Reprove With Equity

Isaiah gave us this description of how the Savior judges and corrects others: “He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:3-4).  The importance of this passage is highlighted by the fact that Nephi quoted part of it twice (2 Nephi 21:3-4, 2 Nephi 30:9).  The word reprove here means to “to criticize or correct, especially gently” and is a common scriptural term used when describing the kind of reprimanding the Lord does.  This passage gives us at least two important keys to follow when we need to do our own reproving for those we are called to shepherd: not to do it according to “the hearing of [our] ears” and to do it “with equity.”  When correcting those within our stewardship, in particular our children, if we want to do it like the Savior these verses suggest that we need to have a discernment beyond what our physical senses—our hearing—can give us.  We need the Spirit to help us know how and when such a reproving is to be done.  The word equity suggests that we need a fairness in how we do reprove, so that the receiver will be able to understand that our correction is just and indeed merited.  But perhaps it also means that we need to see the other person that we are reproving as equal with us; in other words, when reproving we don’t view ourselves as better or above them.  Rather, when reproving with equity we see the other as having just as much worth and goodness as ourselves. 

             Other scriptures give more insight into how it is that one should reprove others.  Paul wrote to Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).  So here the counsel is to reprove with longsuffering and to do it according to doctrine.  Alma showed this when he reproved his son Corianton; he taught him clearly that his immoral behavior was wrong (Alma 39:4), but he also spent a significant amount of time dwelling on doctrine and teaching him principles from the plan of salvation (see Alma 39-42).  He also showed great longsuffering and patience towards Corianton as he spent that time teaching him,  and then Alma gave his son a second chance despite his serious sin: “Now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance” (Alma 42:31).  The Savior in our dispenseation called the Elders of the church to go forth “unto the great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:117).  Missionaries today are to reprove the world of wickedness and unrighteous deeds, but they are to do it in righteousness.  In other words, we are not to  fight fire with fire when it comes to teaching the gospel.  If we want to reprove the world of violence, we preach with kindness and love.  If we want to speak out against anger and abuse, then we teach with patience and longsuffering.  If we want to reprimand the licentious behavior of so many, then we show forth in our words and action virtue and holiness.    

             Of course the most famous passage about reproving comes from the suffering of Libery Jail.  The Prophet Joseph described, “Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.”  That is the ultimate standard—to reprove according to the Holy Ghost and to do it with love.    To reprove as the Savior does we must strive to do so with equity, longsuffering, righteousness, and love, following the direction of the Holy Spirit, and then we can help lift others out of sin and still show them that our “faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:43-44).