Daily Devotional: Hearing Feedback
- David A. Case
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
I am more blind to myself than I am to any other person.
It’s not about perfection but direction—fail forward.
If it don’t show up, I won’t grow up.
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.” —Proverbs 16:2
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
—Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25
Pride doesn't usually shout. It whispers, “I’ve got this.” It tells us we’re fine on our own. It convinces us that we can walk with God without input from anyone else. In our culture, this mindset is celebrated. Independence is a virtue. Self-reliance is applauded. But spiritually speaking, “I can do it by myself” is one of the most dangerous postures we can adopt.
That self-made attitude sounds noble, even spiritual at times. Yet in God’s eyes, it’s the voice of the ego—not the Spirit. It reflects the same proud heart that filled the Pharisees—people who were deeply religious but tragically disconnected from God. Jesus didn’t gently correct them. He rebuked them with clarity and force. Why? Because their pride had so thoroughly distorted their perception that they couldn’t see their own spiritual blindness.
I am more blind to myself than I am to any other person. That’s why I need feedback. Not just from anyone—but from wise, godly voices who can help me hear the truth, even when it contradicts what I feel. When I’m low, I need someone to lift my eyes. When I’m proud, I need someone to pull me back to reality. My own emotions swing too easily between condemnation and self-congratulation. The ego always wants to solve problems now. But God’s way is different. His transformation takes time. He works through conviction, not pressure.
God’s strategy is long-term heart change. That means He’ll often use struggle, delay, and relational tension to expose what still needs to be refined in me. Sometimes that means being humbled by feedback I didn’t want. Sometimes it means slowing down and sitting with tension rather than rushing toward a fix. Either way, growth will never come from ego. It only comes from humility.
Paul understood this deeply. After confessing his inability to do what was right, he declared the answer wasn’t within himself—it was Christ. True obedience, sustained over time, requires total dependence on God and a willingness to receive input from others.
A heart that welcomes feedback is a heart that welcomes God.
Reflection Question
What kind of feedback have I resisted—and what does that resistance reveal about who is really in charge in my heart?
Prayer
Lord, I confess that I’ve often believed I could walk with You on my own. I’ve been too quick to defend myself and too slow to listen. Forgive my pride. Help me invite godly feedback and receive it with humility. Show me the places where my ego is still trying to lead. I want to walk with You in truth. Lead me into lasting change that comes from You, not from me. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Reach out to a spiritually mature person and ask them to speak honestly into one area of your life. Don’t respond—just listen. Then take what they say into prayer and ask God to show you what is true.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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