Are you active in seeking the correction of others?
Do you earnestly desire to be corrected yourself?
Introduction
When someone hears of correction, he may wonder how such a subject can be a “blessing” as our title has it. But if God has given us a great amount of instruction on how to correct others and much instruction on how to respond to the correction of others, we can know that God considers admonishment, reproof, rebuke, and correction to be vital to our life and work as Christians. Others can be blessed through our correction of them and we can be greatly blessed in rightly responding to others’ correction of our own faults and failings.
The world looks at this subject in a very different way. People around us have little interest in correcting others, for they have the relativistic and post-modern attitude that says everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs and everyone may live by any moral standards they choose. People also generally are not at all interested in being corrected by other people. They think that they have a right to their own beliefs, their own morality (or immorality), their own lifestyle, and their own worldview.
But what does God say about this subject? What has He revealed in His divine Word? We invite you to read the following pages to receive a brief survey of what Scripture says about admonishment, reproof, rebuke, and correction. You will learn how important this is to our Lord God and why it should be important to you and me as well.
How much do you value truth? How much are you willing to seek truth? Do you have a sincere, heart-felt passion to know God’s will and walk in it, regardless of personal sacrifice on your part? How much are you willing to lay aside mistaken ideas, views, beliefs, and life patterns if you could be shown a better way and clearer truth? These are questions that we should ask ourselves as we think of the desire and need for correction.
Correction Needed for Change and Growth
If we are honest with ourselves, we know that we are not where God wants us to be. He wants us to grow and change and be more tomorrow than we are today. In fact, the Christian life is one of change—extensive, difficult, inner change and growth. This is what the Word of God describes. Paul wrote, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18.). This transformation requires knowledge and requires change. Do you welcome such transformation?
The apostle also wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Are we seeking to be transformed by the renewing of our mind? This too requires learning, knowledge, and change. Peter admonishes us: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18.). Are we actively pursuing this kind of spiritual growth in our life?
We know that this kind of inner change of character and outer change of behavior, requires extensive personal involvement on our part. Peter tells us: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Peter 1:14-15). On the one hand, we are not to be conformed to our past life or to the world around us. On the other hand, we are to actively seek to be holy—through the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).
We must remember that this personal growth is not merely self-effort, but it is an effort with God working in us to sanctify us and change us according to His Word and will. Paul explains this connection in Philippians 2:12-13: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” God is at work in the truly obedient believer. God grants us to be “strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).
We have seen that our growth and transformation comes through our own willingness, desire, and effort to change. But we must always bear in mind that God equips us “in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight” (Hebrews 13:21). Both personal growth in holiness and God’s inner power through the Holy Spirit come to us through God’s divine Word. This is why Paul could tell the Ephesian elders, “Now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). It is God’s Word that is active in our spirit and mind that enables us to grow in holiness and Christlikeness by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Giving and Receiving Admonishment
But is this all there is? Is there nothing further than personal effort, God’s strength, and God’s Word? There is another important component in our own personal growth and in our efforts to bring others to the point of change and growth. This has to do with personal sharing of truth with others and receiving truth from others. If we overlook this, we do so at our spiritual peril. How does this work?
Again and again in Scripture we are commanded to share the truth with others—for their own good and growth. Notice a few admonitions. Paul wrote, “Concerning you, my brethren, I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another” (Romans 15:14). The term “admonish” is from the Greek noutheto, meaning “to put in mind (from nouthethes and this from nous [mind] and tithemi [to place].” It may be translated as “admonish, warn, instruct.”[ii] Lawrence Richards states that the Greek means “to warn or advise” and “to instruct.” The noun form, nouthesia is translated as “admonishment” and has the idea of warn or warning, or instruct or train. He points out that we get the sense from Scripture that admonishing “is a ministry calling for much warmth and closeness.” He goes on to state, “When we love our brothers and sisters and have a genuine concern for their well-being, we can hardly hesitate to encourage them to live godly lives and thus bring glory to the Lord.”[iii] Giving admonishment to others is essential to their spiritual growth, and receiving admonishment is necessary to our own spiritual growth.
Admonishment and Correction Needed
From Genesis to Revelation, God emphasizes the need to receive admonishment and correction from others. He also stresses the importance of giving this to others, for their good. After the first sin, God encountered Adam and asked him penetrating questions to awake his conscience (Genesis 3:8ff). This was correction—and it was needed. After Cain killed Abel his brother, God confronted Cain and emphasized the seriousness of his sin of murder. Sadly, Cain didn’t repent (4:5ff). But this was needed reproof.
