When Contending For The Truth In Christian Circles...

H0w important do you think the delivery is?

Let me put my question this way: when exposing false doctrine or correcting errors, do you think that the way we do these things is also important?

We all know how important it is to stand for the Truth in Christ. "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." Jude 1:3

But also "If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2

So how do we correct error in the spirit of love? Do you think that the delivery of the correction is just as important as correcting (or exposing false doctrine) is itself? I find myself thinking on this a lot lately...
 
I've been thinking about this myself. I have a lot of questions, but I hesitate in asking because the threads go downhill and turn mean at times. I don't think this is pleasing to God.

I think the delivery is very important.
 
I think if we use Jesus as an example; we see how He address the ignorant (lost sheep) in a gently way. We see how He addresses wandering sheep in a stern but loving way. And we see how he addresses wolves in sheep's clothing (Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes), very abrupt and to the point (mostly).

'Gently as a dove-wise as a serpent'

I think we must discern in that moment how we address issues to whom they are being addressed. We can't address the same question from believer as we would a believer. Nor can we address the same question from a seasoned Pastor to a newly Saved Christian. Nor can we address the same question from the ignorant or the openly disobedient.

I think in most cases the approach can be handled gently....

We have to discover the motive of the receiver to fully engage any issue. Sometimes it is a painstakingly long process, other times it is painfully obvious.
 
Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness

I've been thinking about this a lot as well lately, and I try to keep a few things in mind:

- We have to lose our addiction to being right; preserving a person's dignity is more important than forcing them into a logic corner where they must concede that they are wrong and I am right.

- The Bible has a LOT more to say about loving each other than correcting each other, and I think that's something significant to consider. I know some people will say that making sure someone believes the correct thing is showing them love, and therefore anything they do to get that person to concede that they are wrong is the most loving thing to do. I'll leave knowing a person's true motivation up to God, but I'll just say that an attitude like that is probably not going to result in restoring someone "in a spirit of gentleness."

- 1 Cor 12:3 says, Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. I know lots of people will have various interpretations of that verse, but for me, if anyone is willing to say that Jesus is Lord, I reserve the right to call that person my brother or sister.
 
Thanks you very much all for your thoughtful answers. I am impressed with what I have read here - but that is not the issue. Looks like we have looked into the Word of God in this thread and have come up with some good stuff! So again, thanks. :)
 
If we are discussing correcting someone over the Internet then it gets tricky. You can have love in your heart and write a blessed post that you think is perfect, but doesn't sound the same to someone else. Smiley faces help though :D
 
The truth is the truth even if it comes from a bad speaker but it is more effective from a better speaker.

The issue is not a lack of eloquence. "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:3-5. Clearly God is honored by the simple and unimpressive - does He not use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise?

Rather the issue is how do we abide in and present Truth in a way of peace and love? "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Romans 12:18. For just as we are commanded to tell and stand upon the Truth (take a look at the Jude verse in my first post), we are also commanded to do all things in love. All the law is summed up in love (Matthew 22:37-40). We are known to be His because of the love we show. ""By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35.

What is love? "Love is patient, love is kind..." 1 Corinthians 13:4a.

God cares about the delivery as well. :)
 
If we are discussing correcting someone over the Internet then it gets tricky. You can have love in your heart and write a blessed post that you think is perfect, but doesn't sound the same to someone else. Smiley faces help though :D

I have to agree! When we can't see each other we miss a vital part of communication - for with your body and face you can communicate as you correct or contradict that you are not trying to attack the other person, just trying to straighten things out...for the right reasons. We lose that on the internet!
 
I think if we use Jesus as an example; we see how He address the ignorant (lost sheep) in a gently way. We see how He addresses wandering sheep in a stern but loving way. And we see how he addresses wolves in sheep's clothing (Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes), very abrupt and to the point (mostly).

'Gently as a dove-wise as a serpent'

I think we must discern in that moment how we address issues to whom they are being addressed. We can't address the same question from believer as we would a believer. Nor can we address the same question from a seasoned Pastor to a newly Saved Christian. Nor can we address the same question from the ignorant or the openly disobedient.

I think in most cases the approach can be handled gently....

We have to discover the motive of the receiver to fully engage any issue. Sometimes it is a painstakingly long process, other times it is painfully obvious.

How do you see Him addressing the allegedly religiously inclined and learned? Any difference?
 
In my church we are strict on false teaching. We mention Prov 27:6 often. Anyone who presents themselves as an intelligent Christian is accountable for what comes out their mouth. Intelligence + ''Christian'' = power to stumble many. Mark 9:42 is a warning to those with the power to stumble. So how do you spot the wolf? Watch the defense. A smart and honest Christian, will take rebuke and correction from scripture. A false teacher will not. A careless wolf uses claws and teeth. A smart wolf, uses smooth talk and says what appears to be right / publicly acceptable....quoting just enough half truths to cause confusion / blur / smoke, enabling them to blend back in with the flock like nothing happened.

The mods on any Christian site have an important responsibility. I pray for them. So far they have been good. But there are a few false teachers going undetected. Watch those ''Christians'' here who are smart yet more interested in siding with popular public opinion then sound doctrine.
 
The key to walking in the blessing is love, because faith works BY love. And if we really love God then we won't want to hurt others, though we must still tell them the Truth.
You can correct in love. It's as simple as checking what your motivation is in your speaking to them. Extra little snipes and jabs aren't coming from the Holy Spirit, and neither are opinions.
 
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