CAN YOU TAKE CORRECTION?…OR, ARE YOU TOO PROUD? — Part 3

The View From Above: Thoughts To Help With Everyday Life

September 20, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

CAN YOU TAKE CORRECTION?…OR, ARE YOU TOO PROUD? — Part 3

One of the responsibilities of leadership is to bring correction.

It’s not the only thing, but it is part of a well-rounded, effective, caring, productive, fruitful, and loving ministry.

Titus, a young pastor, has his work cut out for him, setting in order the church at Crete.

Part of his assignment was to bring necessary correction to those who were doing harm to the church.

Titus 1:10–13

“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’

This testimony is true. Therefore, REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, that they may be sound in the faith…”

This is not his only task. He is there to encourage and build up the Body of Christ.

However, this was a necessary element in order to help the church and restore those who are causing the problems.

Real churches have real problems, and some of them need to be addressed by leadership.

It’s not an attack…but it is aggressive action when something is off that needs addressing.

If you are sick, really sick, something is attacking your body and your health, a doctor’s role is to bring correction.

Sometimes he can do it through medication…sometimes it’s advice: lose weight, exercise, change your diet…and then sometimes more radical action is required…surgery.

Something needs to be removed that is harming the health of your body, and if he doesn’t take the radical action necessary, your health is going to continue to deteriorate.

IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD…

It may result in pain, it may take time to heal and recover…but in the end, you’ll be better, and your health can be restored.

That is a good analogy to describe the pastor’s role sometimes.

When your doctor gives you instructions, you need to listen.

How often do we say, “Do what the doctor tells you!”

He’s not trying to harm you; he’s trying to heal you.

And sometimes, as is the case in the above Scripture, a sharp rebuke—spiritual surgery—is necessary.

Something has to be stopped, put an end to, or spiritually cut out.

When that is the case, know that love is at work…the effort is being made to help you, make you better, and prevent the harm that may be happening.

Thus:

Hebrews 13:17 AMP

“Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you].

Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.”

There’s nothing more satisfying for a doctor than when the surgery—or whatever care he or she may be offering—is successful, and your life has been positively affected, and you walk away healthy with years still in your future.

That is the sense that a pastor has when correction is received.

It does bring the joy described in the above verse.

You may or may not need correction now…but you will, or you do and don’t yet recognize it.

Be ready and prepare yourself through humility to receive it.