REBUKE means to criticize someone strongly because you disapprove of what that person has said or done. REBUKE in the Bible has a similar meaning, except it’s stronger…like it’s REBUKE 2.0. For God, rebuke is confronting you with what you have done and calling out the sin that is attached to it. It’s like you are standing in a courtroom before a judge – and by the way, God IS the Judge and Jurors. Now, when you as an individual rebukes a friend or family member, it should be done in a softer manner. When a Christian rebukes a loved one, it should start with just that, LOVE, and should come from the heart. Count to ten, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and then firmly express sharp disapproval because you’ve got to be truthful, tell them why you are doing it, how you want to help them and save them from harming themselves or others by their actions.
We rebuke our brothers and sisters in order that they might see where they’re going wrong and improve, because we are supposed to be our brothers and sisters keepers. The goal of a Godly rebuke is to restore, not just correct. A rebuke from a family member or friend may not always feel good, but it’s for your own good. Proverbs 27:5-6 reads, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” So if you can handle being “checked” by someone who cares about you, you will be much better off than surrounding yourself with “yes” people and the fake friends who embrace you.
So just to recap, it’s ok for us to REBUKE one another, just not at a 2.0 Level (God level). When you REBUKE, say what the person did wrong. Say why you think it was wrong. Say it in as few words as possible, before confronting them, take a few minutes to write out your thoughts, then pray that they receive it the way God intends for them to, out of love and no condemnation.
With Agape Love,
Willie Mae