Giving and Taking a Rebuke

by Lance Blackburn

Rebuke – to admonish, charge, convict; a stern correction

Rebuking is a vital part of the Christian’s life

• This is true of giving and receiving rebukes
• Jesus often rebuked His disciples:
  • Mark 8:33; Luke 9:55
• Paul commanded Timothy and Titus to rebuke:
  • I Timothy 5:20; II Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:13; 2:15
• Wisdom from Proverbs:
  • Proverbs 25:11-12 – A word fitly spoken is like…
  • Proverbs 27:5,6 – Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed

A Wise Rebuker

• Takes time to think
  • Proverbs 29:11, 20; Colossians 4:6; Matthew 10:16; Jude 22, 23
• Acts in love
  • Proverbs 27:6 – Am I a friend?
  • Ephesians 4:15 – “…speaking the truth in love”
• Humbly Examines Himself/Herself
  • Matthew 7:1-5
  • A wise rebuker, though not perfect, is sincere and humble

• Does Not Condemn the Innocent
  • The Pharisees did this to Jesus and his disciples – Matthew 12:5-8
  • We have to make sure we have the facts straight – Proverbs 18:13

• Chooses the Right Moment
  • Proverbs 25:11

An Obedient Ear

• Understands the Value of Correction – Proverbs 12:1
  • II Samuel 12 – Nathan to David re: his sin with Bathsheba
  • II Samuel 19 – Joab to David re: his mourning over Absalom
• Knows That Friends Correct Friends – Pro. 27:6
  • Proverbs 28:23 – is this true of me?  Consider Peter’s words of Paul: II Peter 3:15 – “beloved”

• Does Not Focus On the Corrector
  • We can’t go looking for the beam in the corrector’s eye
  • Truth is truth, whether I appreciate the source of it or not: Philippians 1:15-18
• Fixes the Problem
  • Proverbs 25:12 – an OBEDIENT ear
    • I’ve heard a true rebuke, now what am I going to do about it?
    • I John 1:5-9
    • Confession should lead to real repentance
    • Hear the words spoken by James – James 1:21-25