Last week I wrote about the importance of speaking the truth. In passing I mentioned a situation in which I was talking with an elder. Neither he nor I would enjoy the dialogue, but it was important to talk about the issues. His response, his willingness to listen and, where necessary, change, was a model to me of what is spoken of in Proverbs 9. In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates it this way:
7 If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. 8 So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different—they'll love you for it! 9 Save your breath for the wise—they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know—they'll profit from it. 10 Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
This elder is one who "cares about life." He didn't love what I had to say, but he loved me for saying it. He is an example of why it is important to speak the truth, in love.
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