After we have been admonished, what do we do with that information? How are we going to respond? The word “admonish” usually appears in the New Testament right next to another word, and that's the word “teaching”. An example can be found in Colossians 1:28, when talking about Jesus. It says, "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ."
There's teaching when you admonish, there's a lesson to be learned. It's lovingly giving wisdom to build others up, so they can grow into the image of Christ. Admonishment is always connected to truth, love, and wisdom. That's at the heart of it.
Proverbs 3:12 says, “The Lord disciplines those that he loves.” So, the Lord corrects and speaks truth. He helps point us in the direction that we should go, showing us how we should also interact with our Christian brothers and sisters. The Bible says that iron sharpens iron, and when we hold each other accountable and are involved in one another's lives, we will say the hard things and we will also do the hard things. We will care enough to speak words that may be hard to receive, but all of it comes from the foundation of love. Admonition causes the recipient to take a look at things from a different perspective and vantage point. It's a chance to remind another person of Scripture, or to reach out and lovingly voice a concern motivated by the purest of intentions.
Discussion/Reflection Questions: Who in your life do you trust enough to lovingly admonish you when you need it? Does this person know they are able to do so?
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