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
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