Rebuke and Reproof

April, 2007

by: Jack Hughes

• Spiritual Growth

Recently in our Sunday morning sermon series entitled “You and the Church” we learned that one of the ways we love one another is by faithfully rebuking and reproving. To most, rebuke and reproof are antithetical to “love.” Most people think of rebuke and reproof as mean spirited actions. Because of this most Christians avoid faithfully rebuking and reproving one another.

Others don’t like to confront people in sin because they don’t want to offend the other person, or they don’t want to lose a relationship. They fear that if they confront someone about their sin, that person would get angry. Yet when we think of things like this we are not loving the other person but our self. We are not concerned about what is best for them, but what is most comfortable for us. We are really being selfish because we are doing that which brings us the most comfort and pleasure.

The Scriptures give many examples and instructions of reproving and rebuking. God rebuked and reproved Adam, Eve, and Abel. The Lord rebuked Sarah when she laughed. He rebuked Moses when he struck the rock in anger. Nathan the prophet rebuked and reproved David about his sin. We see the same thing in the New Testament. Jesus rebuked and reproved the hypocritical religious leaders. He also rebuked the disciples, especially their main spokesman, Peter. Jesus rebukes the churches of Asia in the book of Revelation. Paul rebuked the Corinthians many times in his two letters to them. Why? Because rebuke and reproof are acts of love. In fact, when Paul tells Timothy to keep on preaching the Word in II Tim. 4:1-4 he defines preaching, in vs. 2, as reproving, rebuking, and exhorting.

Though similar in meaning, reproving relates to convincing someone that they are in sin. It is to expose their sin or to bring it to light so they can see it. Rebuke is verbal correction designed to change the mind of the person in sin so that they change their sinful behavior. Think of reproof as shining the flashlight on someone’s sin so it is apparent and rebuke as a verbal spanking designed to change the heart and, with it, behavior. Though rebuke and reproof are sprinkled throughout the Bible, the highest concentration of texts dealing with this subject are found in the Book of Proverbs. They can be divided up into three distinct categories.

Instruction To Be Involved in Reproof and Rebuke

The first text we come to is Prov. 3:11 which says, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof.” Here we are told to participate in reproof by receiving it from the Lord. The number one thing that qualifies us to reprove and rebuke others is to first be willing to receive reproof and rebuke ourselves, especially from the Lord. When you are reading the Scriptures and you are confronted about your sin, do you try to justify your rebellion? Do you try to make yourself look good by comparing yourself with those you feel are greater sinners than yourself? Do you think of others and how good it would be if they could read the verse you are now reading? These kinds of responses demonstrate that you are not willing to receive reproof and hence are unfit to give reproof and rebuke to others. When our sin is exposed by the Word of God or someone else, our first response should be confession and repentance. Christians should hate sin, even their favorite, darling sins.

Solomon tells us in Prov. 6:23, “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.” Here we see that the godly person receives reproofs, not just every once in a while, but as a way of life. As the wise person reads, studies and meditates on the Scriptures, he receives reproof. He will also receive reproof as he listens to the Word of God taught or preached. When his sin is exposed, he sees it, looks at it, and says to himself, “I am a wretched sinner and I need God’s help to change my wicked ways.” This is the way of his life. This is a common occurrence. Is this the way of your life? Are you living and growing by rebuke and reproof? If not, something is wrong. Reproofs and discipline are the way of life for believers.

There are two texts in the Book of Proverbs which teach us the value of reproof by comparison. The first is Prov. 27:5 which says, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”Prov. 28:23 also says, “He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.” In these texts those who faithfully rebuke others are compared to those that love and are favored by others. Those who fail to rebuke others are compared to those who are deceitful and flattering. What does this teach us? It teaches us that if you love someone you will lovingly wound them with reproof. You will expose their sin to the light of God’s Word. You will not let them continue on in sin and rebellion against God just because you don’t want to go through the process of confronting them.