As we come to the New Testament, we notice that John the baptizer rebuked Herod, for “John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife’” (Mark 6:18.). The king refused to repent and eventually took John’s life (vv. 26-29). On one occasion, Jesus “rebuked” Peter because of his expression of words that would have subverted Christ’s mission on earth (Mark 8:33). After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples to Emmaus, and said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25). Sometimes people need to be awakened to their spiritual needs and knowledge of God’s plan. This is part of the rebuke, reproof, and correction process.
In the remainder of the New Testament writings, we often read of both giving and receiving admonishment and rebuke. Paul writes, “Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Our admonishing, encouraging, and helping must be done with a patient and kind attitude. Yet sometimes we must encounter those who are obstinate in their disobedience. In such cases, Paul would say, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12). If certain false teachers are hard and obstinate, Paul says that they should be confronted with severity. He states: “There are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for sake of sordid gain. . . . For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith” (Titus 1:10, 11, 13). While some people are to be confronted with gentleness, these men must receive a different response. They are to be “silenced” and are to be reproved “severely” (NASB) or “sharply” (ESV, NET Bible).
The Scriptures Needed in Correction
We are not to use our own wisdom or expertise when we speak to others, but we must always use the Scriptures as our source of truth. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Word of God should be used to teach another what is right and truthful. It should be used to admonish or reprove the person for his wrong beliefs and behavior. It must also be used to correct and restore the person to the right way. And, finally, the Scriptures should be used to train the person in the way of righteousness. The result is that one may be outfitted for every good deed.
Doctrine. The divine instruction or doctrinal content of both the OT and the NT. . . . The Scripture provides the comprehensive and complete body of divine truth necessary for life and godliness. . . .Reproof. Rebuke for wrong behavior or wrong belief. The Scripture exposes sin (Heb. 4:12,13) that can then be dealt with through confession and repentance. Correction. The restoration of something to its proper condition. . . . Instruction in righteousness. Scripture provides positive training. . . in godly behavior, not merely rebuke and correction of wrong behavior.[iv]
This shows how vital the written Word of God is in the process to maturity and holiness—and, significantly, this passage shows how the Scriptures are to be used by both us and others to bring about this desired end.
Even the old covenant writings were used in admonishment and correction. We read, “The commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). David also writes of the benefits of the Word of God to his life. With regard to the law, testimonies, precepts, and commandments, David says, “By them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11). Although some may react against the instructions of the Lord, we need to be “warned” by them for our own good.
Paul tells Timothy how he is to use the Word of God in his life. The apostle says, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). Notice that the reproving, rebuking, and exhorting must be done with the right attitude—with patience. Paul also gives this instruction: The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). The Word is to be used in this “correcting” admonishment. No fallible speculation will suffice.
If you are driving the wrong way on a one-way street, wouldn’t you want to be warned? If you are learning a new math procedure, wouldn’t you wish to be corrected for your mistakes? If you have a serious disease, wouldn’t you want the doctor to inform you of the danger? We immediately answer Yes. In a similar way, if we need spiritual correction, we should greatly welcome it so that we might not be guilty for doing nothing.
The Need to Share Truth with Others
Again and again in Scripture, we are urged to communicate truth with others that they may correct their belief and behavior. In the Law of Moses, we read: “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him” (Leveticus 19:17). The ESV puts it this way: “You shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.” This passage “probably has to do with a situation in which one who refuses to ‘reason frankly with his neighbor,’ helping him to see his sin, would share in the guilt of the neighbor’s sin when it is committed; it might also suggest that to fail to ‘reason frankly’ will result in bitter feelings that will overflow into sinful action.”[v] This should give us a great motivation to share truth with another for his good.
The Hebrew writer rightly says, “Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (3:13). The term “encourage” here is from the Greek parakaleite, meaning “to call on, entreat,” and also, “’to admonish, exhort, to urge’ one to pursue some course of conduct (always prospective, looking to the future, in contrast to the meaning to comfort, which is retrospective, having to do with trial experienced.)”[vi] In view of “the deceitfulness of sin,” we should earnestly “encourage” or “admonish” other believers that they might repent and make corrections in their life. Likewise, in light of this sin, we should openly welcome the admonishment of others lest we be deceived and remain in sin’s deadly grasp!
The Desirability of Receiving Truth from Others
Not only should we be willing to share truth with others, but we should value truth ourselves. One of the greatest expressions of love that a person may give to me is to point out my sin, the need of repentance, and the importance of change. God’s Word counsels, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:5-6a). How often we overlook this basic truth. It is one thing for a “friend” to say that he loves me; it is another thing for that person to demonstrate his love by correcting me if he finds a fault in my life! This passage says that such a friend will “wound” us, this is true, but he is faithful as he does this loving deed!
