And you’re right, its not always sweet. But I think it should always be encouraging. I still believe that it shouldnt make a person feel guilty. It should make them realize what they are doing and turn from doing that, but guilt and realization are two different things. I see it more as an eye opener.

The bible verse you quoted sums it up perfectly in my opinion. Where is that from? A “quiet rebuke” to me says “grace” whereas “whack on the head” says “make someone feel bad about themselves.”

I believe God wants us to realize what we ARE and turn towards that, not what we’re NOT and focusing on that.

I appreciate the kind words, as well. Thank you!

And maybe this is a generational thing… I sort of think it is… but your generation is doing itself a disservice in rejecting the concept of rebuke. Even icky, ugly rebuke. Here is why I think so:

Every generation has its handcrafted and favored lies it buys into. The goal of a positive affirming reaction as being not only necessary, but the only acceptable response is crippling.

“A rebuke should never discourage someone. It should never leave the person feeling guilty.”
Really ? Really? Are you very sure of that?

Because I see those who are mourning their innocence, mourning the ugliness of life they have stumbled into primarily because this ideal of “no guilt” communication left them defenseless in a world that is laced with real…actual… evil. Rebuke and guilt when properly understood are painful warnings that something is horribly askew.

The Bible says,”A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.”

I guess where I agree would be the spirit in which a rebuke is given. Too often rebuke arises from pride and desire to intimidate and dominate. Any type of correction is a type of rebuke, and sometimes it isn’t sweet or encouraging to one rebuked. But it can be, and that turns it around to the one receiving it.

I wish we could only give “graceful enticements” to living better or turning from doom. But not all circumstances or personal situations are given to that, that said, a soft graceful speech should be given first place.

Thanks for the thought inspiring post… even if I don’t fully agree with your conclusion I appreciate your process.

Mike, I see what you are saying but I don’t think Jesus’ rebuke was out of emotion necessarily, more out of “I gotta get through to these people”. That’s just how I view it though.

And are you saying God is using the street preacher to judge the world, or am I just reading that wrong? Because I disagree with that statement. God will judge the world, not a dude on a soapbox.

Thanks for making me think about it more! And yeah, we should do dinner sometime.