Who Needs Admonition?

admonition - Who Needs Admonition?

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 1 Corinthians 4:14, NASB

“Sweetheart, do you really want to go down the interstate?”

It was an innocent enough question. Teresa was just trying to help us make our social engagement on time. So what was my response?

“I’ll get us there,” I replied sharply and sarcastically.

Why did I (David) react with such quick anger? Because although I need admonition, I tend to resist it. To me, constructive guidance implies that I don’t know everything, that my way is not perfect. That truth is hard for me to swallow.

At that moment, I began to reflect on how God had encouraged me to relate to my children. I had warned them about climbing on the stairs and crossing the street. I had admonished them about their attitudes with teachers and motives with friends at school. Did I do those things because I wanted to make my kids miserable or spoil their fun? Of course not! Did I say those things to expose my children’s ignorance? No way! My motivation for these admonitions was love. I didn’t want my kids to get hurt or to hurt others.

My next thought was the most sobering. As I examined my interactions with my kids over the years, I realized that they have had a much more teachable spirit than I’ve had. For the most part, they have received and followed my instructions and warnings.

I wondered if I could cultivate this same willingness to receive instruction, if I could have a more teachable spirit.

At that moment, I asked God to make me more childlike in spirit and more willing to receive admonition from the spouse He had lovingly placed in my life.

What steps can you take to allow your heart to be receptive to the admonition God brings through your spouse?