Have you ever “opened your mouth and inserted your foot?” From time to time many of us can probably remember a time where we have said something that was inappropriate or worse, offensive. Recently I was guilty of not finding out all of the facts about a particular situation with a person that I love dearly but had come to some wrong conclusions from the limited information I had. I said some things (via text of all things) that were not only inappropriate and offensive but proved to be just plain wrong. I apologized and then later went over to their residence and made sure things were right between us. I humbled myself and admitted that I had picked up an offense and drawn some wrong conclusions.

When we know that we have done wrong, we should immediately try to make the situation right. Even when someone else has to bring it to our attention, we must be humble enough to admit wrong doing and make it right by apologizing, bringing restitution or whatever is appropriate. One of the signs of true maturity is humility and a willingness to be corrected — by the Lord, but also by others when necessary. I confess this has been hard for me but I now fear displeasing the Lord and disappointing Him or bringing shame to His name when I am trying to represent Him than I do being “right.” What I have observed over many, many years are believers, particularly those who are recognized as leaders, who carry pride and carnality into their leadership position and therefore are not able to be as effective as they could and should be.

When we do not represent the true nature and character of Jesus in our lives, immature believers as well as those who have never put their trust and faith in the Lord can become offended with us. It can cause them to want nothing to do with the very One who loves them and wants nothing but the best for each one of them. They will be attracted to Him when we truly act like He would act in any given situation. None of us does it right every single time and most of us have “blind spots” and do not see those very areas that need to change in our own lives. If we are unwilling to be corrected, either by Holy Spirit conviction or another person who cares enough to point out our weakness, we begin to harden our hearts and start looking and acting like one who does not know Him.

There are many gifted believers. Gifts are bestowed upon a person not based on merit or character. Sometimes a person’s gift makes room for him but his character has not be developed enough to sustain him in that anointed position. Sadly I can think of a number of people I know or have known who fit that description. Years and years of carnal living have negated their full effectiveness and potential because they have not allowed the Lord to mold their character to become like Him. People will follow a gifted person until they are affected negatively by that person’s immature character. Many have left the church or fellowship with other believers for that very reason.

Although I do not like to be wrong or need correction, I recognize the value in embracing the discipline of the Lord, however it may come. For those of you that had a loving father who you desired to please, you also learned to receive his loving correction when you were wayward. Those of us that did not have that kind of a role model have had a more difficult time embracing the Lord’s discipline from the perspective of a loving Heavenly Father but rather have seen Him as a taskmaster or harsh disciplinarian. We did not grow up with the healthy kind of fear or reverence but rather took the harsh discipline as a sign of rejection. We carry that over into our relationship with God and others.

I am so grateful to the Lord for His care for me — so that when I do go astray, when I think, speak and act contrary to His nature, He is quick to show me and does give me an opportunity to repent, change and allow Him to work His character, who He desires me to be, into the very fiber of my being. Welcome His watchfulness over you!