Proverbs 9:8  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  Criticism is always difficult to accept, but if we receive it with humility and a desire to improve our character it can be very helpful. Only a fool does not profit when he is rebuked for his mistakes. Several years ago I read a helpful article on this subject. It stated that when we are criticized we ought to ask ourselves whether the criticism contains any truth. If it does, we should learn from it, even when it is not given with the right motivation and in the right spirit. The article then offered these four suggestions: (1) Commit the matter instantly to God, asking Him to remove all resentment or counter-criticism on your part and teach you the needed lessons. (2) Remember that we are all great sinners and that the one who has criticized us does not begin to know the worst about us. (3) If you have made a mistake or committed a sin, humbly and frankly confess it to God and to anyone you may have injured. (4) Be willing to learn afresh that you are not infallible and that you need God’s grace and wisdom every moment of the day to keep on the straight path.  When we are criticized, let’s accept what is true and act upon it, thereby becoming a stronger person. He who profits from rebuke is wise.  Here are some English words that are translated from the same Hebrew word… reprove, rebuke, correct, plead, reason, chasten.  Rebuke is never pleasant, but it can be profitable.  The Pastor is instructed to preach the word, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Parents at times must needs rebuke their children.  Jesus at times rebukes His children.  A teacher at times will need to rebuke a student.  A coach at times will need to rebuke a player. On and on we could go.  The wise person will receive the rebuke.  I can’t tell you the times our Lord has had to rebuke this pastor.  Sometimes He does it in the study.  Other times He rebukes through another man of God.
However He chooses,  I’m thankful He does not leave us to ourselves!  He loves us way too much to do that!  Hear our Lord in Revelation 3:19,  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
The peacable fruit of righteousness is awaiting every soul that responds properly to rebuke.   Amen.  Pastor