

One of the many problems with going to church is that God may get a word in edgewise. God’s edgewise word to me yesterday was not very consoling. I was made aware that I have a critical, fault-finding spirit that does not honor God or help others or myself.

This critical spirit (which I prefer to call “the Holy Spirit gift of admonishing others”) manifests itself in many ways. I give my wife unasked for “advice” (criticism) about her driving, even though she is an excellent driver. I give “advice” (criticism) to other drivers on the highway who can’t even hear me, using descriptive words that I don’t need to use. I “comment on” (criticize) politicians of both parties. I give my students lots of “comments” (criticism) when I grade their assignments, but not much encouragement. In short, I am the Corrector in Chief.

There is a time and place for correcting others. In fact, we have a responsibility to do so. But, as Paul says in Galatians 6:1, this must be done—this can only really be done effectively—in a spirit of gentleness. I am greatly afraid that most of my “correction” is way too ungentle to be worthy of the name “correction”.

One more thing: I also need to practice a lot more gentleness in correcting myself. Self-correction is an important part of healthy self-care. Self-flagellation is not. I need to resign from my self-appointed position as Corrector in Chief. Gentleness is a good quality we need to extend to ourselves as well as toward others.

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