The Role of Rebuke

What is rebuke? A way of correcting us for our learning and improvement, spiritually as well as socially and in other ways.

A form of counsel. Consider counsel in the same light as discipline, a positive and a negative. Rebuke/reproof/correction

Developing a proper response to rebuke is both gaining wisdom as well as walking in a fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 1:23–30 ESV

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,

Turn.

Wisdom is given to those who hear the rebuke and respond accordingly.

Proverbs 3:11–12 ESV

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Because rebuke or reproof is from the Lord, it is a gift of grace.

Hebrews 12:5–13 ESV

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Proverbs 9:8 ESV

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

The success of a rebuke is dependent on the person that is being rebuked. Are they perceptive to critical feedback? When a wise person is rebuked, he will make progress and will love you for it.

Proverbs 10:17 ESV

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

Proverbs 12:1 ESV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

With each of these proverbs, there is a comparison between the positives and the negatives on how a person handles rebuke.

Proverbs 13:18 ESV

Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

Humiliation or honor?

Proverbs 15:31–32 ESV

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

Does a person value their soul? That is the difference between whether or not they value this or not.

Proverbs 17:10 ESV

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

The person who is being rebuked matters. What is your willingness to hear correction when it comes from a place of love?