Do you think at times, we as Christians tend to criticize high profile Christians such as televangalist or pastors to such a high degree we ignore our own shortcomings? I think it is important to expose "false shepherds" but should we go on and on and on about them?
What do you think?
Is there any Scripture that addresses this?
I think people are going to do this until Jesus comes. People judged (because no matter how you slice it...it is what it is) Jesus when He was ministering to the masses here on the earth in physical form. He is our example. We must follow His example. They saw all that He did, yet....talked about Him like a dog.
Now, there was a time when Jesus did speak to the Sadducee's and Pharisee's, the leaders of that day, about how they were like
"whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanliness." (Matthew 23:27) Whoa! You mean Jesus said that? Yes He did, and He is still doing it today (to the leaders of today), through men and women of God who are listening to His voice and doing what He says...they are not hypocrites. The difference in Jesus' teaching is this:
"For He taught them as One having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:29) And this should be the way we are as well when we need to speak to them.
The difference you see is that Jesus spoke to them directly. He didn't tell the Disciples and all the others around Him. If He had something to say...He went to the person/persons and said what He had to say.
If we are to say we are Christians/Believers, then we must follow His example. If we know we are truly walking as Christ walked, and living as He lives...we will know when to speak and when to be quiet. We will know that we speak to the person/persons directly, not behind their back.
It has taught me that if I have a problem with someone, to go to THEM directly. If I weren't able to meet some pastors/evangelists directly, I have sent letters, sharing how I feel about something they have said or done. I didn't go to sister so and so and tell her, then she go and tell brother so and so and then what did we all accomplish?
Absolutely speak to people if you see them being led astray...there are many Hirelings in the church who walk among us to lead people away from Christ. You must be led of the Spirit though...because what you want to do is to keep the people in the kingdom...not cause them to leave by the way YOU handle it...this is very important. Remember, satan is roaming about seeking who he may devour!
What I do is pray...I pray for myself and ask God to help me be the believer He wants me to be, so that I can be a light upon a hill that cannot be hidden. I pray that people will see Christ in me, not only by my actions, but by my words as well...in ANY capacity. I pray that the Father will continue to show me MY ways, that I may change for His glory...it's all about Him getting the glory. I pray that His will will be my will and that I can hear clearly when He speaks so that I may follow His lead...HE IS THE CAPTAIN OF THE HOSTS...not I!
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
24 for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
26 If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain.
I wanted to share what's on MY heart about this topic and now I'm done.
