What happens when you are told something you really don’t like? Making it more personal, how do you react when someone tells you something about yourself that you don’t like? Setting aside for a moment whether what was said is true or not, what is your natural tendency? Is the first thing to instinctually reject? Is the first word of response out of your mouth, “no?” Or do you wait long enough to listen to what is being said? Are you patient enough to evaluate the statement? Maybe there is some truth in what was said. You may not like it, but maybe that’s the reality of the situation.
What if the news was a life threatening situation? Would we heed the news? Or would we disbelieve it, rejecting it to our detriment? Many of us have lived long enough to deal with life threatening diseases, or have known those who have gone through such ordeals. Would you receive such news and make changes and follow medical advice, or would you put your head in the sand and go about it on your own terms?
What about your behavior? How do we respond to being told that we aren’t acting right or doing what we ought? Does it rub us wrong? Sir, you ought to be more loving to your wife. Madam, you ought to be more submissive to your husband. Young man, you ought not be lazy and ought to be self-controlled. Young lady, you ought to guard your heart and avoid being a gossip and busybody. All that I have mentioned is not a personal attack, it is biblical, it is Scripturally mandated. Now, would you seek to behave and live in a more godly manner, or do you dig in your heels and say “well that’s just the way I am, so there?” Today we will see how the great city of Nineveh responded to such a message. And it may hit closer to home than we might admit at first. But don’t resist. Listen and hear the word of God and then choose wisely in response.
