Title: Fit to Admonish One Another: The Ministry of Spiritual Care
Text: Romans 15:14 Complementary Texts: Acts 20:28–31; 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Introduction
In our modern culture, the idea of correcting someone is often viewed with suspicion. We live in an era that prizes "tolerance" above all else, leading many to believe that minding one's own business is the highest form of Christian love. However, the Bible presents a different reality.
In Romans 15:14, the Apostle Paul makes a bold statement to the believers in Rome: "I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct [admonish] one another."
Paul suggests that a healthy church is not one where everyone ignores sin, but one where members are spiritually mature enough to correct one another in love. Today, we will explore the biblical mandate of admonition—not as a tool for judgment, but as a vital instrument for the health and protection of the Body of Christ.
1. The Biblical Meaning of Admonition
To understand this mandate, we must look at the word Paul uses. In Greek, the verb is noutheteō.
• Definition: It means to warn, to correct, to instruct, or to alert someone to spiritual danger. It is "putting sense into the mind."
• Purpose: Noutheteō is correction with a moral purpose. It is not about winning an argument; it is about leading someone to change their attitude or direction for their own spiritual good.
• Application: Admonition is not condemnation. Condemnation seeks to punish; admonition seeks to protect. It is an act of spiritual care.
2. Admonition as a Shield for the Church
Why is this ministry so necessary? Because the church is constantly under threat.
• 2.1 The Danger of "Fierce Wolves": In Acts 20:29, Paul warns the Ephesian elders that "fierce wolves" would enter the flock, not sparing the sheep. These threats manifest as false teachers, divisive leaders, or simply toxic behaviors like gossip and intrigue.
• 2.2 The Role of Leadership and Membership: Admonition is a safeguard. In Acts 20:31, Paul says, "Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears."
◦ Notice the "tears." Admonition is an act of love. Those who truly love the church cannot remain silent when spiritual danger is present.
3. The True Purpose of Admonition
If we admoish with the wrong motive, we do more harm than good.
• 3.1 Not for Humiliation: Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:14, "I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children." The goal is never to expose, wound, or embarrass a brother or sister.
• 3.2 For Restoration: The ultimate goal is to correct the error, protect the faith of the individual, and restore them to a right walk with God. It is the heart of a spiritual father or mother seeking the best for their child.
4. The Biblical Method: How to Admonish
Admonition often includes the application of God’s inspired principles to a problem or circumstance.
That is, it includes wisdom, which is properly defined as God’s instruction applied.
We are to help each other obtain wisdom. God commands us to share and receive wisdom.
Teaching in Proverbs 1:1-6 10:17,21 11:14 12:1,15 13:1,18 14:16 15:2, 7, etc.
Teaching in the New Testament Titus 2:3-5 1 Corinthians 10:11 1 Timothy 4:13 2 Timothy 4:2
Are some Christians so influenced by the world’s “judge not” mindset that we are unable to properly receive admonition from our brethren.
Are we too quick to put up defenses and think evil of brethren when they fulfill God’s command to admonish?
1 Thessalonians 5:14 provides the "manual" for how this should be practiced: "Admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
• 4.1 Filled with Goodness: As Romans 15:14 states, we must be "full of goodness." Without love, correction is just destructive criticism.
• 4.2 Based on Knowledge: We must be "filled with all knowledge." Our correction must be rooted in the Bible and God’s truth, not in our personal opinions, cultural preferences, or "pet peeves."
• 4.3 With Long-suffering (Patience): Change rarely happens overnight. We must be patient and tolerant, persevering with the person as God perseveres with us.
5. Biblical Examples of Admonition
Throughout Scripture, we see God and His servants using admonition to save lives:
• God and Cain (Genesis 4:6–7): Before Cain murdered Abel, God warned him that sin was "crouching at the door." God admonished him to alert him to the danger in his own heart.
• Nathan and David (2 Samuel 12:1–7): Nathan used a story to confront David’s adultery and murder. This sharp admonition led David to the repentance we see in Psalm 51.
• Jesus and Peter (Matthew 16:23): When Peter tried to talk Jesus out of the Cross, Jesus corrected him immediately because Peter was thinking with a human mind, not a divine one.
• Paul and the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:1–2): Paul admonished the church for tolerating blatant sin, teaching them that "a little leaven leavens the whole lump."
6. Two Extremes to Avoid
To maintain a healthy church, we must steer clear of two dangerous paths:
• 6.1 Silence in the Face of Error: Some stay silent out of fear, a desire for comfort, or biblical illiteracy. However, silence in the face of a brother's sin is not love; it is negligence.
• 6.2 The Trap of Gossip: Many prefer to talk about a brother's mistake to others rather than talking to the brother. James 4:11 warns against speaking evil of one another. Admonition happens face-to-face; gossip happens behind the back.
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7. How to Receive Admonition
Instead of viewing our brother or sister as opinionated and judgmental, God requires us to receive admonition with love and try to learn from it.
You need to be able to discern between good and bad people, and you need to be able to defend yourself against those who threaten your faith. It’s also important to be aware of what’s going on in your own life, so that you can make sound choices about how you spend your time and how you interact with others.
8. How to Give Admonition
- Acts 20:31 Deep concern and love
- Romans 15:14 Full of goodness; filled with all knowledge
- Galatians 6:1-3 Humility and gentleness
Areas in Which Admonition Might Be Given
- Spiritual Priorities
- Raising Children
- Moral Issues
- Handling the Scriptures Accurately
Mutual edification
- Build up. (Romans 14:19)
- Admonish. (Romans 15:14)
- Exhort. (Hebrews 3:12,13)
- Teach in song. (Colossians 3:16)
- Consider one another to stir up. .(Hebrews 10:24)
- Assemble together. (Hebrews 10:25)
Spiritual Priorities
The first thing you need to do is to get the advice of someone who knows what they are talking about. This is especially important You need to be able to tell them exactly what you want done and how it should be done.
Moral Choices; Discerning Between Good and Evil
- Lasciviousness/Impurity
- Movies, television, music, magazines, dancing, dating, modest clothing
- Covetousness
- Lottery, raffles, gambling
- Alcohol
- An occasional beer or glass of wine
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Conclusion
Admonition is an essential ministry for a thriving church. It is the "immune system" of the Body of Christ. When we are full of goodness and knowledge, we can warn, correct, and instruct one another so that no one falls away.
Let us commit today to be a people who love one another enough to speak the truth. Let us reject the silence of indifference and the poison of gossip, embracing instead the biblical path of correction in love.
One way that people can help is by giving them verbal advice, such as by explaining what they should do, why, and how. This will help them understand exactly what you are need for and how it should be done.
Another way that people can help is by giving them written advice, such as by explaining the steps that need to be taken in order for the correction to be completed, and how it should be
Areas in Which Admonition Might Be Given
