Tearing Down Others In The Body of Christ With our Words by Greg Gordon

[gregjgordon]

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29
A clear pond has no ripples unless a stone is thrown into it which creates turbulence in the tranquility. In the same way in Christian life it takes words of accusation, gossip and slander to steal away peoples peace and disregard spiritual authority. To desire to stir up conflict and bring out accusations against others is a sinful attitude (Proverbs 16:28). Our mouths can cause us to greatly sin and one who talks to much should be avoided (Proverbs 20:19). We are told to keep our tongues from speaking evil things (Psalm 34:13). James one of the early leaders in the Church said: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers” (James 4:11). Out of our mouths can come blessings to believers but then death and accusation which is a poison or unclean thing. The one that desire to stir up dissension against authority is actually questing God himself who appoints leaders in the body of Christ. What is worse then biting and devour brethren is to seek to do so to shepherds of the Church.
John Chrysostom says, “Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbour.” We can seek the Lord in many ways and appear godly towards others but if we do not cease sinning from our lips or writing then we can bring shame to the Lord’s testimony. If we do not choose at times to careful bridle and stop our tongue we actually will never progress in godliness (James 1:26). Love calls for us to seek to do good to other brothers and sisters, to build them up and encourage them according to their needs. When we use our words to condemn, criticize, the Apostle Paul called that unwholesome talk. What profit is it for us to claim to be Disciples of the Lord and yet secretly or publicly tear down others in the body of Christ. It is grieving to read and see the ways Christian brothers and sisters condemn others in the body of Christ, but I can assure you that it grieves the Holy Spirit of God much more. We would change our actions and words quickly if we were able to see the reaction of our words against the body of Christ in the face of our Saviour Jesus. For it is his body we speak of, as faulty as it can be.

 

[pom2014]

No we are not to slander, nor sit in judgment.

But we are to discern. If someone that claims to follow The King is sticking to old wine we are to call that out.

We are not to condemn for the sake of condemnation alone, but to discern and make note of errors. To not point out when they stray from the new wine we are doing what is tantamount to allowing them to come into harm's way without intercession.

And we must intercede, even at the cost of our own selves. Even if we are reviled or shunned, it is better to have discerned and revealed error than it is to allow them to continue towards the ditch.

 

[zeke25]

No we are not to slander, nor sit in judgment.

But we are to discern. If someone that claims to follow The King is sticking to old wine we are to call that out.

We are not to condemn for the sake of condemnation alone, but to discern and make note of errors. To not point out when they stray from the new wine we are doing what is tantamount to allowing them to come into harm's way without intercession.

And we must intercede, even at the cost of our own selves. Even if we are reviled or shunned, it is better to have discerned and revealed error than it is to allow them to continue towards the ditch.

Hear, hear.

 

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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29
A clear pond has no ripples unless a stone is thrown into it which creates turbulence in the tranquility. In the same way in Christian life it takes words of accusation, gossip and slander to steal away peoples peace and disregard spiritual authority. To desire to stir up conflict and bring out accusations against others is a sinful attitude (Proverbs 16:28). Our mouths can cause us to greatly sin and one who talks to much should be avoided (Proverbs 20:19). We are told to keep our tongues from speaking evil things (Psalm 34:13). James one of the early leaders in the Church said: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers” (James 4:11). Out of our mouths can come blessings to believers but then death and accusation which is a poison or unclean thing. The one that desire to stir up dissension against authority is actually questing God himself who appoints leaders in the body of Christ. What is worse then biting and devour brethren is to seek to do so to shepherds of the Church.
John Chrysostom says, “Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbour.” We can seek the Lord in many ways and appear godly towards others but if we do not cease sinning from our lips or writing then we can bring shame to the Lord’s testimony. If we do not choose at times to careful bridle and stop our tongue we actually will never progress in godliness (James 1:26). Love calls for us to seek to do good to other brothers and sisters, to build them up and encourage them according to their needs. When we use our words to condemn, criticize, the Apostle Paul called that unwholesome talk. What profit is it for us to claim to be Disciples of the Lord and yet secretly or publicly tear down others in the body of Christ. It is grieving to read and see the ways Christian brothers and sisters condemn others in the body of Christ, but I can assure you that it grieves the Holy Spirit of God much more. We would change our actions and words quickly if we were able to see the reaction of our words against the body of Christ in the face of our Saviour Jesus. For it is his body we speak of, as faulty as it can be.

Nice article, or talk as the case may be, except that's all it is - empty words.

Attempt to apply the truth of scripture in a Sunday school class that's being led by a Biblically illiterate person and you'll find out very quickly how little the truth matters.
Attempt to use the name of Jesus Christ in a liberal seminary and you'll find yourself out on the street in a New York minute.
Attempt to use the name of Jesus Christ in a letter to a legitimate mission group and you'll find yourself being ostracized and removed from funding.
Protest to the pastor an abusive practice of celebrating communion and you'll find out that you and the bread and juice get less respect than crumbs on the floor.
Attempt to prevent commercial announcements from being played during worship service and you'll discover that you are a loose cannon.
Attempt to protest hate language from being directed at God during worship service and you'll be told to hold your tongue.
Attempt to halt the sale of demonic objects for purposes of profit for the church and you'll be called a fanatic.

All of the above have either been experienced by this writer or by someone I know directly.

The state of the church today is a state of hypocrisy - and this too will find objection despite the truth of it.

and that's me, hollering from the choir loft...

 

[zeke25]

Nice article, or talk as the case may be, except that's all it is - empty words.

Attempt to apply the truth of scripture in a Sunday school class that's being led by a Biblically illiterate person and you'll find out very quickly how little the truth matters.
Attempt to use the name of Jesus Christ in a liberal seminary and you'll find yourself out on the street in a New York minute.
Attempt to use the name of Jesus Christ in a letter to a legitimate mission group and you'll find yourself being ostracized and removed from funding.
Protest to the pastor an abusive practice of celebrating communion and you'll find out that you and the bread and juice get less respect than crumbs on the floor.
Attempt to prevent commercial announcements from being played during worship service and you'll discover that you are a loose cannon.
Attempt to protest hate language from being directed at God during worship service and you'll be told to hold your tongue.
Attempt to halt the sale of demonic objects for purposes of profit for the church and you'll be called a fanatic.

All of the above have either been experienced by this writer or by someone I know directly.

The state of the church today is a state of hypocrisy - and this too will find objection despite the truth of it.

and that's me, hollering from the choir loft...

That's why I studied the doctrine of church. Found out it didn't exist in the Bible. So now I study about Christ and the Body of Christ in the Bible and exclude any idea of "church". Now it makes a lot more sense. Men run churches with men's rules and ideas. Christ is the head of the Body of Christ. Churches enslave men. Christ sets men free. The word church is not in the Bible. Ekklesia does not translate into church. Nuff said for now.

 

[Axehead]

What is sad about this person is that he bans anyone that disagrees with him.
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=54762&forum=34

 

[zeke25]

What is sad about this person is that he bans anyone that disagrees with him.
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=54762&forum=34

Axehead, Thanks for the heads up.
zeke25

 

[Jun2u]

I too sadly concur about this person.

To God Be The Glory