DEEPER STILL: Week Twenty-Nine
Correction not Condemnation
Galatians 6:1
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Reflections
Wouldn’t it be great if all our communication could be joyful and unified? What if everything we cried out was praise, drawing us together day in and day out? One day, that will be a reality for those who trust in the Lord. But until then, we must choose our conversations wisely.
This side of heaven, our communication may need to correct inaccuracies or false teaching:
“…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—” (Eph. 4:14–15).
If we correct by condemning, it can be divisive or harsh. That’s why we follow Paul’s model when speaking to both believers and unbelievers: to walk worthy of our calling with humility, gentleness, longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1–3).
Begin with a right heart.
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers… And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God… Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:29–32).
Edification means seeking someone’s growth and good—spiritually, morally, and intellectually—with no self-serving motives.
Check your motivation.
“…Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20).
This is not about “fixing” people in haste—it’s about walking patiently and humbly alongside them, trusting God to produce the fruit.
Use godly wisdom.
Timing matters: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11).
Trust matters: “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov. 27:5–6).
Tone matters: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Prov. 27:17).
Text matters: “For the word of God is living and powerful… a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Guard against espousing opinions or accusations; stick with biblical truth.
Discernment matters: “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself… Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:7–10).
So, do your conversations reflect loving correction, or are they marked by selfish condemnation?
Prayer
Lord, give me wisdom of when to speak. Guide my conversations to reflect Your words of wisdom rather than my own and allow me to love generously like You.
