Sharing Truth, or Cowering in Fear

So, what do you do when someone says or posts something you think is unbiblical?

If you do nothing, at best, it is lazy. At worst it is cowardly. Either way, it is most definately not friendly, or Christ-like.

Of course, unless you are supremely arrogant, you know you might be wrong. However, if you are not, and they are, the cost could be considerable for them.

"Oh, but what about keeping the peace!?"

Did Jesus do that? Remember, they killed Him because He shared truth.

Matthew 7:6

[6] "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Of course, as it is written, when they get rude, mean, or insulting, (unless the Holy Spirit says otherwise) you are free to move on.

Yet, to not say anything?

Do you realize that questions and problems arose in the early church? Yes, in the book of Acts they went to town with each other over whether or not Gentile converts should get circumcised. It did cause division, something western church leaders are terrified of.

Cowardly.

The church isn't just a place of worship. It is a place of learning...and not just by one guy who dominates, and who no one can disagree with.

Arrogance.

We are called to debate, argue and discuss biblical truth. God has not given any one of us ALL the answers. Often He will humble a proud child by teaching them from someone they do not think much of.

It makes perfect sense doesn't it?

Ah, but do they learn, or do they silence their opposition? Sounds similar to the religious groups of Jesus' day. You know, the ones who murdered Him...

Sharing Truth is difficult, especially from limited beings that are barely made in the image of a perfect God. It helps immensely to begin from a perspective of understood stupidity.

Yes, we are stupid.

All of us.

Sure, the Holy Spirit brings wisdom and brilliance, yet because we are limited, unless God does something miraculous, we don't often know that us speaking is Him...or us.

A simple tell is the pearl thing. Meanness is not something the Holy Spirit will do, or stomach.

I know from personal experience, that when I get uppity, He has a very firm, and obvious way of bringing correction...and humility. Yes, yes, He is nice and forgiving about it later, but then, I've never done the pig thing either. I was just stubborn, even though they had a good point.

The mean thing is not something a real believer in Christ would be able to get away with.

"You go too far!"

Really? Have you considered how often it is written that the Jewish leaders got together to discuss what they should do about Jesus and His lack of respect, wrong teaching, and generally frustrating concepts?

Uh, they finally murdered Him. Doesn't sound like they were serving God, now does it?

Other than the fact that He had to go to the cross, no. They clearly were not listening to the Holy Spirit...

Look, we are made to communicate what we know, so we can all get a clearer picture of God. This is intended to help us understand Him, to know Him, and grow in faith.

Is it not?

Would you really trust just one man to be your only source of truth? Do you not see how well that has worked in the past? Do you have any idea how many "believers" fell away when Jimmy Swaggart fell?

God must be the source of truth. He IS truth after all. He purposefully set up a specific group of believers just to bat around the truth He reveals from various sources...it's called The Church.

The Church includes EVERY believer in Jesus Christ, planet wide.

Do you accept them all, like Jesus does? Or do you ignore, avoid, and dismiss any you, or your pastor dissagree with? Do you not see the obvious opportunity God has to test pride in His "followers" here?

If you are not looking for God, the God who controls ALL reality, to speak to you from anywhere, then you are losing out on truth that could easily be yours...and a greater faith to match!

So, what if, this guy here, writes something you don't agree with? First off, I have welcomed any challenge over and over. This is because I understand what I write here. I have for a very long time. Sadly, I have rarely gotten dissagreement, and when I did it always ended with either insult or dismissal.

"Well, we can agree to dissagree."

Cowardly...or worse...Arrogance.

Who are you to think that another believer can't be used by the Holy Spirit?!

Dismissal is not in His repertoire...unless they get mean.

So, are you too important to teach, or too cowardly?

If you are avoiding the conversation entirely...

I say cowardly.

But, then, as Paul says, "I also have the Spirit of God."

Do you?