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PROGRAM D-8189
If you study the times in the Bible that “one another” is used, it gives you a rich picture of how we, as followers of Jesus Christ, are to treat each other. I’m looking at five of these “one anothers,” of which the first was love one another, the second was accept one another, and the third was that we are to clothe ourselves in humility toward one another.
Here’s the fourth one I’ve chosen: Teach and admonish one another.
This comes from Colossians 3:16, where Paul writes, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
We are to teach and admonish each other with all wisdom. This is much more than just telling others what we think—giving our opinions. Another translation puts it this way: “Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other…” (Colossians 3:16, TLB).
Teaching with all wisdom means we teach what Christ taught, with wisdom that comes from his words.
Admonish means to warn or reprimand someone firmly and it is a strong confrontation, sometimes a strong reprimand. Does that mean we have the green light to tell others what we think or what they should do?
Well, we know from Scripture that we should always speak the truth in love. So, our motivation in admonishing or teaching someone has to come from a heart of love.
Any time you teach or admonish another person, it should come from your knowledge of what Jesus taught you, and it should come from a wise and loving heart.
I remember a good friend some years ago who knew that God wanted her to admonish another believer about his unethical practices. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but knowing God put it on her heart, she went to this person and “admonished him”—in a loving but direct way.
There are times when God directs us to teach and admonish one another, but if it’s from God, it will always be done in love and humility.
Is there someone in your life now that you should speak truth into their life? It’s one of the things we are to do for each other—to teach and admonish.