In the Bible we are reminded of the account of the confrontation of Moses with the Pharo. God said that each time the Pharo was faced with Moses appeals to let his people go, the Pharo would refuse to do so. God said that Pharo hardened his own heart in anger against Moses and his God. And later we see that God said He hardened Pharo’s heart. Which was true? Both were true. God did challenge Pharos knowing with each new plague, Pharo would harden his heart more, so God sent what He knew would cause Pharo to do this.
When we are confronted with our sin and we explode in anger, refusing to consider our actions, take it to God in prayer and repent, then we are hardening our hearts a little further. When others point out our shortcomings, it does not matter their delivery, or their attitude, God is using them to shake us up and expose what is really in our hearts. If there is an explosion of anger when we are confronted with our sin, then the person who chastised us is not at fault for causing our anger, we have merely let come out of our inner being, that which was already there. It shows us our inner heart problem of pride and self exhaultation.
Instead of blaming the person who rebuked us, we need to be taking their message to the Lord in prayer that we might discover our own sinful attitudes, that we might repent and be cleansed from that sin. If we do not listen to those who would rebuke and correct us, then God will discipline us His way, and very often it is much harsher than the words that our friends and family would say to us. They can not take our health, our homes, our chidlren, or our security, but God can do all that in His effort to reach our soul. He can do far more in His discipline of us than any human can do, He can also use evil humans to carry out His will. We should never take lightly the exhortations, rebukes and corrections of others because they are sent of God to administer training, even if they are not aware of how they are being used.
It is never wise to take lightly or defend ourselves when confronted with sin. We ultimately will lose in the long run and perhaps enormously with life long consequences. It is in our own best interest to repent quickly and sincerly before a Holy and Righteous God, that He may withhold His wrath and discipline from us.
Lastly, if we are believers, it should be paramount that our Chrsitian witness take presidence over any discomfort we may experience in a rebuke. Our personal pride and satisfaction is irrelevant in the vast scheme of God's purposes. We must always seek the greater good for eternity in our evaluation of cercumstances.
Do we live to please ourselves or do we live to please God? This is the ultimate question that needs to be asked in every life experience. If we find ourselves protecting ourselves by avoiding self-confrontation, then we are still walking in pride. If our own desires take presidence over God's greater good, then we are nurturing pride and resisting God.
Let's seek Him with all our being and then we will see the arrogance and self will begin to take a back seat to His will and purpose.
