Being Successful The Rebuke

Being Successful

The Rebuke

Don’t let your emotions get in the way of a rebuke

Handling a rebuke is not easy

A rebuke is an accusation of being wrong

I hate to be wrong and I hate to be accused of being wrong

It is embarrassing

Rebukes are personal

A rebuke is anger against something I said or did

And what I said or did is a part of me

So a rebuke is a personal assault

Rebukes are necessary

The Rebuke

Handling a rebuke is not easy.

A rebuke is an accusation of being wrong.

I hate to be wrong and I hate to be accused of being wrong.

It is embarrassing.

Rebukes are personal.

A rebuke is anger against something I said or did.

And what I said or did is a part of me.

So a rebuke is a personal assault.

No wonder Proverbs 3 says…

“My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke,”

 

There are two ways the Lord rebukes us…

Through His Word and through Discipline.

When God’s Word is read or preached,

it many times speaks to issues in my life.

Things that need correction.

Most of us have a hearing problem

and that is where Discipline comes in.

God gets our attention through

the school of hard knocks.

It is important that we realize the rebuke of the Lord

comes because He loves us and wants the best for us.

There is a third way the Lord rebukes us…

It is the rebuke that comes through another person.

 I have been amazed at the story of King David

when he was fleeing from his son.

Shimei a man from Bahurim came out

throwing rocks and insults at David.

Abishai David’s loyal nephew asked

David for approval to kill Shimei.

Listen to David’s response…

 

“Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him.

12 Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction

and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”

David controlled his anger.

David looked for the Lord’s loving mercy and grace.

Learn how to handle rebukes.

No matter where they come from.

Control your anger.

Be confident the Lord loves you

 whether you are right or wrong.

“Rebuke a wise man and he will love you.”
(Proverbs 9:8)

God used a donkey to rebuke a man and save his life!

TRUE FREEDOM is being able to

receive correction from anyone,
even those we esteem least.

The Lord disciplines those He loves.

When you receive a rebuke

don’t lose sight of God’s love.

The type of love that wants to make you holy and right.

 

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 3:11,12

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD

disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

2 Samuel 16:9-13

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and cut off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him. 12 Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” 13 So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Ecclesiastics 7:5

It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man
Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

Luke 17:3,4

If you give a rebuke be willing to forgive

Be on your guard!

If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

4 And if he sins against you seven times a day,

and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”