How Do You Take Correction?

One aspect of love is tolerance. For that reason, a cherished friendship does not dissolve because of a disagreement or hurt feelings. A child may misbehave but parents do not kick the child out of the house. When someone we care about makes a mistake or offends us, we do not end the relationship. Rather, we show tolerance.

Even when tolerance is shown, we may address the mistake or offense. A parent applies correction to a misbehaving child. A good friend will point out a wrong. When you think about it, correction is also an act of love. Both tolerance and correction preserve relationships.

All of us have experienced cases in which we desired tolerance for a shortcoming. At the same time, we have all experienced the need for correction. One of the most important lessons in life is learning how to take correction.

Most people desire correction when they engage in something of great importance. Correction ensures success. However, there is a natural human tendency to reject correction. That may be for the simple reason that correction suggests that I am wrong or inferior in some way.

Some people attempt to justify their wrong. That means that they present an explanation to show that the wrong was actually right. A good example of this is the explanation given by King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. He explained that he had obeyed God when he had only partially obeyed.

Rationalization is another common response to correction. It is an explanation of why a person had to commit the wrong and should not be held accountable. They are indeed wrong, but it wasn’t their fault. Adam and Eve rationalized their sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They each explained that someone else was responsible for their wrong. Rationalization is also used to explain why “I had no choice” and was forced to do wrong.

Some people simply reject correction as if they are untouchable. This might be seen when someone thinks that their position of authority makes them exempt from correction, such as a king, politician, CEO, parent, etc. The threat of power is used to intimidate anyone who would dare to correct.

Another strategy for dealing with correction is an outburst of anger. The anger deflects the correction making it uncomfortable for the person who is bold enough to challenge. Milder ways of deflecting correction may be open denial of wrong or the silent treatment. Whether by anger, denial or silence, the issue is simply dropped and never addressed.

In great contrast to all these is accepting correction. It requires a measure of humility and a genuine desire to mature and improve. The person who accepts correction takes responsibility for his/her actions.

The way you react to correction tells a great deal about how you regard God. As our spiritual father God disciplines us. No person believes that he/she is truly flawless. So, we all know that correction is reasonable and necessary at times. God disciplines us because He loves us. Discipline, whether simple correction or something stronger is carried out so that we can “share His holiness.” In addition, it produces in us “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:4-11)

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;

And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.

—Proverbs 6:23

The way you have responded to correction from parents, teachers, friends, coworkers, bosses, etc. will likely also reflect your attitude toward God.

Mark Stinnett

November 16, 2025

Did You Hear...?

Several years ago I witnessed a shooting…on the six o’clock news on television. I stood in shock. It was not due to a lack of awareness of violence, but that it was televised. Not only that, it was aired at an early evening hour.

Perhaps the airing of the shooting is a bold commentary on the impulses of man’s nature. It is not enough to hear about crime, people want to see it. Our television shows and motion pictures no longer make reference to violence, immoral sex, and other evils; they no longer simply suggest what happened; nothing is left to the imagination. For many that is still not enough. They want to participate and will not be satisfied otherwise.

As Christians we would never participate in acts of evil. However, are we participating through literature and other entertainment choices?

I would not expect agreement on which shows, movies, or books should be avoided, but surely we are all cautious to not go overboard. We stay away from the really bad stuff.

So, where do we draw the line?

Consider the Apostle Paul’s instruction for the Christians at Ephesus regarding evil:

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

—Ephesians 5:11-12

Do your conversations sometimes revolve around the violence in the world, the sexual immorality on TV or at the movies. Have we gotten so accustomed to the evil around us that we know the language? Are we educating ourselves in the unfruitful deeds of darkness?

There are no valid rationalizations, such as:

• “It’s in the news.”
• “Everybody’s watching it.”
• “I would never do anything like that.”
• “I do think it is wrong; I don’t encourage it.”
• “My mind filters out the bad parts.”
• “I’m going to be exposed to it anyway.”

Paul’s words stand in bold contrast to these rationalizations: “It is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” He is saying that Christians have no business chatting about evil.

How do we make good conversation and entertainment choices? The “kid test” might be a practical guide. Let me explain: If kids are talking about inappropriate things, they will stop when an adult enters the room. So...If you would stop or change your conversation because someone entered the room (parents, church friends, kids) it might not be a proper topic in the first place! (This doesn’t cover every topic/situation, but it’s a worthy guide.)

In the same letter, Paul encouraged Christians to speak “to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…” (v 19). That is in stark contrast to disgraceful conversations about evil!

We are well aware that evil exists in the world, even in our communities. The Bible warns about evil. However, we do not need to be educated in evil, and we do not need to make evil the centerpiece of any of our conversations.

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

—Ephesians 5:15

Mark Stinnett

May 26, 2024

Honest Faith

On one occasion Jesus’ authority was questioned by some Jewish leaders and He replied to them with a question. If they would tell him the source of John’s baptism (whether it was from heaven or from men), He would answer their question. With man’s wisdom, “they began reasoning among themselves.” (Read about this in Matthew 21.)

This article is not about the wit and wisdom of Jesus. Nor is it about his ability to think quickly on His feet. Rather, it is about the value that God places on simple honesty and genuine faith.

Negative examples of our day teach our children how to hide truth through rationalization, how to deceive without using lying words; how to twist meanings of words, how to dodge a question by answering a related but different question. Consider how the media has participated, how politicians have made it their profession, and how many adults have played the same games.

A husband is asked, “What made you late from work?” Or, “What happened to that money in the checking account?”

And he begins to reason . . .

A teen is asked, “Where will you be going?” “Who is going with you?” “Will there be parents there?”

And she begins to reason . . .

A friend is asked, “I thought you were going to attend; what happened?”

And he begins to reason . . .

A parent is reminded, “You said you would take us kids to the park.”

And he begins to reason . . .

The Jews were trapped. If they admitted that John’s authority was from heaven, Jesus would rebuke them for not responding to John. Yet, if they said that it was from man, they feared the people. So, they rationalized. Their answer was not truthful, and yet, it was not a blatant lie. They began to reason and cleverly responded, “We do not know.”

We might be impressed or even turn a slight grin with Jesus’ response, a refusal to answer. It is almost like a punch line to a joke. But wait! The parable that follows IS the punch line and it is meant for us!

In the parable that followed, two sons were asked to work for their father. One agreed but did no work; the other refused but later regretted his answer and did the work. Jesus explained how their actions proved to be their true answers. He applied the parable to the people of his day by indicating that those who were hated by society would enter the kingdom ahead of the religious elite. But, why?

The first son represents the Jewish leaders who questioned Jesus. They claimed to do God’s will but did not do it. The second son represents the sinners whose lives were opposed to God at first, but who ultimately turned to do God’s will. But there is more….

The Jews tried to trap Jesus, yet they were trapped themselves. They believed in the power of their own intellect and reasoning. In their unbelief they refused the “way of righteousness” when John came. Then, when they were confronted with Jesus they rebelled with rationalizations in order to hide their unbelief. They began to reason....

In contrast to the Jewish leaders, the sinners, when confronted with Jesus, acted in faith and turned from their former rebellion. The faith of both made an honest response toward God. The leaders had no faith and rejected Jesus; but in honest faith the sinners turned to Jesus.

The reasoning of man tempts the lips with lies. Yet an honest heart needs no words; it responds to God and His word in faith.

We are all asked by God, “Will you trust Me?”

How will you respond? 

   Do you feel trapped by the question?

   Do you know the answer, but don't want to admit it?

      Will you begin to reason? 

          Will you speak at all?

Ultimately your actions will tell the truth and will reveal your faith!

Mark Stinnett

April 30, 2023

It Seems OK

I am writing with kids in mind, my kids, your kids. I think they won’t read this unless you ask. So, please ask! (I’m mailing a copy to my kids.)

How do you decide that something is OK? 

I am thinking about the things you do, the things you like, the people you call friends, and so on. How do you decide that one is acceptable (OK) and another is not OK?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you didn’t like…and you knew deep down that you had made a dumb decision? Perhaps you admitted it. Or perhaps you tried to hide your poor choice. Or, perhaps you tried to make your poor choice look like a good choice.

So…how is it that you ended up in that poor situation?

How did you go about making choices that put you there?

Perhaps it was not all your fault, but I’m not thinking about fault and blame; I’m thinking about choices. How did you make your choices?

In the real world (as adults like to call it) crucial decisions are made every day. Large companies hire number-crunchers called statisticians to analyze the information from the past with the expectation of forecasting the future. On the other hand, there is the gambler who goes to the horse races and bets on a horse named ‘Pickle Fritz’ because his mother canned pickles and his father’s middle name was Fritz!

