Failure is the best teacher, without it, there is no growth or change. However, there is a condition, that is the failure must be admitted with an attitude of fixing and redeeming what was wrong.
Without confession of failure or sin, the is no growth.
Romans 8:28
Those who are pretending to be living a perfect life without trials will not learn from their trials. In fact, those who are pretending are continually blaming others for their own missteps and mishaps. The more they deny the truth the more they regress in their walk. And, continual regression is a sign that someone was never born-again.
God disciplines those who belong to Him so that they learn to hate their own sin and the consequences of it. We do not do what we hate.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Those who despise the chastening of the Lord or anyone else sent by the Lord to help with that chastening, are foolish and will not learn right thinking and right ways until they can confess to learn.
Proverbs 12:1-2 "1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. 2 The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.…"
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The weaker we are the harder it is to confess our sin because pride rules a stubborn heart. The stronger we are the easier it is to confess because we know what blessings come from obeying and learning. There is a cleansing of the conscience after confession. There is no cleansing of the conscience when there is resistance to confessing, even if just for a bad attitude.
I have seen many people in my life who resisted correction for no other reason except that someone corrected them. They didn't learn and they grew worse for their stubbornness. It is astounding how many people become worse in their aging years because they resisted for so long in their younger years that their hearts became like stone.
Psalm 50:17
For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.
Proverbs 5:12
and you will say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
Proverbs 9:7-8
"Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you."
Proverbs 29:9
"If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
I don't know about you but I want to grow stronger, wiser and more obedient to God in my elder years. May He work a work in all of us so that we will hear; "well done good and faithful servant."
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