10.05.2021

When is it necessary to rebuke other believers?

Discussion:
Bible Study could be used as a forum for exploring the question that people ask on social media. Some of the questions being asked brings up controversial arguments. The question might be challenging in nature; it might question the authority or sovereignty of God.

As a Christian we need to be familiar with such questions and be prepared to answer any question that comes our way. Such questions could only be explained by using the Bible as the basis of discussion.

Jesus Christ experienced many instances in which the Pharisees and Sadducees asked him tricky questions to trap Him. Jesus Christ was able to answer them accordingly.
In Matthew 23, Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees, He called them hypocrites as He knew the intent of their heart.

Matthew 23:13-14
You Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses are in for trouble! You’re nothing but show-offs. You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You won’t go in yourselves, and you keep others from going in.

Matthew 23:16-17
You are in for trouble! You are supposed to lead others, but you are blind. You teach that it doesn’t matter if a person swears by the temple. But you say that it does matter if someone swears by the gold in the temple. You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

God will continue to give us wisdom to deal with every situation that comes our way.

Bible passages: 
Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, Luke 7:36-38, John 8:1-7.

Discussion:
Dictionary definition of rebuke:
expression of sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or action.

It is easy to see the wrong doing in others and not consider where one is going wrong. The scripture make reference to good character but warned that one has to be of a good behaviour and not an hypocrite.
Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1 also tells us that we should not judge. Therefore, the approach of rebuking someone must be done prayerfully, with the alignment of the Holy Spirit and backing of the scripture.

The direction of the Holy Spirit is important as:
Holy Spirit might instruct to pray for that particular believer;
Or to convey a message to the believer.
Points to consider:
1. Is my life free of similar sins? Romans 2:1
2. Do I have a relationship with the believer? And what is the motive of the rebuke?
3. What is the purpose of the rebuke? Is it for a positive change to bring someone back to Christ? James 5:20
4. When is the right time to rebuke? Consider the believer’s level in Christ. And approach the fellow believer with love.
In conclusion John 8:1-7 the woman caught in adultery was condemned by the Pharisees and Teacher but Jesus was compassionate and stated that “
Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone her”. This emphasized that our approach and motive has to be right.

Praise God