While we’ve probably all seen something with our own log-filled eyes from a fellow believer online that we disapprove of, does that mean we should publically address it? And if we do, how do we do it?
Read on as we discuss the do’s and don’t’s of correction.
‘Check, check is the mic on?’
You don’t have to be a singer, stand-up comedian or Pastor to have a microphone in your hands today and it is all thanks to platforms like ‘Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), Tik Tok,’ and the newly created ‘Threads.’
There seems to be a surge of ‘God told me’ calling out style content and battles of who can be the loudest, expose or go viral the quickest no matter how hard or cold the message sounds. In the Christian community when it comes to correction, it appears that it is no longer about bringing our brothers and sisters in Christ onto the right path but instead, who can point out their flaws and imperfections in the most spectacular and sensationalised way.
Correction vs Rebuke
Social media has contaminated the way we correct one another and as a result, it has turned into a space for open rebuke.
However, what is the difference between correction and rebuking? The biblical definition of correction is the ‘act of bringing back, from error or deviation to a just standard and truth.’ When we look at the Hebrew translation it means to instruct or to chastise. On the other hand, to rebuke someone is to criticise him or her pointedly for a particular observed sinful behaviour. If we translate this word in Greek it is understood to mean reprimanding and convicting someone by exposing (sometimes publicly) a wrong.
So, the difference between correction and rebuke seems pretty clear. Rebuking is expressing strong disapproval and highlighting a wrong and correction is steering to right a wrong.
We know the Bible is filled with instances of both rebuke and correction, however, if we measure which one the judges of social media do more the scales favour rebuke.
All it takes is a post from any believer with a level of influence or popularity or a debate about the actions of another believer to circulate and the floodgates of divisive opinions open. Comment sections are a mess, the world is watching and we have to wonder if correction is truly taking place.
The ABCs of Correction
Correction is a way of life like the Bible says, in Proverbs 6:23 (NIV) ‘For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light and correction and instruction are a way of life.’ The body of Christ cannot run away from correction, but how we do it is what we should think about. Are we correcting our fellow brother or sister in love or are using a virtual microphone to condemn them?
We have to remember as Christians our standard is LOVE, and no this is not the same as tolerance. The world identifies us through the way we love one another (John 13:35), if as sheep we are not loving other sheep how can we bring those outside into our flock? This is why correction is best done behind closed doors as opposed to naming and shaming by hiding behind a computer or phone screen.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV) says: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
As we can see Jesus taught correction is not about shouting from the rooftops, instead it is about doing it within a relationship and the body. It is only when they refuse to listen to the church that they should be treated as an unbeliever, however, notice that nowhere in the scriptures does it say we should treat them without love.
Gentleness is another thing we need to display, Galatians 6:1 (NIV) says: “Brothers if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Should correction be done in the ‘hallowed walls’ of social media?
Social media is not the church, it is not the body and it cannot hold us members to the standard of the Word of God fully. Can an app that is created to systematically highlight the most click-bait-worthy topics truly bring individuals back into alignment?
If correction is about righting a wrong then shouldn’t we be encouraging our brothers or sisters to repent and shouldn’t we be loving them and praying them back to the truth? So many times with social media we solely shine a light on the wrong. Of course, we don’t want them to stumble, but we have to make sure we are building them up not pulling them down.
We are not saying correction should not happen at all, Jesus openly corrected and rebuked religious leaders such as the Pharisees and He did it boldly and graphically. Jesus had the authority to do so as the Son of God, He holds all the authority. We must remember we are not the judge, the true judge is on His way and at the end of time He will be the One to unveil every wrong committed.
While the online world can be used as a tool to inform the body of Christ we are called to use it in a way that glorifies our Father, not forgetting we are His chosen representatives.
The body of Christ is not a group of accusers we are a group of helpers.
Let us pray this prayer together:
“Lord if I corrected my brother or sister in Christ in an unloving way I ask for Your forgiveness. I ask that You teach me the right way to correct. I want to love the body of Christ and point them towards the Word of God. I pray You will help me imitate You in everything I do or say, in the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen.”
Words by Esther Okusaga
