When you begin to take other people’s opinion of yourself above your own self-knowledge, it’s time to reevaluate who it is you are trying to please.
There are very few things more disturbing to a man of God than being in the company of a person who also claims to serve the Almighty, but who will, when others join in the conversation, change not only his tune, but his entire demeaner. The words of eternal truth cease passing from his lips, the world has not intruded, he has succumbed to the pressure of those who live in it.
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)
That person who is either lost or one of the wicked had no intention of persuading that man who professes Christ of stepping off the path, he was not joining in the conversation in an attempt to mock the words that were previously being spoken. The man in question wanted to remain friendly and congenial, and if the Living God is part of that conversation, those who came over might begin to think less of him.
He has not wronged me, and for me to put him on the spot, so to speak, and bring up some Scripture verses at that moment might possibly do what we are never to do, shame one that might possibly be a brother in Christ by revealing to them this truth, that they just became embarrassed of the name of the One they claim to serve.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
Now let us add into this scenario this question, once those others have left and only the two of you are standing there, should you bring your thoughts about what just happened up to him?
Here my friends is where the body of Christ has begun to fail miserably, we will not, we refuse to correct, reprove and rebuke in love those who have greatly erred. We fear personal reprisals and so we just let it slide, we fear we may be called judgmental, a Pharisee on the wall, a busy body who should just mind their own business.
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” (Prov. 6:23)
Not anymore.
We see the sins, we witness them personally, but it’s not our place to get involved, it’s not our place to profess what we know as truth, what they would consider our opinions. And so, we smile at each other on the street, we shake hands in the setting of the church, we smile and wave at each other, and let bygones be bygones.
What would you do? What are you doing to stand for the Almighty when sin steps into your view, silence or truth?
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16)
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
Speaking up, is it your place to do so or not? If not, what are the options? Go to the pastor and report the incident, mention it to one of the church elders, pray about it and then forget about it? Or speak up, immediately, in love, but firm truth?
We call each other brothers and sisters in Christ, but we will not speak to each other about the faults we witness, much less confess them to each other.
And we call ourselves a family.
Since the day the Almighty called me to Himself, I have known a truth about myself, I do not care what you think about me, not in the least, unless I have dishonored the name of the Most High God, then I expect you to reveal my faults to me.
My beautiful wife said something to me years ago I have never forgotten. “When you get mad you say stupid things.”
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1:26)
You know when you are to say something, pray for the right words to say.
