There are many reasons for why we do or don’t admonish someone when they need to be warned or corrected, or even counseled in some way.  But the major reason why most of us don’t admonish others is because we do not want to be rejected.  I’m here to share with you that as Christians, it is our biblical responsibility to correct or counsel other Christians when they need to be.  I’ll say again!  It is our biblical responsibility to admonish other Christians when they need to be.

 “And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.”     Rom 15:14 NASU

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.  We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thess. 5:12-14 NASU

   What is Admonishment?  

It is used in many various ways, depending on the version that you are using?

            UNAS- ‘admonish one another’

            NIV-     ‘warn one another’

            Other versions- ‘counsel one another,’ and ‘correct’

The word admonish comes from the Greek word noutheteo (verb).  It means ‘to put in mind,’ ‘to caution or reprove gently.’

A friend of mine made a statement one evening in the men’s bible study.  It has really stuck with since he said a few months back, and I reflect on it every once in awhile.  “I’d rather have men around me that care more about me, than they do about my feelings.”  I’d like to also to add to the end of that, “or feeling that I might reject them if they say something.”

There is a lot of truth in that statement.  I would rather have a friend confront me about some sin that is in my life, that I need to deal with, than for him or her to feel that I might reject him or her if they say something, so they say nothing to me.  Some of you may think that, well it’s a Pastor’s job to deal with someone who needs to be corrected or counseled.  No, it’s not!  It is our responsibility as Christians, as brothers and sisters in Christ, that if you know of someone who is in sin, that we confront them about it in love.  There are exceptions to when Pastors and Elders need to be involved.  For sake of time, I’m not going to go into that right now.

What makes us “competent to admonish others”?

As we read in Romans 15:14, Paul states that the readers were “full of goodness” (Rom. 15:14a).  These believers were able to admonish one another because they were making progress in their own Christian lives.  You do not want to get yourself caught up in thinking you need to be perfect in order to admonish someone.  If someone is in sin, and you think that, I am not a good enough Christian right now to confront him or her about it, then you never will confront him or her.  Because only Jesus was and ever will be perfect.  What Paul was telling the Gentiles in Romans 15, is that you do not have to be perfect to confront someone.  You need only to be making progress in you Christian life.  Christians who are sensitive about their own walk with God are capable—and responsible—to admonish other Christians.  We need to make sure our act is together, before we try to help others get their act together.

Continuing in Romans 15:14b, they were “complete in knowledge”.  You need to have an adequate knowledge of God’s word.  If you are not reading God’s word, and spending time in prayer, then you are in a place where you need to get your act together.  How can you even attempt to counsel some one or even approach them about a sin issue they may have if you do not know the word of God.  The main reason for this is that it is the word of God that gives us direction on how to live our lives.  And the person, whom ever they are, needs to know that this is not your opinion, but what the word of God says.

We need to be careful that admonishment is based on God’s specific will and ways—not on what we think other Christians should or should not be doing.  Likewise, it should be based on scriptural lists of sins, not a list that we have added to the Bible.  For example, going to the movies.  The bible doesn’t say anything about going to the movies.  But, Philippians 4:8 warns us against exposing our minds to impure and unrighteous things.  Therefore, the bible doesn’t say anything about not going to the movies!  However, it does guide us into what movies we could go and watch or not.

   (Additional Biblical Guidelines)

Admonishment must be done with deep concern and love. 

“Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.”  Acts 20:31 NASU

This potion of scripture is from Paul to the Ephesians.  I am sure there is no doubt in these men’s minds that Paul loved them.  Paul’s tears were a reflection of his concern for them.  Paul didn’t just admonish these men because he thought he was better than they were.  He had a deep concern for them.  He love them as fellow brothers in Christ.  That’s why he could go to them and correct them.

Also, admonishment must frequently be personal.  Make it a private matter, not a public matter.  It only needs to be between you and the person you are admonishing.  It does not need to be shared with the bible study group that you both are attending.  You know what I mean?  Sharing during prayer time about the sin.  “I’d like to pray for John Doe because he had been struggling with sin in the area of such and such.”  No!   It only need to be between the two of you. 

Continuing on those same lines, admonishment must be persistent if it is to be effective. 

 “The word of God is filled with a multitude of exhortations, warnings, and instructions.  It takes a lot of time to communicate them all—and a lifetime to apply them.”    Gene Getz, “Building Up One Another” 

That is such a true statement.  If someone is struggling in sin, and you have been counseling him or her through it.  Don’t think you just have to tell him or her about it and that’s it.  You will have to be persistent with them and hold them accountable to make sure they are headed down the right path.  Also, and very importantly, we must do all we can to avoid embarrassing people—even those who are guilty.  Admonishment has to and must flow from pure motives.

Lastly, and I believe most importantly, admonishment must have the proper goal.  There should be only one basic objective when we admonish others; to help them become more mature in Jesus Christ.  Let me repeat that!  The only basic objective and goal should be to help them become more mature in Jesus Christ.  If you have any other goal than helping them to become better Christians, than you better evaluate what you doing and why. 

Each of us, before we admonish anyone should always evaluate our lives.  Are you “full of goodness?”  Do you have “knowledge of God’s word?”  Are you motivated by love?  As we close, I hope we seriously pray about what admonishment is and our biblical responsibility to it.  Over this past weekend, putting this teaching together, God has really opened my eyes to areas that I need to work on.  I pray that each of you do the same. 

   Verses on Admonishment

Acts 20:31

Rom 15:14

1 Cor. 4:14

Col 1:28

Col 3:16

1 Thess. 5:12-14

2 Thess. 3:15