Open rebuke affords a person the chance to reflect on the course of the faith he or she is walking, where hidden love perceives but fails to communicate the possibility of such a need. The wounds of a friend are meant to cut to the heart for the good of the person.[vii]
We should highly prize a friend’s willingness to point out our errors and failings (providing this is not done in a critical and harsh way). “He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue” (Proverbs 28:23). Have you not been favorably inclined to a person who ventured to rebuke you for one of your failings? If we value truth and sincerely desire change toward increasing holiness, we will definitely crave this correction more than a false friend who flatters us hypocritically.
Another statement about receiving admonishment would be Ecclesiastes 7:5: “It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools.” Do we honestly want another person to rebuke us if we really do need it? This is the only way we can correct wrong behavior and grow closer to God’s will. Another reason to welcome a friend’s admonishment and rebuke is that we will grow in wisdom through the encounter. “He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31). Do we react to such reproof—or do we encourage it so that we might have life and wisdom?
We may respond to such admonishment in one of two ways. We may either love the reproof because of the spiritual benefit it brings to us, or we may react to the reproof and express our ignorance. Note how this is expressed: “Whoever loves discipline [or instruction] loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). If we want knowledge as sincere followers of Christ, let us open ourselves up to spiritual correction.[viii]
Proper Attitudes in Giving and Receiving Admonishment
Suppose that you tell your wife, “I love you!” This is a fitting, desirable, and normal sentiment, isn’t it. But the statement will mean nothing—less than nothing—if your heart did not have a genuine, sacrificial love for your wife. The attitude you have when you say something makes all the difference in the world. You must have “sincere love” or “unhypocritical love” in order for your words to mean anything and in order to warm the heart of your wife.
The Lord wants us to admonish others—especially those close to us, those in our family, and those within the family of God. But He wants us to have pure motives and a sincere heart as we do this admonishing. Notice a few passages that show us this inner attitude that must accompany an outward admonishment:
Spirituality and Gentleness: “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you will not be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Kindness, patience, and gentleness: “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
Sincerity and lack of hypocrisy: “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).
Love: “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed” (Proverbs 27:5).
Righteousness: “Let the righteous strike me, it shall be a kindness” (Psalm 141:5).
Love and Gentleness: “What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?” (1 Corinthians 4:21).
Brotherliness: “Do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
Obviously, the Christian should manifest the entire spectrum of spiritual qualities mentioned in Scripture. The fruit of the Spirit enables one to admonish and correct another person with the right spirit or attitude.
Being Open to Correction and Change
Since God uses other people to show us our faults and help us to effect change in our life, let us openly welcome this for our own good! Let us never refuse to be corrected, never reject someone’s admonishment, or never take lightly the critical comments of another person. While it is easier to be corrected by a kind and gentle person, let us even welcome someone’s harsh or unkind criticism. It may be that we can even learn something of value from a rebuke that we consider unjustified and unfair. Let us have a heart to receive correction! So much value may come from negative comments from others. What we may consider “negative” may actually include some helpful admonition that could improve our walk with the Lord and make us a better person.
Suppose that you were walking on a sightseeing journey in a large city. You don’t know the city well and have tried to plan your walk with a map. Now imagine that someone stops us and asks us where we are going. We explain and the person tells us that it would be better to go down two blocks, travel three blocks and turn right to see a famous landmark and to then travel a block to the left to visit a beautiful park. This person happens to be a policeman who has served in this city for twenty years. Would it be wise to follow the kind officer’s directions? Indeed, it would. Otherwise, we might wander around in confusion and even walk through dangerous neighborhoods. Likewise, we just don’t know everything about life and God’s will and if someone with a better knowledge can share some truth to us, let us welcome the admonition!
The Scriptures frequently emphasize the benefits of receiving counsel and admonition. Notice this passage that we cited before: “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:5-6a). This speaks of love that offers us a rebuke and the “faithful” wounds of a friend. Yes, this rebuke may give us a “wound” but the outcome can be positive. Another passage we noticed earlier says it well: “Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head; do not let my head refuse it” (Psalm 141:5). In this case, the admonition is likened to being smitten but the result is refreshing and positive. “The discipling blows and rebukes of the righteous are the true ‘kindness.’”[ix]
If we are wise and understanding, we will invite the admonitions of others so that we might grow. Solomon wrote, “A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool” (Proverbs 17:10). If we have spiritual understanding, we will receive a rightful rebuke and it will go deep into our soul for our wellbeing and growth. Notice also the two responses to admonition: “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence” (Proverbs 15:32, ESV). Again, we see the great benefits to being open to admonition. “He who regards reproof is sensible” (15:5b). Notice another vivid verse of instruction: “Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge” (19:25, ESV). A scoffer doesn’t learn at all, the simple will learn by seeing, but a wise person simply needs a word to learn.[x]
The follower of Christ who really values God’s word and His will may find opportunities to learn and change from many sources. The key is to be open to God’s will communicated through others. James tells us that “the wisdom from above” is “reasonable” (3:17). This may be translated as “willing to yield” (NASB margin and NKJV). It may also be rendered as “open to reason” (ESV), “accommodating” (NET Bible), or “open to persuasion.”[xi] “The original term described someone who was teachable, compliant, easily persuaded, and who willingly submitted to military discipline or moral and legal standards.”[xii] We can see the value of having this teachable spirit if we would have Godly wisdom. Do you have a worldly “wisdom” that resists reproof and correction—or do you have this spiritual wisdom that is willing to be persuaded when in the wrong?
