Rebuke

Society today is quick to pick out flaws and errors. We even have T.V shows based around the premises. While this may seem, superficial there are times we need to address errors, mistakes, and wrongdoing to ourselves and to other people. The word is called rebuke and it is harder to do it for yourself than on other people. We are quick to rebuke someone even if we don’t know what it means. Rebuke means to criticize someone sharply because of their behavior or actions. There is a lot of that in the world today. Finger pointing goes on in the highest office to the smallest of households. Rebuke is not really hard to do but hard to take if you are the one being rebuked. The Bible mentions rebuke a lot and for good reason, because God wants us to live a life pleasing to Him and sometimes rebuking us is the only way to get our attention. What about others rebuke, can they do that? How and why and who? What should we do if we are rebuked by God or others? What should we do if we feel that God wants us to rebuke someone? We’ll go over that and see how to rebuke in love and care.
        
Think about someone you love and care about. Now imagine them doing something wrong. Would you get on with them more than you would a stranger? What if you caught someone lying? Would you call them out on it? What if it was someone you loved and cared about? As humans, we tend to hold the people we care about and love more accountable than someone else. Why? Because we know them and their character. The actions they do may go against their character and cause you to be disappointed in them. God rebukes and Jesus does as well because He cares about us. Jesus says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:19,20. If your child breaks a rule, chances are you will be harsher on them than someone else’s child. God is the same way, if He loves us, He expects us love and be a godly example. Paul gives us this example of rebuke and chastening (reproof and discipline);“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:5-11. This passage is very needful but hard to read! We shouldn’t hate it when God criticizes us but use it as a steppingstone to better of ourselves. If God loves us, He will correct us in our wrong doings. We want God to lead and guide us but when we do wrong, we get mad when we are corrected! We can’t have it both ways. We can’t have God lead and guide us without correction if we seek His direction. God loves us as His children and will correct us as needed with a long talk, time out, grounding, or even physical punishment sometimes! God knows how to rebuke us because He knows our heart.

Imagine if someone didn’t care or if it wasn’t your child, your spouse, etc. You wouldn’t give it thought because it was none of your business. God is the same way with people who aren’t His. He still shows His love towards mankind but not in guidance and peace for those who aren’t His. If you love someone you should correct them if they are wrong. The smartest man ever to live wrote; “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:5. This is not to say it will be enjoyable to be rebuked but that is needed more than wasting time with someone who doesn’t care. When someone is rebuked, it will hurt them, be prepared. Look at David who was corrected for his open sins against God. The prophet Nathan was sent to David to rebuke him and did so by putting forth an example; “And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.” 2 Samuel 1:1-8. Wow. David ate those words! David paid for his sins and so did his family. Nathan’s rebuke did convict David’s heart and he repented and got his life right with God. Psalms 51 is his repentant prayer. David says later, “O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.” Psalms 6:1-4. If we are rebuked by God, we need to pray for God to have mercy and grace. His judgment is ready and waiting for us if we are stubborn and don’t listen. When we are rebuked by God or by God’s judgment and love we need to listen. We need to pay attention and we need to change our mind (repent). We need God’s forgiveness, 1 John 1:9 tells us how, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Rebuke may hurt but living in sin will hurt us far worse. Imagine this scene where rebuke was an embarrassment for the religious and a wakeup call for the sinners. “And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.” John 2:13-16. These people were selling stuff in the temple! Jesus got a little upset, he made a whip of cords, driving them out of the temple and poured out the money and turning over tables! People don’t like to be called out on. And they may point to the example of Jesus and say, now Jesus wouldn’t do that or says, “What would Jesus do?” Tell them turning over tables isn’t out of the question. We may not have to make such a physical spectacle but sometimes we need to stand up for what’s right, even if it means rebuking someone or an idea.

However, there are some people who are rebuked in error. Sometimes we take God’s “way” into our own hands and take His words into our own will to change things. Just as the disciples did with these children, “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.” Matthew 19:13-15. The disciples criticized the people who brought the children. I could hear them saying, “Who brought these kids?”, “Jesus is too busy with other matters, away with them!”, “Someone please make them be quiet.” and probably more. But Jesus didn’t turn them away, instead He taught a lesson to the disciples. He said, “Don’t stop them, for they are like the kingdom of heaven.” Remember Jesus taught that we must have faith of a child to get into Heaven, trusting and obedient. The disciples thought they were doing Jesus a favor by rebuking but instead they were the ones who got rebuked!
       
