Carson’s statement begs the question, “how do you give a rebuke in loving humility?”
David Mathis in his book Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines gives seven steps we can work towards giving a rebuke that is biblical/Jesus-honoring.
- Check your own heart first.
- Seek to sympathize.
- Pray for restoration.
- Be quick. In my opinion, this step requires just a little explanation. Mathis states, “pray for the other person’s restoration, but don’t wait there too long on your knees. Hebrews encourages us to be quick and regular — ‘every day. Don’t let sinful patterns fester. If possible, don’t even let the sun go down.”
- Be kind. “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
- Be clear and specific.
- Follow up with the person.