Only a few days ago, I was corresponding with a friend and I received a letter stating the person’s reluctance to write and point out what was perceived to be an error in my beliefs. This is the way the letter began:
Quote:
I hope that you will not be offended at all by my comments. This has been something that I have held back for a long time now -- partly because of not wanting to hurt or offend you, and also because of the deplorable spiritual state that I have found myself in over and over for lack of obedience. However, I believe that it would be best to tell you what I really think at the risk of offending you and also at the risk of you thinking that I am a hypocrite for my comments because of the way that I have been living. . . . First, I believe that you are genuinely deceived pertaining this matter. The reason that I believe that, Richard, is because frankly I just don't believe that you see this accurately. . . .I am going to quit here for now, but I am definitely open to further discussion about this matter. I just don't want to engage in any quarrel with you, but debate is fine.
I wrote back to the correspondent and said that I am glad that she wrote and invite her or anyone else who believes that I should be corrected in any matter—whether beliefs, teachings, or action. I told her that I sincerely and earnestly want correction if anyone should think that I need it for this is the way to learn, evaluate what we believe, and to know more of God’s will. Paul wrote to his son in the faith, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16). Others may see something that I don’t see—and I want to see and understand. On the other hand, if the other person is seeing something inaccurately and wrong (as I believe this person was), then I would have the opportunity to clarify the issues so that truth may prevail. If the other person values truth as much as you do, then both the corrector and the corrected will benefit.
Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” will take every opportunity to seek counsel and run after instruction (Matthew 5:6). If we value God’s righteousness, we will be willing to endure whatever reproof or rebuke may be needed. We need the same attitude as the noble-minded Bereans. Paul came to this town and proclaimed the message of salvation to them. How did they respond? Did they react? Did they reject? Did they ridicule? “These were more noble minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Although this is speaking of the message of salvation itself, the same principle is true for any Biblical truth that someone may bring to our attention. Do we “receive the word” of truth they bring, do we have “great eagerness” in being open to the truth, and do we “examine the Scriptures” to determine whether the word they bring is actually true?
The two possible responses to correction are vividly set forth in Proverbs 9:7-10:
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Notice the response of the scoffer. The scoffer will insult the person who approaches him with admonition. He will also “hate” the one who offers a legitimate reproof. We have probably all known people like this. We approach a person with love and kindness and with a sincere desire to help by admonishing the person. Maybe we want to share with the person a sin we have noticed in his life. Or we want to help the person eliminate a fleshly attitude, a carnal disposition, a wrong view, or a compromising behavior. But instead of receiving our correction, the person reacts. He may “clam up” and refuse to speak. He may withdraw from us and refuse to have contact with us. He may be “hurt” for he is unwilling to admit his error and his opinion of himself is so high that he is refuses to acknowledge that he is wrong. Instead of solidifying a relationship, the offended person rejects us and obstinately remains in his error and sin.
On the other hand, notice the very different response of the Godly and righteous person who values knowledge and is open to change. Scripture says, “Reprove a wise man and he will love you” (v. 8.). If a person has spiritual wisdom, he will “love” the person who brings a word of reproof! He recognizes that God could be using the reprover or admonisher for His purposes, to bring about a greater conformity to His will and ways. Instead of hating the admonisher (as the scoffer did), the wise person will love the admonisher for he represents the opportunity to learn, to grow, to better understand God’s will, and to improve one’s own character. Again, the passage shows the connection between admonishment and growth in knowledge: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning” (v. 9). This shows a connection between being a “wise” person who craves more knowledge and the “righteous” person who will grow in learning. They go hand in hand. The truly wise person, with God’s wisdom, will be a righteous man, and a righteous man will have spiritual wisdom. The important point is that this person will be very open to the reproof and correction of another person.
Reaction and Rejection of Admonition
Although admonition can and should be a positive experience, we know that not everyone sees it this way. In fact, probably most people either neglect admonition, or react to it, or totally reject it. Admonition seems to be saying that there is some defect in our knowledge, out behavior, or our character—and we need to change. Most people resist change, thus they resist those who imply that they need to change.
