Reproof -tf

(Admonition, Correction, Exhortation, Instruction, Rebuke)

Psalm 141:5 "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." (What power here.)

Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (The Lord knows our nature.)

EXAMPLE: Genesis 4:1-7 [Cain's rejection of the Lord's reproof]

Revelation 3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Leviticus 19:17 ". . . thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."

Ecclesiastes 7:5 "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."

Proverbs 19:25 ". . . reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge."

21:11 "When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge."

20:15 ". . . the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."

25:12 "As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear."

(Maybe you're not being "picked on!")

27:5 "Open rebuke is better than secret love. (This wisdom runs against everything that men ever came up with!)

v. 6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

(Matthew 16:23-26 "[Jesus] . . . said unto Peter, Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offence unto me. . . .")

(Luke 22:47-48 ". . . Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.")

28:23 "He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue."

2^nd Timothy 4:1-4 "I charge thee therefore before God . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

Titus 1:7-16 "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. . . ."

Hebrews 3:12-14 "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

THE PROBLEM WITH REPROVING EVERYBODY

Proverbs 9:7-9 "He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

(Amos 5:10 "They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.")

(Galatians 4:16 "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?") [The answer is always "Yes."]

HOW TO REPROVE (First, determine the circumstances and consider the desired result.)

1^st Timothy 5:1 "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren. . . ."

(Example: Luke 7:36-48 "And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.")

Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

(A) Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."

(B) 1^st Timothy 5:20-21 "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

RECEIVING REPROOF

Hebrews 12:5,6,11 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

Ecclesiastes 4:13 "Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished."

Proverbs 10:17 "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth."

12:1 "Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish."

13:18 "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."

15:5 "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent."

v. 10 "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

v. 12 "A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise."

vs. 31-33 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."

17:10 "A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool."

19:20 "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."

29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

1st Peter 5:5 "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."