RIGHTLY RESPOND TO REBUKE – OR BECOME A FOOL

No one likes to be corrected. And even more challenging is to be directly rebuked by a fellow believer. My guess is that the majority of us would consider a rebuke of any kind to be “unkind” – and even unscriptural. But God’s Word does give room for godly rebukes. There are appropriate parameters, for sure, but it’s there. But what’s more important is not the rebuke itself. It’s our response. Regardless of the delivery or tone, if the rebuke given is justified, our responsibility is to heed the instruction and learn the lesson. 

And based on a recent dream, it’s apparent that leaders need to set the standard in how to respond to such rebukes…

The dream I had was uncomfortable. Probably because my own actions in the dream were a bit surprising, and even unsettling. In the dream, I witnessed some leaders caught in deception. I knew they had been doing this for a while and were intentionally misleading people. I couldn’t believe how brazen they were in saying one thing and doing another, knowing the impact it was having. I then saw myself go behind the scenes to confront them directly and started rebuking them on the spot. I was speaking with a boldness that wasn’t my own, and had no hesitation because I had seen the evidence firsthand and was filled with righteous indignation. I spoke clearly concerning the charge against them and their duplicity, calling for them to repent.

Then as I walked away from the scene I followed the woman responsible (I knew she was headed to a public area). I was telling her, “I can’t believe you’re doing this! How can you live with yourself? You’ll have to answer for this!” Again, I was surprised at my direct confrontation, but there was no doubt in my heart concerning the truth of this charge. It was one final warning for her to consider the severe consequences of this blatant sin. But when she turned around, I was shocked at her response. Instead of giving any kind of rebuttal or trying to change my mind, she simply looked at me in disdain with a mocking smile on her face. She knew what she had done and wasn’t about to back down. She actually seemed proud of it. My rebukes did nothing but embolden her. I was taken aback by her outright defiance and pride.

Then the scene changed and I saw a leader standing on a platform with other leaders. But this one stood out. This leader had given himself to deception for so long, his appearance had actually changed. After consistently using his position to manipulate facts and deny the truth, his entire face had turned bright yellow and he was wearing a clown suit. With a dunce cap on his head, he looked like a literal fool. In the dream, I simply knew that this appearance was the result of consistent rebellion and refusal to acknowledge wrong-doing. His cowardice had now become his covering.  

“Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding” (Proverbs 10:23).

My first reaction upon waking was wondering how I could be so bold to directly rebuke these leaders. In real life, I have usually been one to appeal to others “with gentleness” as Scripture dictates (2 Timothy 2:25). But in the dream, I had no hesitation. I simply knew that I had full authorization to make the claims I did and was pleading with these leaders to stop the damage being done. And though I initially confronted them privately, I knew it was about to go public. 

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

Though this kind of rebuke (reproof) is certainly not the norm for most believers, God clearly tells us that there are times it is needed for the sake of the Body. When someone consistently ignores His warnings and deliberately refuses to acknowledge wrongdoing, He will send someone with a rebuke:

* Nathan rebuked David (2 Samuel 12:1-14)
* Samuel rebuked Saul ( 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:10-35)
* Jesus rebuked Peter (Matthew 16:21-23)
* Paul rebuked Peter (Galatians 2:11-14)
* Peter rebuked Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).

In all these cases, there was clear disobedience to God’s Word and a violation against God’s people. And these were not indirect suggestions, but direct rebukes that carried strong language and heavy consequences. And in each case, it was the response of the one being charged that ultimately determined the outcome.

I believe the message in this dream is not just about the necessity for godly rebukes, but the weight of one’s response. 

Regardless of the tone, the method of delivery, or even whether a rebuke is 100% accurate, if there is any truth to it, one who walks in the fear of the Lord will pay attention and receive whatever instruction is there.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

Our default mode will be to point to the rebuke itself as the problem and totally miss the opportunity for growth. God has already promised that He will vindicate the innocent (Micah 7:8-9). The humble of heart will rightly weigh any charge and receive whatever correction is valid, leaving the rest to the Lord.

One other thing to note is the woman I followed. I immediately sensed in the dream that she was “responsible.” I believe she represents the demonic spirits behind these sins of the flesh (2 Kings 9:22, Prov 5:3-6, Rev 19:2). She was pride, deception, manipulation, and control – all wrapped into one. And seeing “her” simply underscored the spiritual battle taking place. Those who give into their flesh, sin repeatedly, and consistently ignore the Lord’s warnings WILL open doors to demonic influences that only fuel their rebellion.

I believe this dream was given to confirm the place of godly rebuke, pay attention to our response, and pray that the lies of the enemy will be exposed and the light of God’s truth would dispel the darkness of deception. 

Godly rebuke is not meant to shame, but to shape, and the wise will receive it. So, regardless of the one bringing a rebuke, or the tone in which it is given – if there is any truth to be gleaned, wisdom will respond rightly and heed the instruction. Before it’s too late, and turn into a fool.