Sinful Silence
It is one of the most popular sayings right now on social media, both from those who make a claim to Christ and those who would refute the truth: "Don't judge someone else because they sin differently than you do." Although there is truth in this statement, to just leave it there is for a Christian to take a passive stance that is filled with stagnant faith. It is a statement that leaves the Christian knowing what not to do (the negative aspect) and does not proclaim what a Christian ought to do (the positive aspect). Are Christians just supposed to step back and only pray when real evils confront them? Are they to remain silent on these matters that contradict the Word of God?
Let me first say that all Christians are to live with an attitude of prayer (1 Thess. 5:17); prayer is especially paramount when dealing with challenges that are directly opposed to the Word of God. Prayer is often the means that God uses for His plan to be carried out (Heb. 13:18-19). It can also be stated that taking the time to pray before speaking or taking action keeps our own motives in check and weighs them with sound doctrine (cf. 1 Pet. 4:7).
Although Christians are not to be silent on matters of evil that contradict God's truth (Eph. 5:11) and are not to be afraid to defend why they believe what they believe (1 Pet. 3:15), it is important to note that such active measures ought to not be driven by one's own emotions. When a Christian's response stems from emotion rather than what is directly found from the Scriptures, it is often mixed up with sin and does not properly proclaim the intended message. In all responses, however, love for God and others must be in focus (Matt. 22:37-40).
In reference to the aforementioned statement popularized via social media, it is indeed necessary to heed the words of our Lord Jesus: "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" (Matt. 7:5). Is Jesus saying anything about taking a passive stance when it comes to another person's sin? Not at all! Our Lord is not only reminding us that we too are also sinners and our prone to having a judgmental attitude, but He is also reminding us that we must confess our sins and seek God's forgiveness (cf. 1 John 1:9) before confronting someone else in their sin. In other words, we must first agree with and confess to God on what He says about our sins before we proclaim that others must do likewise; but confront others we ought!
When confronting others who make a claim to Christ, Christians are to prayerfully follow what the apostle Paul states in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness" (Note the word gentleness!). This (and Matt. 18:15) is to followed by Matthew 18:16 if the person refuses to heed the counsel. Lastly, if this proves to be ineffective to bringing the person to repentance, the matter is to be brought to the church in order that the person seek God's forgiveness and repent; if the person refuses, the person shall be treated as an unbeliever and excommunicated in order that such an influence would not be included in the body of believers (Matt. 18:17). This is a responsibility for every Christian (cf. 1 Tim. 5:1; 20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:13; 2:15). Such a prescription is not for punishing an unrepentant sinner, but rather to regard him as an opportunity for evangelism.
If, however, the person who is confronted does not make a claim to Christ, Christians are to prayerfully internalize the truth found in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." A brief and concise summary of the gospel can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, which points to the powerful message of salvation to sinners through the sacrificial death and physical resurrection of Jesus for sins. In trusting that the Word of God will accomplish what God decrees, you should find much comfort in knowing this. When you present the gospel to unbelievers, it is up to God, not you, who draws them to Himself (John 12:32). Nonetheless, Christians are called to "contend for the faith" (Jude 3).
Back to one of the main questions: Are Christians supposed to remain silent regarding matters that contradict the Word of God? Not at all! They are to rather be a witness to the truth while demonstrating gentleness, honesty, and integrity; the root of this is love for God and others (Matt. 22:37-40). In humbly exuding these godly attributes, you point people to Christ. As a good friend of mine recently stated, "...if sinners weren't allowed to proclaim the truth, Christianity would cease to be." Be a faithful vessel that is equipped for every good work (2 Tim. :3:17) and gently yet confidently proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20)!
Don't remain in sinful silence by neglecting your responsibility to humbly and boldly proclaim the hope that resides within you (1 Pet. 3:15).
Let me first say that all Christians are to live with an attitude of prayer (1 Thess. 5:17); prayer is especially paramount when dealing with challenges that are directly opposed to the Word of God. Prayer is often the means that God uses for His plan to be carried out (Heb. 13:18-19). It can also be stated that taking the time to pray before speaking or taking action keeps our own motives in check and weighs them with sound doctrine (cf. 1 Pet. 4:7).
Although Christians are not to be silent on matters of evil that contradict God's truth (Eph. 5:11) and are not to be afraid to defend why they believe what they believe (1 Pet. 3:15), it is important to note that such active measures ought to not be driven by one's own emotions. When a Christian's response stems from emotion rather than what is directly found from the Scriptures, it is often mixed up with sin and does not properly proclaim the intended message. In all responses, however, love for God and others must be in focus (Matt. 22:37-40).
In reference to the aforementioned statement popularized via social media, it is indeed necessary to heed the words of our Lord Jesus: "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" (Matt. 7:5). Is Jesus saying anything about taking a passive stance when it comes to another person's sin? Not at all! Our Lord is not only reminding us that we too are also sinners and our prone to having a judgmental attitude, but He is also reminding us that we must confess our sins and seek God's forgiveness (cf. 1 John 1:9) before confronting someone else in their sin. In other words, we must first agree with and confess to God on what He says about our sins before we proclaim that others must do likewise; but confront others we ought!
When confronting others who make a claim to Christ, Christians are to prayerfully follow what the apostle Paul states in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness" (Note the word gentleness!). This (and Matt. 18:15) is to followed by Matthew 18:16 if the person refuses to heed the counsel. Lastly, if this proves to be ineffective to bringing the person to repentance, the matter is to be brought to the church in order that the person seek God's forgiveness and repent; if the person refuses, the person shall be treated as an unbeliever and excommunicated in order that such an influence would not be included in the body of believers (Matt. 18:17). This is a responsibility for every Christian (cf. 1 Tim. 5:1; 20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:13; 2:15). Such a prescription is not for punishing an unrepentant sinner, but rather to regard him as an opportunity for evangelism.
If, however, the person who is confronted does not make a claim to Christ, Christians are to prayerfully internalize the truth found in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." A brief and concise summary of the gospel can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, which points to the powerful message of salvation to sinners through the sacrificial death and physical resurrection of Jesus for sins. In trusting that the Word of God will accomplish what God decrees, you should find much comfort in knowing this. When you present the gospel to unbelievers, it is up to God, not you, who draws them to Himself (John 12:32). Nonetheless, Christians are called to "contend for the faith" (Jude 3).
Back to one of the main questions: Are Christians supposed to remain silent regarding matters that contradict the Word of God? Not at all! They are to rather be a witness to the truth while demonstrating gentleness, honesty, and integrity; the root of this is love for God and others (Matt. 22:37-40). In humbly exuding these godly attributes, you point people to Christ. As a good friend of mine recently stated, "...if sinners weren't allowed to proclaim the truth, Christianity would cease to be." Be a faithful vessel that is equipped for every good work (2 Tim. :3:17) and gently yet confidently proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20)!
Don't remain in sinful silence by neglecting your responsibility to humbly and boldly proclaim the hope that resides within you (1 Pet. 3:15).
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