God uses people close to us to point out
our flaws, even though “honest words can be painful”.
King David had to endure an uncomfortable
confrontation when the prophet Nathan said, “You
have murdered Uriah and stolen his wife” (2 Samuel 12:9). David’s
consequences for the sin? A rebellious household (v.11),
public disgrace (v.12), and personal loss (v.14).
During the gut-wrenching discussion, King David didn’t say
much. In fact, Nathan spoke more than seven times the
number of words that David did. David listened more
than he talked, and he never defended his actions or
became angry with Nathan for speaking painful—but
honest—words. In the end, the king admitted, “I have
sinned against the Lord” (v.13).
The Bible says that “wounds from a sincere friend
are better than kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6). If God has placed
someone in your life who is willing to challenge you about your spiritual
shortcomings, take a lesson from David. Listen carefully—without getting
mad—to God’s messenger, and admit your mistake. Then, like David, you
can ask God to remove the stain of your guilt,
our flaws, even though “honest words can be painful”.
King David had to endure an uncomfortable
confrontation when the prophet Nathan said, “You
have murdered Uriah and stolen his wife” (2 Samuel 12:9). David’s
consequences for the sin? A rebellious household (v.11),
public disgrace (v.12), and personal loss (v.14).
During the gut-wrenching discussion, King David didn’t say
much. In fact, Nathan spoke more than seven times the
number of words that David did. David listened more
than he talked, and he never defended his actions or
became angry with Nathan for speaking painful—but
honest—words. In the end, the king admitted, “I have
sinned against the Lord” (v.13).
The Bible says that “wounds from a sincere friend
are better than kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6). If God has placed
someone in your life who is willing to challenge you about your spiritual
shortcomings, take a lesson from David. Listen carefully—without getting
mad—to God’s messenger, and admit your mistake. Then, like David, you
can ask God to remove the stain of your guilt,