But rebuke is not only for believers. Believers are to also rebuke the wicked. Prov. 24:25 says, “But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” This is an interesting proverb. The wicked usually do not accept rebuke. So why would God tell us to rebuke the wicked? Several reasons. The wicked need to see their sin so they can understand their need for a Savior. Secondly, you will receive blessing from God when you faithfully rebuke the wicked. When you stand up for the truth in a wicked world and expose their wickedness as sin, the world may not like it, but God does.

Think of how the prophets, John the Baptist and Jesus exposed the sins of many in their day. Yes, you might be persecuted when you expose the sins of others, yet being persecuted also brings a blessing from God (Mt. 5:11-12). We must remember that it is never our job to make sure people respond correctly, it is your job to lovingly give rebuke and reprove, trusting God for the results. Finally, when Christians are faithful to expose sin for what it is, they become salt and light in the world. This is a good thing as salt preserves and light exposes. First, the Christian shines the light on sin and this then has a preserving effect. The wicked are less likely to run into sin if they are going to be exposed as being wicked. This in turn brings blessing to entire communities and even countries.

Yes, we think of reproof and rebuke as a one on one type of thing, but often it can be a community, state, or country wide event. Preachers often expose the sins of the world to their congregations (Mt. 10:27-28). In doing this the congregation sees what is wrong both in their own lives, if they are participating in the sin, but are also equipped to reprove sin in the world. If the righteous grow mute, if Christians fail to speak up against sin, then who is going to do it? We are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a city set on a hill. We are to let our light so shine before men that they will repent, believe and give glory to God (Mt. 5:13-16). We are to expose the evil deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:3-13). We are the ones who must silence ignorant and foolish men (I Pet. 2:15).

Benefits of Receiving Reproof and Rebuke

Solomon also has much to say about the benefits of receiving rebuke and reproof. Prov. 13:18 says, “Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored.”Prov. 15:5 says, “A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.” And Prov. 15:31 says, “He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”

Here we see neglecting discipline is contrasted with reproof. The reason for this is that discipline is the process of giving reproof and rebuke. The wise person is willing to regard or accept reproof. This then will lead to being honored, sensible, and regarded as one who dwells among the wise. I don’t know about you, but being honored for doing what is right, being sensible, and being wise is something I want. Its not that I want to feed my ego or boast about how godly I am, but I want what the Lord desires for me to have. He wants to bless me for accepting reproof and rebuke.

Let’s say you lived in an apartment complex and that one night there is a fire. Would you quietly leave your apartment and go out to the street to watch your apartment complex burn to the ground with your neighbors still in it? No! You would run from one apartment to another banging on the door, crying out with a loud voice, warning your neighbors of the danger they are in. It is true, at first, they would not like being aroused so abruptly in the middle of the night. Yes, even though they might be irritated, scared and angered at first, afterwards they would thank you. You saved their life.

In the same way, when we are faithful to reprove and rebuke others who are in sin, at first they may not like it. They may get angry. It may seem to only make things worse. But God is faithful. He may use our faithful reproof to soften their conscience. Surely their awareness of sin will be heightened. They may realize their need for a Savior and be saved. If they are already saved, it should move them to confess their sin and pursue righteousness.

Consequences of Not Receiving Reproof and Rebuke

Now you may be wondering about those who just will not receive reproof and rebuke. Maybe you don’t like to receive reproof and the times people tried to love you in that way you got angry, defensive, and accused them of evil. Below are Scriptures which tell us about the consequences of not accepting reproof. Read them carefully, meditate on them, and listen to what God says to you.

Prov. 1:20-33 says:

“Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge? “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. “Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, when your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices. “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them. “But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

Prov.10:17 says, “…he who ignores reproof goes astray.”Prov. 12:1 says, “…he who hates reproof is stupid.”Prov. 13:1 says, “a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”Prov. 13:18 says, “Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored.”Prov. 15:10 says, “…He who hates reproof will die.” And Prov. 29:1 says, “A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.” So, do you get the picture? Do you see how important it is both to give and receive reproof and rebuke? It is the way of life for the wise and every believer who desires to glorify God. We will let Solomon have the last word. In Prov. 17:10 he compares the man of understanding with a fool and says, “A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.”