1 Chronicles 17:15
“According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.”
Every generation needs a prophet of God like the Prophet Nathan. He certainly is not one of the most famous prophets in the Scriptures, but he could be one of the most respected prophets in the Scriptures. When you look at his life, there is one thing that jumps out at you that would benefit every Christian if they could apply these attributes to their lives.
The verse above is Nathan’s response to David after God told him that what he said was not right. David told Nathan that he wanted to build a temple for God, and Nathan told him, “Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.” Nathan was simply speaking from his own heart and not from the heart of God. When God told Nathan what His will was concerning the temple, he was strong enough to admit to David that what he said was wrong. David learned to respect a man who was willing to admit his own wrong when discovered.
There are many people who are willing to tell others when they are wrong, but there are few people who will admit their own wrong. Maybe the reason David took Nathan’s bold rebukes later in life is because he saw a man who was willing to admit his own wrong. Strength is not covering your wrong, but strength is admitting it when it is brought to your attention. If you are going to tell others when they are wrong, you better be strong enough to admit when you have done wrong. Many leaders are too thin-skinned in this area. Many leaders don’t mind telling others when they have done wrong, but very few are able to take the admonition when they have done wrong.
The respect of leadership will be greatly measure by how willing you are to admit your wrong. Do you get upset when someone tells you that you have done wrong? Pastor, do you blow up when someone tells you your wrong or do you take the truth and change what you have done? Many pastors limit God’s power on their lives because they won’t allow anyone to tell them when they have done wrong. Admitting wrong doesn’t take away from your authority, but it actually gives you more authority when your followers see how you react to your own wrongs.
A parent who is willing to admit to their child when they have done wrong is the parent who will earn greater respect from their children. One of the hardest things I have had to do in my life is to swallow my pride and admit to my daughter when I have done wrong. Many would think this would lower my daughter’s respect for me as a parent, but it has actually built a greater respect. What I have found is that my daughter has more respect for me because I’m willing to admit my faults when I have failed. Don’t be the type of parent who never admits you are wrong because in doing so you are only hurting your own authority with your children.
Nathan was certainly a great prophet of the LORD, but I believe that his greatness was in the ability to admit his own shortcomings. Don’t be the type of person who wants to tell everyone else where they are wrong but won’t admit your own wrong. You are human and humans are sinners. It is no revelation to others when you admit your wrong, but it is a respect builder. If you want people to respect you, admit it when you have done wrong.