There are many times, we can rebuke with good intentions and still be wrong. Just as Peter did here. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:21-25. Peter was listening to Jesus teach about having to be put to death for the salvation of the world and resurrect (which they conveniently forgot after He was put in the tomb). Peter started saying, “Oh no Lord, this can’t happen!” Therefore, Jesus came to this Earth, this was THE PURPOSE. And Jesus rebuked him, harshly by saying something like, “Get behind me Satan because you are not following God!” This was Peter who walked on water with Jesus and who was the one who revealed who Jesus was, the Son of God. Jesus said that to Peter because the devil didn’t want to see the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, triumphing over sin and the grave. Peter was trying to be caring and compassionate but was sincerely wrong. We can rebuke people in our own knowledge and wisdom and be wrong. It must be God’s will, not our own human view of things. Rebuking is a delicate process that if one must do, it must be done in honesty, prayer and with God on their side.

As humans, we want don’t want to see people bothered by inconsiderate things and things that may not matter. Maybe this is what the multitude saw in these men, who they saw and heard every day. When Jesus came by, they cried out to Jesus. “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace:...” The multitude had probably saw these men for years begging and crying out for help, but it got old, and they were tired. They didn’t want these guys spoiling their time with Jesus, so they told them to be quiet. Don’t make a scene. It didn’t work. These men didn’t listen to the rebuke instead they got louder. “but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.” Matthew 20:30-34. I bet these men were glad they didn’t listen to the rebuke of men but instead followed their heart to God. We should take criticism in prayer; is this what God wants me to do? Because criticism at first will hurt, it will probably make you mad or aggravated. None of us like to be told we are wrong but if it saves us from a world of hurt, it will mean more to us than someone not caring and just telling us to keep on going. We need to listen with an open heart and our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.
       
Jesus saw a lot of rebukes and rebuked many while He walked on this earth, from the religious leaders he didn’t use kind words but cut to the heart of the matter; “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matthew 23:25-28. These men were leaders of God but not being good leaders or very godly and Jesus put them in their place. Nathan called David out and sometimes God has us call people out, but we need to make sure we are right with God and doing it according to God’s will. We shouldn’t be using God as an excuse to blast someone or to hurt them or criticize them because of our own problems with them. There is a time and a place to do so, pray for wisdom and words!
        
Rebuke even happened when Jesus was on the cross. “And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:38-43. Jesus was crucified between two criminals; one was a thief. One thief was ridiculing Jesus and taunting Him by saying, “If you are Jesus, save yourself.” Remember, Satan did the same thing years ago when he tried to tempt Jesus. The other thief spoke up, rebuking the other condemned thief by saying, we know what we did wrong, and we are paying for it. He then said that Jesus was innocent and that they were guilty. The thief then said, “Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” What a blessing for this man to recognize the Savior before he passed away.
 
People can rebuke each other, just as the thief did, but when is the right time? How can we do it in love?
The Bible says we can gain more respect by rebuking someone than lying to them, “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.” Proverbs 28:23. Lies may flatter but the truth can always find freedom. We are called to care and in doing so we must pray that our heart is right first, otherwise we’d be a hypocrite. The Bible tells us we should do away with the world’s ideas of politeness and those “little” white lies and instead tell the truth with God’s word. The Bible tells us that we should look for God’s will and seek His face; “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15. We should always seek to be uplifting, speak up for God and rebuke sin and the devil. We should do it, so people don’t hate us but respect us for our wisdom and devotion to God. If we feel called to rebuke, we need to pray about it and let God do the talking! “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-28.
        
If you are saved and walking in the will of God, we may be called to do some things that are uncomfortable because we follow Jesus. Paul says, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2. Be ready whatever is thrown your way. Prepare yourself for rebuke also when you walk in the wrong paths, like David did. You can get back to God before it’s too late and life a life please to Him so that your purpose may be complete and full in Him. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:13-15. Shine as a light. A light shows all the flaws and scatters the darkness, that is why some friends and family may have distanced themselves because you are now a Christian. You didn’t separate them, Jesus did. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:4-6. Let us look toward the truth. It is said, “I’d rather be hurt with the truth than to be comforted by a lie.” Don’t let flattery fool you. Seek beyond the fakeness and hypocrisy and get to the root of the matter. “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:6-10. Rebuke in love and respect. When God rebukes us know it is out of love and care and maybe disappointment/anger, but it is for us to get back on the right path. God knows how criticize and uses the word to do it, it criticizes sharply. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 Use the good book to get a good look at yourself and at others. Use your words wisely and seek God’s will first, look beyond the ways of the world with their lies and their backstabbing ways. Let God lead your life all day, all the way!