Correct Rightly

Have you ever heard someone sharply rebuke another person, correcting their errors? Where the one on the receiving end did something undeniably wrong. Yet, the one confronting came across with such an attitude and harsh words that the other would not listen. Not only that, but it also sparked a huge argument, characterized by a back-and-forth fight and accusations, anger, and sharp disagreement on every level. Surely there has to be a better way.

Most of us have either heard this happen or have been a part of it, even on the receiving end. Many times it is not a good time. In this manner, it was neither good, productive, healthy, nor godly for either participant. Let me explain why.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be righteous and pure in all our ways. As the Lord said, “Be holy as I am holy.” Then, of course, that brings up several questions. Is this the right way to correct someone? Is there a better way? Or should we not do it at all? The truth is, we are called to call out sin among brothers when we see it happen. Yet, God warns us to be careful how we handle it. But this doesn’t mean that we should not correct, rebuke, or instruct those who sin. Surely there is a right way to correct another brother or sister in Christ.

Remember, we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory daily. Through what God desires, we all need to be led to the truth and given an opportunity for repentance that leads to forgiveness, healing, and restoration. We all need to seek the Lord Jesus, the Father’s wisdom, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit on these matters. Besides, if we did not call someone out, how else would any of us ever turn from our sin unless someone points it out? After the points are made, it is up to the recipient to receive them and take them to heart.

Romans 10:14-15 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

So, as scripture says, those who bring the good news of the Gospel, correction, or instruction, their actions are beautiful in God’s eyes. Many of us who are wise invite another wise person to tell us when we are wrong. For this express purpose, so we may continue to grow more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was perfect in all His ways, and we should desire to become like Him, too. To be righteous is our main goal; this is what God calls us to be.

Psalm 98:9 “For He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

Acts 17:31 “Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man(Jesus) whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”

It is the fool who will not listen or heed God’s warnings. Yet, no one will listen to a harsh rebuke, void of love, patience, and compassion. We see that even though you may have good intentions to correct, it is also foolish to sin in the process. Before you rush to correct or rebuke, check yourself, repent of your sins, and purify your heart before God. Otherwise, it can lead to disastrous results, and more problems and sins will follow.

2 Timothy 2:22-26 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

Galatians 6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

Ephesians 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

If you truly desire to follow and obey Jesus. In that case, you will learn to examine yourself before you decide to correct another’s errors. Nothing good comes from a harsh, impatient, and loveless rebuke. It only drives both parties further into sin and causes further pain, suffering, and hurt. So follow the example of the Lord’s servant recorded in His Word and be like David, who cried out for the Lord to examine his ways and purify his own heart first and foremost. Then, with the right heart and spirit, gently show someone their sin, that they may receive it, turn to the Lord, repent, and be forgiven. This is the way God wants us to rebuke one another.

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 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.”