The company is ‘objective’ in making its business decisions. When a person is objective he looks at the facts. He trusts concrete evidence to lead him to a conclusion. He relies on information that can be verified as reliable. Intelligence, reasoning, and research are key elements.

The gambler is ‘subjective’ in his decision. When a person is subjective he listens to his heart, feels it in his gut, trusts his feelings. He is easily swayed by emotion and easily influenced by coincidental connections.

Some people trust their lucky rabbit’s foot or a lucky number or a lucky cap (when their team is in the baseball World Series). They take fortune cookies and horoscopes seriously. They often ignore reason because their subjective thinking seems OK.

God warned the ancient Israelites about witchcraft, sorcery, divination, astrology and similar things. These were ‘arts’ used by kings and others to figure out whether one decision was better than another. In contrast God wanted His people to rely on Him alone.

This is where most adults in my past would draw a conclusion, adding an exclamation point: You cannot trust emotion; trust intellect!

Well, that’s half right. When it comes to morality and spiritual matters, intellect is just as faulty as emotion. Don’t let anyone trip you up by pitting intellect against emotion. Both are unreliable. You want proof?

How many scientists, archaeologists, geologists, etc. have found God through all their research: digging, plotting, probing, and prodding?

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son....”
--Hebrews 1:1-2

This scripture is about revelation. God revealed Himself to mankind in various ways, most recently in the form of a human, Jesus of Nazareth.

People use revelation as a valid way of giving and receiving information on a daily basis. Here is a simple example, names being revealed:

“Hello, my name is Mark.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Fritz.”

Do you want to know God? Look at Jesus.

Do you want to truly know right from wrong? Look at Jesus.

Do you want spiritual understanding? Look at Jesus.

Do you want to know how to make good choices? Look at Jesus.

To some people revelation seems subjective. After all, you might not be able to trust the person who is revealing something to you.

Yes, that is the key: Trust.

So, does God lie? Has he revealed falsehood? Who is the father of lies?

Some people do not trust God, not because He is untrustworthy, but because they do not want to submit to God. They want do things their way and God stands in their way. So, they excuse their choice by subjectively claiming that revelation is subjective and cannot be trusted. (Brilliant!!)

Yet, God is trustworthy, so His revealed word is trustworthy. That means that as long as your Bible is a closed book, you will be making spiritual and moral decisions based only on what seems to be OK (as if you are so wise). You will not have the advantage of the divine revelation of God. Kids, I don’t want you to wake up to reality when you are old wishing you had not made yet another dumb decision. Open The Book…and keep it open. 

(And don't forget to tell your kids….)

Mark Stinnett (Dad)

Can You Resist the Little Words?

   For the man is not at home,
   He has gone on a long journey.
   --Proverbs 7:19

Removed from its context, this verse seems rather unimpressive. However, it was a statement made by a married woman who intended to seduce a young man.

Solomon had described the adulteress and the many preparations she had made for an unsuspecting young man with whom she could find pleasure. The statement above was her way of luring him in.

Let’s take a close look at her statement and learn something about manipulative behavior.

‘For’ - The word ‘for’ introduces an explanation. In other words, the woman is attempting to explain why it is safe for the young man to accompany her. It is called rationalization, that is, an explanation given to make things seem rational or sensible.

Her rationale (thinking) could be summed up: “No one will know.” However, her rationalization is merely a clever way of hiding the reality that her actions are sinful. (If her actions were not sinful, then why would she need to make them seem rational?)

‘The man’ - The woman refers to ‘the man.’ In the ancient Hebrew language there was not a specific word for 'husband,' so a husband was referred to as a woman’s man or her man. So, the woman in this text would have normally referred to her husband as ‘my man.’ However, by saying ‘the man’ she softened the reality that 'the man' was actually her husband. In our day it might sound like: ‘the man of the house’ instead of ‘my husband.’ (And her wedding picture is placed face-down on the dresser.) The impersonal nature of ‘the man’ detaches the woman and her young man from reality: She IS married.

Rationalization through word play is a key ingredient to manipulation.

When you are faced with a morally questionable situation, if a friend or acquaintance or boss or coworker begins to explain why you should go along with the questionable idea, listen carefully to the explanation. Is it clear and simple honesty? Or do you hear words that soften reality, blur lines of clarity, excuse right behavior, and/or rationalize wrong behavior?

Recognize that whether it is sexual sin (as in Proverbs 7, above) or any other kind of sin, there are many people who will rationalize and manipulate you into doing what is wrong. 

‘The man’ may not be at home, but wrong is still wrong; sin is still sin.

