Courtney Gilmore Have you ever been in church or bible study and heard someone say something that didn’t sound quite right? It’s hard to know what to do in those situations. Initially you might think about saying something, but you aren’t sure what. Then, when no one else speaks up either, maybe you just decide it’s better to keep quiet.
Or maybe you have felt like your church was going in the wrong direction, not teaching biblically, or getting too worldly but you weren’t sure what to do about it. It is hard to know whether to confront your leaders, and even they can have a hard time confronting teachers and staff members sometimes. So, no wonder the rest of us don’t know how to go about it!
We don’t know what to say in these situations because you don’t want to come off as self-righteous or as a know-it-all. The last thing we want to do is hurt anyone’s feelings or embarrass them. We also don’t want to be a troublemaker or look nitpicky.
So, when should you speak up and when should you keep quiet? Then, when you decide to say something, how should you go about it?
Well, it all depends on your relationship with the other person, the setting, and what’s being said or done. But I think that standing up for God and His Word is important and we should not be afraid of the truth. We just need to know how to go about it.
Those Judged with Greater Strictness
So, first, if you’re in a place of authority, you should be very thoughtful of your own words and actions. It’s good to evaluate yourself often to make sure what you are saying and doing lines up with the Word of God. God holds you to a higher standard since you have influence over others.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James 3:1
Preachers are teachers, but they are also considered elders or overseers. Then, there are also fellow elders in the church, and teachers who are under their authority, along with deacons,. Paul instructed the overseers to:
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly; not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
1 Peter 5:2-4
Those You Are in Authority Over
But, if you are in a position of authority, you are not just responsible for what you say and do but also for those who are under your authority. As an overseer of the church, you don’t want anyone in a leadership position to lead others astray. So, you must address it.
He [an overseer] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine. Also, to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty-talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party [born Jewish]. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach… Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth… They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
Titus 1:9-16
How to Address Other Leaders
But before you address something that you haven’t seen or heard firsthand, you must first make sure it’s true. It can’t just be something that one person tells you. There needs to be sufficient evidence before you accuse them.
Then, you also need to go about it in the right way. First, you should address it with them privately and give them a chance to repent and correct themselves. A godly leader also won’t want to lead anyone astray and they’ll examine themselves truthfully, correcting anything that needs correcting.
But, if instead, they continue to blatantly go against God’s word, then they’re in open rebellion and you should move to the next step in your rebuke. This is no longer a private manner. If they are persisting in public rebellion against God, then they should publicly be rebuked so everyone knows they’re wrong. This also deters others from doing the same thing.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine… Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning, rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
1 Timothy 5:17-20
Those Over Us
But should the rest of us speak up when we see or hear something that doesn’t line up with God’s word, even if it’s from a church leader? It probably depends on how big of a deal it is, right? You aren’t going to go up to them every Sunday with one sentence you don’t agree with. You also aren’t going to talk to them about every slight indiscretion. But you can’t let them misrepresent God or His Word either.
So, if you think your church is heading in the wrong direction or the entire focus is void of, or contrary to the bible, then you must say something. But first, you should pray and search God’s Word. Then, go to the preacher or teacher privately and express your concerns. Don’t impugn bad motives. Just explain what you’re seeing from your perspective. A godly pastor or teacher will listen and take your thoughts into consideration, especially if you tell them that you’ve prayed and searched the scriptures.
But if nothing changes, go to someone else in the church that you can trust. Now this is very delicate because you don’t want to suggest a problem to someone who never saw one in the first place. You also can’t go to a lot of people because that would be more like gossip than standing up for God’s Word. But it’s possible others agree with you and you go to the leader again with some consensus.
Eventually, if you feel like they’re misleading the congregation, then you need to go to the elders and ask that they exert their authority. If the elders agree with them, or they just won’t address it, then you probably need to go to another church where the Word of God is being upheld. (Matthew 18:15-17)
Fellow Christians
Now for the more common scenario. What if it isn’t a church leader, but instead, it’s just part of a discussion in class? Ask yourself this question: If you keep silent, then will others think you agree? Could holding your tongue make someone else wonder who initially disagreed?
When there is a lot of discussion, it’s quite possible that something will be said that’s contrary to God’s Word. Usually this is not purposeful. It may be that the person just hasn’t studied that subject and they’re mistaken. There are also a lot of feelings involved when there are a lot of people. Sometimes, when expressing an opinion, we don’t check it with the Bible. God’s Word and ways can be hard to swallow sometimes, and we might not want to know if God disagrees with us or not. This may not be conscious, but sometimes we are just trying to justify our sin.
Speak the Truth in Love
We’ve all had different experiences, and we all struggle with different things. But, if we see someone justifying sin, even though we may be sympathetic to their struggle, we can’t let others believe it’s okay. Instead, we should just say that we understand from a human perspective, but we don’t know if it’s biblical. It’s honestly easier if you can say that you’ve also struggled with the same thing. It helps others hear what they may not want to hear at the time.
But, even if you haven’t struggled with the same sin or the same confusion, you can still speak the truth with love knowing that you struggle with other things. We can just say that we have felt that way before about something different. If you have ever felt like them in any scenario then acknowledge that first, then tell them the truth that God told you. God is so gentle with us, and we should be gentle with others.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
Then, don’t embarrass them or be harsh. Remember that God is your judge, and He says:
With what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 7:2
So, be kind and loving. But speak the truth. We must stand up for God’s Word! No uncomfortable feeling from you or anyone else should come before Him! When Christians represent Him well, we draw others to Him. When we misrepresent Him, we pull them away.
Links
You can Watch or Listen to all recent and future blog posts as devotions on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions Channel on YouTube or Podcast and Substack for Free.
This is inspired by “Honor God Above All Else” which is about how the priests were serving themselves instead of the Lord, and their father, the High Priest, didn’t put a stop to it. You can Watch or Listen to it on YouTube, Podcast, or study it on Substack.
All Podcasts for Bible Studies
