KEY SCRIPTURE: 2Ti 4:2 KJV” Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

Reproof is the act of stating to one or a group of people about their error. It is a way of bringing people to be conscious of their error and to bring them into a conviction of their deviation from the truth. Reproof is not intended to break the spirit of the individual. Although it may bring sorrow leading to repentance,it is never intended to proceed from a heart to hurt or to satisfy his or her ego. The following is the attitude one has to have when reproving. Gal 6:1 KJV” Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Reproves should always be made in the spirit of meekness,  never in the spirit of pride or just  to punish the brother or sister. The scriptures are full of examples of reproves. We can look at one example in the book of Galatians. Gal 3:1 KJV “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” He tells them they are being foolish. He tells them further that Christ was set forth as fully crucified before them, yet they were turning to works of the flesh. He had clearly set forth their error. He had  reproved them.
He was very passionate about it, yet he sincerely loved them. He was just putting them down, but was so concerned about their folly and the implications  of it.

It is not everyone who should reprove. It is only a well-informed person who can reprove. You reprove by showing the person what the truth is and then stating where they have faulted  and how they have faulted. We come back to the scripture that says study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. After being clearly informed about the truth, pray for the people you intend to reprove. Most errors are propagated by the enemy. There are some who may be obsessed with their error, and it becomes very difficult for them to accept that they are at fault. The Holy Spirit, through your intercessions, would open them up to the truth. It is after these preparations that you will be ready to  tell your brother or sister how much he is falling.

THOUGHT: ALWAYS REPROVE IN LOVE

FURTHER STUDIES

Eph 4:15 KJV But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Luke 6:39 KJV And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?