“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin…, of
sin, because they believe not on me…” John 16:8-11
What does it mean to reprove? We tend to toss words around so
easily and yet we are ill-equipped to properly define them. Well, the buck
stops here – hold on to your dictionary!
The word “reprove”, as used in the King James Bible is
defined by the online Blue Letter Bible, which defines the word as used in its
original language (i.e., Hebrew, Greek, etc.) in many ways. For instance:
1. If one is conversant with another person, then to reprove, by word, would be to - reprehend
severely, chide, admonish, to call to account, show one his fault, or to demand
an explanation.
Examples: John
8:9 ; Proverbs
9:8; Proverbs
25:12
2. If one has the ability to do something about the offender, then the word reprove
would mean - by deed, to chasten or to punish, the offender.
Examples: Genesis
20:16; Rev.
3:19; I
Chron. 16:21
Also, the purpose of the Holy Spirit’s reproof is to bring
light to the sinner – Eph.
5:13; a knowledge of sin, once he/she is acquainted with truth – John
8:9; and to help a person to make the correct choice and turn to the Lord,
after the reproof comes – Jeremiah
2:19
Lastly, God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; He
would much rather have a person repent and be saved that is why He gave His
only unique Son, for the redemption of mankind.
Therefore, if this blog or something else that you have heard about God
cuts across your conscience like a knife, then stop right as it is happening;
repent of your sins; invite Jesus into your heart and begin to live a holy
life. God is waiting on you. He has sent His Holy Spirit to convict you of
wrong doing; please don’t resist Him.
