DAY 3 — “Should We Rebuke People Today? Or Is There a Better, Biblical Way?”

There is a question many of us have thought about, and some have found the answer, while others still wrestle with: Should we be rebuking people today the way we see in Scripture, or is there a better way to handle correction in this season of our Christian walk? 

Because if we are honest, some believers correct as if they are the Holy Spirit Himself. On the other extreme, others avoid correction altogether because they are afraid of hurting someone. 

And somewhere in the middle is the balance Jesus showed us — firm truth, steady love, and spiritual wisdom.

As we look at the life of Jesus, we notice something important: He never corrected people the same way in every situation. He knew the heart of the person standing in front of Him. He knew whether the issue was rebellion, misunderstanding, immaturity, fear, or a spiritual influence. 

Now, we don’t have that kind of perfect insight, which is why our approach to correction must be humble, prayerful, and Spirit-led.

The Bible gives us guidance in 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV): “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

Notice the last part: with all longsuffering and doctrine. That means correction is not rushed, and it is not emotional. It is patient, measured, and rooted in Scripture — not rooted in our personal feelings.

We also read in Colossians 3:16 (KJV): “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another…”

Where some Christians or people in general fall down, is that we don’t appreciate that teaching comes before admonishing. And wisdom comes before warning. Some of us jump to confrontation before we even consider compassion. 

But the Apostle Paul places the Word first, wisdom second, and admonishing last — meaning correction is the fruit of a heart filled with God’s Word, not the expression of our irritation.

Proverbs gives us wisdom as well. Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

This verse reminds us again that the posture of our hearts matters. We cannot correct properly with a harsh tongue. We cannot call it spiritual when the tone is anything but Christlike. 

Why? Because correction without gentleness becomes a personal attack, and that is not the way of the Kingdom.

We continue. There is another reminder in Titus 3:2 (KJV): “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. It means we don’t correct from a place of superiority. We don’t speak down to others. We don’t use rebuke to elevate ourselves or make someone feel small. 

When meekness is missing, correction becomes manipulation. When meekness is present, correction becomes ministry.

Some translations paraphrase the principle behind these verses by saying that correction should help people grow, not shut them down. That captures the heart of Jesus — He corrected to restore, never to dominate. 

And this is why we must consider carefully whether we should rebuke at all, or whether there is a better, more biblical way to help someone see truth.

The Holy Spirit often leads us to ask questions, to share Scripture gently, to encourage someone toward a different path, or to pray for them quietly before ever opening our mouths. 

Not every issue requires a rebuke. Some require a conversation. Some require patience. Some require intervention or intercession. And some require silence until God gives the right timing.

As we study this together, we begin to realise something: Rebuke is not our first tool — wisdom is. And wisdom will tell us when to speak, how to speak, and whether to speak at all. 

Wisdom will also check our motives. Are we correcting to restore? Or are we correcting to release our frustration? Are we led by the Spirit? Or by our assumptions? By discernment? Or by disappointment?

The question we must ask ourselves is simple: Are we building people, or are we breaking them? Because correction done the wrong way carries the potential to injure, but correction done God’s way carries the power to heal.

As we step deeper into spiritual maturity, we learn to choose the better path — the path of patience, discernment, compassion, timing, and truth, all working together. And when correction flows from that place, it reflects the heart of Christ rather than the impatience of the flesh.

That’s when rebuke becomes a tool of restoration, not destruction.

That’s when we grow into spiritual adults.

And that’s when our words begin to carry the same life Jesus intended.