As it is common with most children, my 3-year old daughter often makes the above statement when she’s corrected and/or when someone does not do what she expects. Quite childishly, she would end up coming back to play with that same person.

Friend, how often do you fight corrections and instruments of correction in your life? Listen, the real opposite of love is not hatred. It is indifference. If someone ever gives up on you or is indifferent about your life and behavior, that person really hates you. The truth is, none of us is perfect; we would always do wrong. But the mechanism of correction is God’s way of aligning us (Hebrews 12:7-8).

Until you are corrected your life cannot be correct. This is why, aside instruction, doctrine, ‘motivations’ etc., the word of God has been given to us as an instrument of correction and rebuke (2 Timothy 3:16). If you are only interested in the ‘juicy’ part of the word of God without embracing the painful, corrective part of it, then you are still a child (Hebrews 12:11).

Like my daughter, if you cut off relationship with your corrector or maintain some ‘unsafe’ distance from that person, you are only revealing that you are still a child. “Have I now become your enemy because I told you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). Don’t make someone your ‘enemy’ because he told you the truth.

The correction may be painful, but embrace it; it would yield a peaceable fruit of righteousness if you are exercised by it (Hebrews 12:11). It has been said that, “go where you are celebrated.” While this is true and very valid, I would like to add that you should go where you are corrected. The former motivates you while the latter aligns you.

Correction must be done in love; we must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). People must see the love in our correction so they won’t misinterpret it for hatred. Love cushions the painful effect of correction. However, even if someone seems not to correct you in love, yield to the correction; get the lesson and forgive the method. What is most important is that you are changed. May your life be correct! Amen!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria