Although I love the look of this modern lampshade in my hotel room, it does not function well as a mirror!

This passage brought to mind the importance of not just teaching to encourage others but at times to reprove or convince others of truth. This “convincing” may be misunderstood as an accusation (aka rebuke) when in actuality it may be what is needed to convince or drive a point home.

It’s stated well here@ BibleHub.com (parenthetical word added for context). “The word in this verse rendered “reprove,” does not imply (rebuke), but merely that one may be in error, and needs to have arguments presented to convince him of the truth. That word also implies no superior authority in him who does it. He presents “reasons, or argues” the case, for the purpose of convincing. The word here rendered rebuke, implies authority or superiority, and means merely that we may say that a thing is wrong, and administer a rebuke for it, as if there were no doubt that it was wrong. The propriety of the rebuke rests on our authority for doing it, not on the arguments which we present. This is based on the presumption that men often Know that they are doing wrong, and need no arguments to convince them of it.”

An effective leader knows when to teach using a method of reproving vs. rebuking and what type of audience should witness either one. For example, when a subordinate rebukes an authority figure, the effective leader must discern whether they are acting out of spite or ignorance. If ignorance, then it’s best to set aside the personal humiliation (if the incident occurs in public) to exemplify that the subordinate is valued (i.e. the leader is preventing the other’s demise and modeling the truth). On the other hand, if it’s expressed out of spite, an immediate meeting in private is the best outcome to effectively demonstrate the error of their thinking and the subordinate will be won over.

No matter how modern and appealing some teaching is, if it cannot convince us of truth (i.e. the truth always ends with love), then it is not sound.

Have I loved His appearing as Paul did? Christ is ultimately the righteous judge whose reward means all. He is the One who gives a crown of endurance to those who suffer for His name’s sake. -Teresa #fulfillyourministry

2 Timothy 4:1-8 (ESV)

4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[a]teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.