Sermon Central
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When Rebuking Is Not Appropriate Series
Contributed by George Barton on Mar 18, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus told us that we need to rebuke erring brothers. However, such rebuke is certainly not appropriate at certain times and conditions.
WHEN REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE
REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF IT IS PUBLIC AND HAS NOT GONE THROUGH THE PROPER PRIVATE STAGES. Mat 18:15-17; Pro 10:12; 11:13; 17:9; 18:8; 28:13; 1 Peter 4:8; Psalm 32:1-5; Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; Jer 31:34; Hebrews 8:6-13
2. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF SUFFERING WRONG AND BEING QUIET ABOUT IT ARE BETTER ALTERNATIVES FOR THE PERSON DOING THE REBUKING AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE CONCERNED. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON DOING THE REBUKING IS BEING SELFISH, UNLOVING, UNFORGIVING, WRATHFUL, VENGEFUL, PROUD, NEGATIVELY JUDGMENTAL, OR PROMOTING DISCORD. Mat 5:12-26; 1 Cor 6:1-8; Luke 17:3-10; Romans 12:17-21; Gal 6:1-4; Phi 2:3; 2 Tim 2:22-26; 1 Pet 3:1-6; Pro 3:30; 6:16-19; 10:12; 15:18; 17:14,19,27; 18:6; 20:3; 25:8-12; 26:20-21; 29:22;
1. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON REBUKING HAS NOT ESTABLISHED A PROPER PROFESSIONAL, TEACHING, COUNSELING, BUSINESS, FRIENDLY, OR BROTHERLY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PERSON BEING REBUKED. IN OTHER WORDS, CERTAIN KINDS OF REBUKE ARE ONLY APPROPRIATE TO CERTAIN KINDS OF RELATIONSHIPS AND TO CERTAIN KINDS OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Mat 18:15; Luke 17:3; Jam 3:1-18; Pro 26:17
2. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON BEING REBUKED IS TOO INSECURE TO HANDLE THE REBUKE, AND WILL IN SOME WAY BE DESTROYED BY THE REBUKE. Compare #9 below. Romans 14:1-23.
3. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON BEING REBUKED IS TOO STUBBORN AND FOOLISH TO RECEIVE THE REBUKE. Mat 7:5; Pro 9:7-8.
After a person has been given prolonged unheeded rebuke, you either excommunicate him or withdraw from him. 1 Cor 5:1-13; 1 Tim 1:20;
Tit 3:10-11; 2 John 9-10; Rom 16:17-18; 2 The 3:6; 1 Tim 6:3-5;
2 Tim 3:1-5
4. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON REBUKING IS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE SAME KIND OF MEDICINE AS HE IS DISHING OUT. Mat. 7:1-5
7. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON REBUKING DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY. PROPER COMMUNICATION INVOLVES LISTENING CAREFULLY TO THE PERSON BEING REBUKED. Gen 3; Jam 1:19
5. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON REBUKING DOES NOT SHOW A PROPER RESPECT FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY. Lev. 20:9; Num 16; Jos 7; 2 Kin 2:23-24; 2 Chr 36:11-21; 1 Tim 5:1-2, 19-20; Heb 13:7-8,17; Jude 4, 8-11
9. REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE MATTER UNDER DISCUSSION IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL MATTER. Rom 14; 1 Cor 8:1-13
REBUKING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IF THE PERSON DOING THE REBUKING IS BEING HYPOCRITICAL. 1 Sam 12:1-26; Acts 20: 26-38; Mat 7:1-5
