Faith, in Hebrew, is not about mere belief. The root ’aman, from which we get amen, means to be firm, reliable, trustworthy. To “have faith” in the biblical sense is to stand firm in truth. Faith is not passive confidence but active steadfastness.
When we deny giving or receiving feedback, we deny firmness. We deny truth. And in doing so, we begin to deny the faith itself.
The only way to become like God is by accepting the atonement of Jesus Christ. To accept the atonement of Jesus is Christ is to change from our past condition into a new person. Positive change is called learning.
Hence, learning is the only way to experience the atonement of Jesus Christ and to become like God.
Feedback, the giving, receiving, and acting on feedback, is a necessary and essential ingredient in all learning.
Without feedback, without acting on feedback, it is impossible to become like God.
1. Faith Begins with Openness to Correction
In the covenant world of Israel, faithfulness (’emunah) meant teachability, being correctable before God and others. Proverbs declares, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Prov. 12:1, NIV translation).
In the ancient Israelite community, rebuke was an act of covenant loyalty, not insult. To refuse correction was to break relationship.
King David modeled covenant faithfulness by receiving feedback. When Nathan confronted him over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12), David could have silenced or punished the prophet. Instead, he said simply, “I have sinned against the LORD.” That response, humble repentance, was an act of faith.
He stood firm in truth, though it hurt.
2. Refusing to Give Feedback Is a Denial of Love
Love and truth are bound together in covenant life. Leviticus 19:17 commands, “Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.” In other words, to withhold correction from someone going astray is to participate in their error.
When we fail to offer feedback, we deny our covenant duty to help others grow. We choose comfort over courage. Christ Himself was the perfect feedback-giver. He corrected Peter, loved the sinner, and called the rich young ruler to change. His correction was compassion.
3. Refusing to Receive Feedback Is a Denial of Repentance
Repentance, teshuvah in Hebrew, means “to turn back.” You cannot turn if you refuse to look. To reject feedback is to reject the possibility of turning, of change, of grace. The Book of Mormon warns, “they have all gone astray except it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men” (2 Nephi 28:14). Only the humble, those who can receive feedback, can remain faithful.
When you close yourself off from feedback, you deny that change is possible. You deny that God’s Spirit can correct and transform you. You deny the faith.
4. Acting on Feedback Is the Work of Faith
James teaches that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). To act on feedback, to change your behavior in light of truth, is faith made visible. In covenant terms, feedback is the mechanism of repentance and renewal.
The Lord chastens “those whom He loves” (Hebrews 12:6). To be a disciple (mathetes in Greek) literally means “a learner.” The faithful are those who keep learning, keep turning, keep responding to divine feedback.
5. Faith Is Firmness in Truth
When you refuse feedback, you choose the fragile self over firm truth. You prefer flattery over faith. But when you receive and offer feedback in love, you live the very definition of faith: to be steadfast, true, and trustworthy before God.
In the restored gospel, feedback is not a threat. Rather, it is covenant renewal in action. It is how God and His people remain firm in relationship.
To give feedback is to love. To receive feedback is to repent. To act on feedback is to be faithful.
