Responding to Rebuke

1 Samuel 15-16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1 

“Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, ‘Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.’…’Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?’ ‘But I did obey the Lord,’ Saul said…”

1 Samuel 15:12, 19, 20

How do we respond when we are confronted with our sin?

Defensive attitudes, pride, excuses, and blaming others are all common responses. Saul even honored himself publically, both before and after he was confronted and rebuked. Pride blinds us to our own sin, while humility welcomes rebuke, repents quickly, and learns from each experience. The more public our leadership, the more important our attitude is in responding well to rebuke. Saul enjoyed the plunder of his mission as do many leaders today. Blaming others for decisions related to how that plunder is used is a common deflection. Godly leaders set culture, take responsibility, and learn from their mistakes and sin. The alternative is the withdrawal of God’s anointing and leadership positions.

“Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you and repent for pride, fear of men, lust for things, and rebellion, for your glory.”