Avoid being manipulated.
Listen for the little words.
Be wise.

A False Truth???

Man and Truth

1. No amount of rationalization, human reasoning or logic makes truth. Truth exists independent of human thought.

2. Accusations do not establish truth; especially false accusations.

3. Truth is not subject to human courts of law or any other tribunal or gathering of thinking heads (reasonable or not).

-----------------------

The scribes and Pharisees and Sadducees attempted to discredit Jesus. Their attempts failed because of the superior wisdom of Jesus. Even then, it was not the wisdom of Jesus that made truth true. Truth already existed independent of all the thinking and reasoning and testing and trapping; and even Jesus’ wisdom. It was with depth of wisdom that Jesus appealed to truth and confounded the ones testing him.

When the Sadducees tested Jesus (Matthew 22), they were actually mocking Jesus and those who believed in the resurrection. They had constructed a hypothetical situation based on the Law of Moses that would stump the ‘resurrectionists.’ How mockingly brilliant they thought they were. After all, they didn’t even believe in the resurrection.

Jesus used scripture to show the reality of the resurrection and it shamed the Sadducees for such a silly question. Such is human reasoning when pitted against the truth...Silly.

When Jesus was ultimately accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death, the charge against him was not true. In fact, the reason the accusers of Jesus believed he was guilty of blaspheming God was because they had already rejected the truth about Jesus, that He truly was the Son of God. So, they believed the very thing they 'assumed' to be true.

So, about the only thing the Sadducees accomplished was to show that a false assumption is sure to yield a false truth. (Think about that one.)

------------------

The flaw with science when it dabbles in questions about the origin of the universe or the origin of man is that it starts with things that already exist in the natural world. Read any introductory science book that explains the scientific method: Science investigates things that are visible, audible, touchable; things that can be tasted or smelled; things that are measurable. Science is completely dependent upon human senses and human instrumentation for detecting and measuring and evaluating.

Science tests and measures. Past accomplishments have given man the ability to peer farther and farther into space; deeper and deeper into the ocean, and even into the earth’s core. Science has detected and measured infinitesimally minute particles as well as distant giants in the vastness of space. Yet, in all of this, science merely probes, tests, measures and observes existing matter.

It is no fault of science that it cannot probe beyond things that exist as matter. Science is ill equipped to explain truths involving intangibles: God, love, hope, conscience, morality, eternal life. It is the wrong tool.

It is the fault of man to try and use science for something it is not equipped to do. So, anyone who ‘assumes’ that science can reveal truth in the area of intangibles and reality beyond measurement is more like the Sadducees and Pharisees. Begin with a faulty assumption, and who knows what you’ll be able to come up with???

I Really Fooled Myself

Humans are visually oriented. We generally picture a person’s face in our mind when we hear their name. Yet we understand that a person is much more complex than their face or the physical form that we see.

Many readers will remember the familiar Bible story of the anointing of King David. God had instructed Samuel, the high priest, to go to the home of a man named Jesse in order to anoint the next king over Israel. After Samuel arrived, Jesse brought his sons to Samuel.

Samuel looked at the oldest son of Jesse, Eliab, and was sure that God had chosen him. However, Samuel became confused when God rejected Eliab and six of his brothers. Ultimately, young David was called in from tending sheep. He was God’s choice.

God instructed Samuel, “...for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

(Read about it in 1 Samuel 16.)

We get it. God sees the inner person.

Unfortunately we sometimes fail with regard to our own selves. Not only are we sometimes tricked by the outer ‘shell’ of others, we can easily fool ourselves about ourselves. Solomon wrote:

     All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, 

     But the LORD weighs the spirits.

     --Proverbs 16:2

People are expert at justifying and rationalizing and explaining things to themselves. When things go wrong, we often rationalize and consider ourselves an exception (i.e. not guilty by virtue of good intentions). In general, people tend to behave as if they are right in their thinking, their decisions, and their behavior; always ready to go on the defensive if anyone challenges.

God cuts through all the exterior. He is not impressed with the outer shell and he is not fooled by the mental gymnastics of our internal rationalizations. God pierces through to the spirit and weighs, that is, evaluates the inner man.

We are completely laid bare before God.

Find confidence and peace in this reality.

• God is just. You cannot fool God. So, God will be just with you.
• God knows you better than you know yourself...and he still loves you.
• If you are not friends with God, he knows. Don’t fool yourself. Make peace.

Be wise.