What about a worldly mind-set?

 

What is a Christian supposed to do when another Christian is walking in the flesh? The NT instructions could prompt a lot of discussion. Several come to mind that say this is to be done in Christ-like gentleness. Most of those refer to telling truth to unbelievers.

However, God is not so gentle when it comes to dealing with Christians who sin and should know better. For example:

Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. (Psalm 141:5)
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:5-6)
Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. (Proverbs 28:23)
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (Luke 17:3)
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (1 Timothy 5:20)
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, (Titus 1:13)
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:15)

Most Christians have an aversion to a preacher who shakes their finger at them. As I read the OT prophets, it seems that a lot of that is happening, but at the same time, writers like Isaiah and Jeremiah also speak about the goodness and power of God. He gave His people reasons why they should obey God and rebuked them for their unbelief and disobedience. Yet who enjoys rebuke!

Sometimes in a group that gather for study and prayer, some of those present try to “fix” the problems presented in prayer requests rather than asking God’s will to be done. They may tell the person who made the request how to fix their problem, which could be helpful (or not), but often do it by telling God how to fix it. as if our ideas are solutions God never thought of, or worse, that He doesn’t know what He is doing. Many prayers are for the comfort rather than the will of God.

Think of what Jesus said to Peter when this man said Jesus should not die:

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:21–23)

The words do not convey whether Jesus spoke gently or with strong authority, but He did not thank Peter for being concerned. This disciple was thinking about comfort and that his friend should never suffer or die, but not the will of God. Did he not hear Jesus pray, “Not My will but Thine be done”?

When a Christian is behaving or even talking as if they don’t know God, I usually pray for them, but sometimes God wants me to say something. To be like Jesus could mean a gentle and private conversation, but as the above verses say, Jesus was not always that way with His rebukes. Sometimes He used sharp words. When He speaks to me, He is usually gentle too, but I know the feel of His sharpness. It usually comes when I’ve persisted in having my own way for some time and need a swift kick instead of a soft warning.

PRAY: Lord, I rebuked someone who persists in trying to “fix” the problems of others, even those who are trusting You to take care of them. This person wants everyone to be comfortable and seems oblivious to the reality that You use even tough trials for our good. Wanting to be comfortable all the time can mean pushing Your will out of the picture. Thank You for letting me know that a rebuke can be sharp and reminding me that if Peter had his way, You would not have gone to the cross. Then where would we be!