• ‘Reproofs Are the Way of Life’
    The Watchtower—1977 | November 15

    • Reproof based on God’s Word and its righteous principles can show us just how we are sinning and, therefore, helps us to take the necessary steps to gain God’s forgiveness and thereby maintain an unblemished standing before him. Such reproof can also aid us to avoid more serious wrongdoing.

      3. What may prompt us to reprove ourselves, and how do we do so? (Prov. 1:20-25)

      3 In reading the Bible or Bible-based counsel or when hearing God’s Word discussed at a congregation meeting, we may come to realize that we have sinned in some respect. We may sincerely regret our failings, pray to be forgiven and request the help of God’s spirit in making further progress toward harmonizing our life with his will. In thus taking to heart Bible counsel and applying it, we reprove ourselves.

  • ‘Reproofs Are the Way of Life’
    The Watchtower—1977 | November 15

    • 7. What is one way in which elders can give Scriptural reproof in the homes of their brothers?

      7 Possibly, appropriate chapters from the Bible or Bible-based articles could be read and discussed privately with one who is having serious spiritual problems. By making sure that the individual needing help understands what the scriptures being considered mean and how they apply to his situation, the elders will be correcting or reproving him. Often this can be done by one or two elders in the informal atmosphere of the person’s home.​—Compare Acts 20:18-20, 31.

      8. How can Bible-based talks about undesirable developments in the congregation serve as a reproof to the hearers?

      8 On the other hand, the elders may consider it advisable to give Scriptural talks that come to grips with and reason on undesirable developments in the congregation. (2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:10-14) The clear, forceful Biblical presentation should move the hearers to examine themselves and to make the necessary changes in their lives. (Compare James 1:22-25.) When they recognize that the scriptures being considered apply to them personally, they will be reproved.​—Compare 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25, where the reference is to an unbeliever’s being reproved by what he hears at a congregation meeting.