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Leadership & Life
Discipline And Rebuke: The Bible Standard
Mal Fletcher
In an age where truth has given way to image ('the appearance is more important than the reality'), pragmatism ('it's right because it works') and political correctness ('it doesn't matter what you think is right, as long as you're nice about it'), many Christian leaders do not like to think about rebuke or discipline.
Where that is the case, Biblical standards are replaced with expediency and Christ is not honored. Sin's greatest characteristic is deception: people who continue to sin in a particular way will often refuse to see the wrong in what they are doing, and the harm it can bring to the body of believers.
The purpose of this study is simply to show the Biblical basis for rebuke and discipline and the importance of these in the role of a good leader. This study is written primarily to leaders and should be understood in that light, although the principles apply to all.
If you are a Youth Leader in a local church, it is essential that you have the covering and approval of your senior leadership oversight before taking on the more stringent aspects of the rebuke or discipline process.
1. A Biblical Basis for Rebuke:
a) Read Leviticus 19:17 & Ezekiel 3:17-19
b) Jesus did not abdicate responsibility to rebuke:
-- Nature (Matt. 8:26)
-- Demonic Forces (Matt. 17:18)
-- Sickness (Luke 4:39)
-- Religious Materialism (John 2:13-25)
-- Patronizing Religion (John 7:36-50)
-- The Disciples (Mark 8:33)
2. Bible Reasons To Rebuke:
a) Our sin put Jesus on the Cross -- Matt. 20:28
b) Silence encourages the sinner in their sin -- Ezekiel 3:17-19 (we are accountable for how we lead)
c) Rebuke is a sign of love -- Proverbs 3:12
d) Rebuke is necessary for growth -- John 15:2
e) Refusal to discipline is people-pleasing rather than God-pleasing -- Jer. 1:6-8 (& Prov. 29:25)
f) God commands us to rebuke - 1 Timothy 5:20 (not to rebuke is rebellion)
3. How To Rebuke God's Way
The scripture leaves no room for doubt when it comes to the question: "Should Christian leaders ever rebuke people?" The answer is clearly "yes". However, the big issue is how we go about it. We must be sure to do it in a Christ-like way, for the good of the other person and the group in our care.
a) Decide on the Severity: The severity of a Rebuke will depend on:
(i) Your RELATION to the one sinning - eg on the basis of their age (1 Tim. 5:1) or familiarity to you.
(ii) The KNOWLEDGE of the one sinning - just how informed they are re the proper standards God requires (Matt. 23:13-33). Some further teaching may be needed before you resort to rebuke.
(iii) The FREQUENCY of the offence - is the person in the habit of offending in this particular way, or is this offence a "one-off"?
b) Check For Wrong Attitudes -- In You, the Leader! If we are to discipline people well, with right motives and goals, we will need to keep our hearts pure of:
(i) The CONTROL Trap
-- A Martyr controls through Guilt - Passive: "Look what you're doing to me!"
-- A Dictator controls through Fear - Aggressive: "Look what I'll do to you!"
-- An Asserter is comfortable expressing his/her views, or outlining God's word, while respecting the feelings of the other person. He/she sticks by important (God-given) rules, and avoids trivial matters of taste or style.
(ii) The APPROVAL Trap
-- Fear of Risk: "If I discipline, I may lose the affection or approval of the youth or their parents". There is always a risk in any form of godly discipline, but the risk is worth it!
(iii) The SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS Trap
-- An over-valuation of your own record: "I am always right. I never make a mistake. I have the right to be severe."
(iv) The SUPRESSION Trap
-- "If I just ignore this problem, it will all go away. God will deal with it without my involvement as a leader."
c) Do It Right! There is a Christ-like pattern for discipline and rebuke (Cf. Matthew 18:15-20). Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
(i) Get your facts straight. Don't operate on hearsay, or a "gut feeling" that something is wrong.
(ii) Go to the offender in person. Don't try to discipline by "remote control".
(iii) Go in love. Determine to do what is in the other person's (and the group's) best interests, rather than your own.
(iv) Appreciate the importance and the intended outcome of rebuke. Keep your eyes on the good goal: the restoration of the offender and the edification of the group.
(v) If offender does not respond well or repent, go again with one or two other trusted, mature people. They will need to be people who can respect confidentiality
(vi) If there is still no positive response, take the matter before the whole group. This is a last resort, but an important one. The group must be protected from the ongoing sin of the wrongdoer. If this kind of situation arose, you should take it to your senior pastor or leadership oversight. This is a matter which should be dealt with, or at least approved and supported, at that level.
(vii) If there is still no repentance, treat the offender as an outsider. It may become necessary, if a person simply will not repent, to cut them off from fellowship. This does not mean that you, the leader, will necessarily yourself off from all contact -- for that would mean there is no opportunity for the person to repent -- but it may mean you discourage people under your care from having close contact with the person. It will usually mean that the person is not permitted into your meetings.
(viii) Act on God's behalf, with a strong prayer covering. Take your God-given role and responsibility as a leader seriously, without taking yourself too seriously (and becoming condemnatory). Pray hard before you do anything!
(ix) Allow room for Restoration. The offending person must know that, even when all the above has taken place, there is still room for forgiveness and restoration through sincere evidence of repentance.
(x) Watch your own life. It is easy to become so pre-occupied with being an overseer that you stop watching over your own heart, relationships and behavior.
(xi) Be prepared to take a risk. Be bold enough to speak the Word of God into a situation, without fear of men. The people in your care who sincerely love the Lord will respect and love you for being willing to give them a strong and secure spiritual home.
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