Which is worse: sin or pointing out sin?

[David1701]

I very recently witnessed a thread being closed, due to brothers in Christ accusing each other of dishonesty.  The thing is that one of them carefully and accurately provided proof of the dishonesty; but the other made reckless and ill-founded accusations; and continued to do so, even after being called out about it.

This manner of closing the thread made me angry (no names - it's the principle I'm interested in), since there was zero moral equivalence between the two posters, yet they were tarred with same brush; and the one who provided careful proof was singled out for a personal rebuke, by the one who closed the thread (I was not one of the two involved, although I had posted earlier in the thread).

Gal. 2:11-18 (VW)

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;
12 for before certain men came from Jacob, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to Judaize?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believe into Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law no flesh shall be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found to be sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Let it not be.
18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I confirm myself as a transgressor.

One Christian brother engages in hypocrisy and is rebuked, with carefully provided reasons, openly.  Who deserved the rebuke, Peter (who engaged in hypocrisy) or Paul, who rightly and openly accused him of hypocrisy?  The answer is obvious.

We need to judge righteous judgment and distinguish between truth and lies, honesty and hypocrisy.  It is the trouble-maker who deserves a rebuke, not the one who points out the sin.

 

[other one]

I've been here for a long time now and have seen people come and go...   you would probably be surprised to know how many people discuss things in that manor...    state your idea and if someone disagrees with you and you can't get them to change their minds on the subject escalate the conversation to get the thread deleted so you don't have to give in....    

I can only tell you that most of those folks don't stay here long...

[David1701]

4 minutes ago, other one said:

I've been here for a long time now and have seen people come and go...   you would probably be surprised to know how many people discuss things in that manor...    state your idea and if someone disagrees with you and you can't get them to change their minds on the subject escalate the conversation to get the thread deleted so you don't have to give in....    

I can only tell you that most of those folks don't stay here long...

You're probably right, at least I hope so.

[other one]

1 minute ago, David1701 said:

You're probably right, at least I hope so.

the best way to deal with those people us just state your case and let it go...   others reading the thread will see your logic and see where the other person is going and not pay them any mind...   and we do have a lot of people drop by just to read....     

State your case and in a complete way and if people have questions answer them but if they just want to fight over it give them a small character pfffft and let it go.   but when you let it go, really let it go.   don't go back.

that's helped me keep my sanity here for some 16 years or so...

[David1701]

30 minutes ago, other one said:

the best way to deal with those people us just state your case and let it go...   others reading the thread will see your logic and see where the other person is going and not pay them any mind...   and we do have a lot of people drop by just to read....     

State your case and in a complete way and if people have questions answer them but if they just want to fight over it give them a small character pfffft and let it go.   but when you let it go, really let it go.   don't go back.

that's helped me keep my sanity here for some 16 years or so...

That's good advice, and quite difficult to keep...

[enoob57]

34 minutes ago, other one said:

that's helped me keep my sanity here for some 16 years or so...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah pauses for breath and contemplation aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah pauses for breath and contemplation aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah  

[Ray12614]

45 minutes ago, other one said:

the best way to deal with those people us just state your case and let it go...   others reading the thread will see your logic and see where the other person is going and not pay them any mind...   and we do have a lot of people drop by just to read....     

State your case and in a complete way and if people have questions answer them but if they just want to fight over it give them a small character pfffft and let it go.   but when you let it go, really let it go.   don't go back.

that's helped me keep my sanity here for some 16 years or so...

Well said. I learned years ago that I don’t have to have the last word. And though it is frustrating when we know that we are right scripturally we are to make allowances for those who oppose themselves if we can do so without denying biblical teaching. At least I think that it is a proper way to handle these situations. 

Ray

[other one]

And I have a personal rule that I try and not tell people they are wrong....  but I just disagree with them or don't see it that way.

....  

[missmuffet]

Question: "Why are Christians so judgmental?"

Answer: One of the most widespread arguments against Christians is that they are “judgmental” or “always imposing their views on others.” Often, this criticism comes in response to Christians who speak out against behaviors and lifestyles that God judges as “sin” and has declared to be an outrage to Him (see Proverbs 16:1). We live in a society where “everyone [does] what [is] right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25)—where people insist that there are no moral absolutes, that each man should decide for himself what is right or wrong, and that we should “tolerate” (which in their minds essentially means “celebrate”) sinful activities. Those who take seriously the biblical warnings against sin and dare speak out against evil are written off as religious fanatics, and all Christians are, ironically, judged as being “judgmental.”

The Scripture that is used the most to support the idea that Christians should not judge is Matthew 7:1, where Jesus says to His disciples, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” It’s one verse that many unbelievers can quote. Another popular saying, taken from John 8:7, is “He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” But when we read these verses in their immediate contexts, it becomes glaringly obvious that Jesus is not warning against every kind of judging but against hypocritical, self-righteous judging (see Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:1-11). In other words, a man should refrain from pronouncing judgment on those who commit the very sin in which he engages, for “with the judgment [we] pronounce [we] will be judged” (Matthew 7:2). This exhortation is similar to the point made by the apostle Paul when he asks, “Do you suppose, O man – you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself – that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:3). These verses are a warning against hypocrisy and, at the same time, an exhortation to right living.

However, hypocritical judging is the only kind of judging the Bible says that Christians should avoid. The Christian must “judge” or discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14)! We must make spiritual evaluations of the words and behavior of others, not to find fault, but to effectively guard our hearts against error and sin (1 Corinthians 2:14-15; Proverbs 4:23). In fact, immediately after Jesus warned His disciples against hypocritical judgment, He says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs” (Matthew 7:6). How is the Christian supposed to know who the “dogs” and the “pigs” are unless he or she exercises discernment? Furthermore, Jesus warns His disciples just a few verses later, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16). This admonition is given not only with regard to “false prophets” but also concerning anyone who comes in the name of Christ but who, by his actions, denies Christ (Titus 1:16; cf. Matthew 3:8).

According to Jesus, this kind of judgment is considered “right judgment” (John 7:24) and is strongly encouraged. We are to be “as wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16), and wisdom demands that we be discerning (Proverbs 10:13). And when we have discerned rightly, we are to speak the truth, with love being the motivating factor (Ephesians 4:15). Love requires that we gently confront those in error with the truth about their sin with the hope of bringing them to repentance and faith (Galatians 6:1). “Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death” (James 5:20). The true Christian speaks the truth—not merely what he believes to be the truth, but the truth as plainly revealed in God’s Word. The truth, especially the truth about good and evil, exists independently from what we feel or think (Isaiah 5:20-21).

Those who reject or are offended by the truth simply prove the power of God’s Word to convict the heart of man; for “the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

https://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-judgmental.html

Edited September 4, 2020 by missmuffet