LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, February 19, 2025

My paternal grandfather was an excellent baseball player. He played in a semi-pro league in the Midwest before being called by God into full-time ministry. As a young boy I remember him playing catch with me in the yard and telling me stories of how he used to pitch. He taught me how to throw my first curve ball. I never became a pitcher, but all his training developed my arm strength which proved valuable when I played center field. His love for baseball and his willingness to instruct me gave me a love for the game and I played for many years.  

There’s another element in all of this I haven’t mentioned yet. I had to be a willing learner. He could not have helped me if I had believed I was already good enough and didn’t need his help. Every time I would throw a ball that wouldn’t curve he would come over to me and show me the proper hand and elbow position to get it right. If I had rejected his correction I might not ever have been able to do it. If my pride had scoffed at his accomplishments and skill I would have been left without any of the valuable wisdom he possessed.

Proud people don’t accept correction, even though they may know the need it. Their response to advice is usually to get angry and blame others for finding fault in them. They may go into a silent shell in an attempt to emotionally manipulate others into being the ones to apologize. They focus on how their pride has been hurt rather than how they can become better.

The book of Proverbs speaks a lot about such people. They are called scoffers: arrogant and boastful mockers who deride others to improve their own sense of worth. Here’s what King Solomon says in Proverbs 9:8-9.

“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”

How do you respond to correction or advice? I loved my grandpa. I’m glad I listened to him. I didn’t always listen well to advice or correction, but remembering how he helped me and increased my learning is a valuable lesson for me today to never stop taking advice. Never stop listening to correction. Never stop learning. Never end the pursuit of wisdom. Never ever ever let pride be allowed to protect our self-worth, but humbly accept what others are saying as wisdom that will help us grow up into the fullness of the measure of Christ in all wisdom.

Pastor John

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4s3h5mRD6cLV6ScXw2LJZB?si=5SIH3-_pS2qyXui3E1Xj2A