Call a person out in love (kindly correct).

Good day WordPress family,

I hope you’re all doing great, and transitioning well into the new normal with the help of God. I want to encourage us, and remind us all to continually trust in the Lord’s sovereignty, and not to allow thoughts of fear, anxiety, and panic to dominate our minds. We must reject Satan’s lies and accept God’s truths. Anyways today I will be talking about correcting others in love, and the importance of having ‘healthy/beneficial’ discussions with others. This has been on my mind for a while now considering the fact that I’ve seen A LOT of people, publicly calling others out.

First and foremost I’d like to state that I am not against correction as it is good, productive, and necessary, when done in the right way. Also accepting wise counsel helps us avoid destructive habits. Plus the Bible says that God disciplines those He loves. But there is a BIG difference between calling a person out and simply mocking a person before others.

Hebrews 12:6 ~ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

What I have noticed with SOME of the content on social media, is that some individuals exude the holier than thou attitude. I find it difficult to see or hear Christ during such discussions (heated arguments), but what I can see and hear is pride. This is not always the case, as I have also watched people point out false teaching in a wise manner, which is extremely essential so that people are not deceived, or led astray. But sadly some videos show individuals trying to prove their own point or extreme cleverness, rather than pointing people to Christ. When Paul openly rebuked others (called people out), the summary of his statements would always point people to the saving power of Christ’s death on the cross, and His resurrection. Trying to make another person look foolish or dumb instead of GENTLY correcting them, does much harm rather than good. Our conversations should be edifying, and the purpose of our debates should be for the advancement of the kingdom of God. It should bring glory to God. This is why it is wise to shy away from engaging in meaningless conversations… arguments! Also it’s good to admit if you’re unsure about something instead of speaking on a doctrine you have absolutely no understanding in. I can confirm that I have seen a handful of broadcasts were people have had heated discussions on subjects that they lack knowledge in, which does not benefit listeners and can potentially hinder the faith of others.

Galatians 2:11-21 ~ “But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.”

In some cases I’ve heard discussions being shared about not going to church because there are ‘no good churches out there’. I agree that one should not attend a church where a false gospel is being preached, but make the effort to find another church. In some cases individuals have painted the picture that they’re too knowledgable for church, or they are too good to mix with others in the house of the Lord.

A few reasons why I personally believe it is good to attend church…

1. We’re supposed to follow in Christ’s footsteps, and Christ spent a lot of time in the synagogue. Luke 4:16 ~ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read.

2. No one holds absolute truths on everything written in the Bible, which is why it is important for us to study God’s word! And a great way in which one can learn is by attending a church Bible study group. There is no perfect person so why ever expect to find a ‘perfect church’….. no one is without sin! I mean I’m not perfect and if I was to find a so called perfect church and join that church, it would no longer be perfect.

3. Also the Bible states that we should not forsake the gathering of GOD’S people[Hebrews 10:25]. (This would mean that it is ok to leave a gathering which is not of God [one which teaches a false gospel]).

There will come a time on our spiritual journey where we will be unsure about something (a Bible passage, or how to handle a particular matter). And we will have to ask God for understanding and wisdom! This is normal! We may even have to wait some time. It doesn’t matter if it takes a week, a year, 5 years or 10 years the most important thing is for us to wait upon the Lord for His wisdom, instructions or advice. As mentioned before, if you’re unsure of a certain area in the Bible simply admit it! Don’t try preaching on it if you lack clarity/understanding on it, otherwise you end up waffling, and confusing others AS WELL AS yourself in the process. Instead ask the Lord for help!

Numbers 9:7-8 “and said, “We have become ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body. But why should we be prevented from presenting the Lord’s offering at the proper time with the rest of the Israelites?” Moses answered, “Wait here until I have received instructions for you from the Lord.”

^^ From this passage we see that Moses told the people to WAIT until he receives instructions. We gotta learn to wait people, I know this may present as a challenge, especially considering that we live in a day and age where everything is so fast pace, but we have to practice patience.

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.”

^^ It is ok not to know EVERYTHING, only God is all knowing!

There are so many more elements to today’s discussion which I feel would be way too much to try to squeeze into one post, therefore I intend to do a follow up post very soon God willing. Remember it is good to correct, but the way in which you do it can either have a positive, or negative impact upon the receiver! If someone started yelling at me because I made a mistake I’m less likely to listen to what they’re saying, as all my mind would be focused on is the fact that they’re shouting. But if someone pleasantly pointed out an error I made, I’d be grateful. Yes sometimes it can be difficult to accept that you messed up, and yes you may get upset, but it’s necessary and can help prevent harm.

Stay safe, be proactive and God bless.

Love from

Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart