BEATEN INTO THE SIN OF TOLERANCE

Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This scripture is one that is taken out of context more frequently today than any other in the Bible. When a Christian opens his mouth to speak out against someone's sins, this scripture is the one that is most often thrown back in his face. The sinner tries his best to silence the Christian by pointing the finger back at him. Unfortunately, this tactic works all too often because the Christian, knowing full well that he falls quite short of the glory of God, is often shamed into silence. If the sinner is even a little more knowledgeable concerning the Bible, he may send the final death blow with,

Mat 7:3-5 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

The well meaning Christian,believing he was doing the sinner a favor at first, has now been beaten down into a quivering mass of guilt and confusion. This my friends is a tactic of the enemy to cause Christians everywhere to TOLERATE sin.

It is true that these scriptures are about hypocrisy. If the Christian is PRACTICING (willfully committing sin), then he has no grounds to point it out in another. If the Christian has been cleansed from his sins, though he be not perfect, but is PRACTICING his walk in righteousness, it is his duty to call attention to sin when he sees it. Not saying that he is to look for it under every rock, but it is the Christian duty to call others to righteousness, saved or unsaved.

Consider this:

Ezek 33:8-9 "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.
"But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul confronts Peter (Cephas) publicly about a sin he was committing.

1Cor 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.

How far we have strayed from our Bibles as Christians when the sinner who uses scripture to beat us over our heads gets the upper hand.

It is obvious that Satan himself knows scripture quite well when he used it to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. However, Jesus knew it better, and he tuned it right back around on him.

2 Cor. 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Stand firm against Satan's tricks. Prayerfully read your Bible to learn how to refute twisted scriptures. Let us not bear the guilt of TOLERATING.

The Lost Shepherd

Hello Huldah,

The church we attend is seeing a lot of turmoil right now. People are very angry with one another, and some are threatening to leave. The arguments range from the music all the way to planning activities. My wife and I don't want to take part in the battles, but at the same time its painful to watch the people we care about tear each other down. We try to talk to the pastor, but he is passive and doesn't seem to want to get involved.
As a couple, we have never witnessed such things in church before and are unsure what we can do. This doesn't seem like the Christian love we read about in the Bible.

Hurting for the Brethren


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Dear Hurting,

It is so sad to hear these stories. The undeniable truth is that we have allowed Satan a foothold in many of our churches today. The world's influences of power, greed, and selfish desires are pouring in through the cracks of the church. Disagreements arise in practically every church from time to time, but with qualified, Godly leadership, it should be kept at a minimum and resolved quickly.

My question is:

Do you have deacons or elders? If so, I would appeal to them. The pastor himself, should be accountable to other men in the church. If they do not listen, or if you have none, then I would appeal to the pastor once again with men in the church that you trust according to Matthew 18:15:

 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." 

The truth is the pastor is sinning with his complacency. If he still refuses to take matters in hand, then you might reflect on John 10:11-13

 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep." 

A good shepherd with backbone would do what he can to get to the bottom of these issues. If he truly desires to protect the sheep, he may have to make the hard decisions to put any obstinate offenders out of the church. This is in hopes that the offenders would return repentant, but ultimately that peace would once again be felt by all.

It is romantic to think of it all ending on such a happy note, but all too often it doesn't. If your conscience is clear and you feel you have followed biblical principles to help restore your church, but to no avail, then you just may have to resort to finding another church.

God bless you in your endeavors.

Maidservant Huldah