While researching false teachings on the Internet I often come across sites which not only attack the false teachings but also attack the followers/adherents of these false teachings, belittling them and really just being downright mean.
I really don’t understand this. These people are actually bigoted against the deceived people, and often will misrepresent the teachings they follow just to make the people look totally foolish!
What is more interesting to me is that they do not treat pagans the same way. Does it ever occur to them that these deceived people are really the same as the pagans — and some of them are indeed pagans because they are cult members! Catholics and Mormons seem to get the most invectives, as if Jehovah’s Witnesses or Christian Scientists, et al, are any less deceived.
You who are calling yourselves discernment/apologetics ministries and yet behave in this manner are bringing disgrace to the name of Christ. Don’t attack the people — attack the teachings and expose the teachings biblically to show why the people are being deceived! Expose the false teacher by comparing their teachings to Scripture, but don’t attack them personally. Expose the false teachers for their behavior and why the behavior is wrong rather than just calling them names.
Yes, the Mormon religion is from Satan, but the Mormons themselves are deceived and need the gospel just as much as does the average pagan on the street who your are so willing to hand tracts too. Yes the Roman Catholic religion is corrupt with apostate and heretical teachings, but the Catholic person is deceived and in need of the truth just as does the pagan you hand tracts to.
Why is it these sort of people have no problem going everywhere with all sorts of tracts trying to get the average Joe or Jane on the street to take one and perhaps have a seed planted so they will seek truth, but they have no desire to reach people in cults or apostate religions? Is it because they have a semblance of Christianity that they are to be hated rather than pitied? Would these “apologists” rather refuse access to the truth for these people because they happened to be deceived by a teaching that is hated?
It doesn’t matter whether the person is a Catholic, a Mormon, a Jehovah’s Witness, a Freemason, a Hindu, a Muslim, etc. If you have the truth and they need it — reach out to them. Don’t just attack them as being stupid or ignorant, or fools, etc. They are all lost and need the light to expose the darkness they are in.
Drop your bigotry against the people because of the religion or non-religion they follow, and treat them as Jesus would treat them.
I think what your saying, which is what I try to stick to. I use the God's own words as the attack. It is sharper than a double edge sword. I put their misquoted scripture back into context or maybe just add what was left out. Inevitably, they find that a personal attack.
ReplyDeleteI've seen so many tears spilled over an in-law who puts her own sanctification ahead of her family under the influence of NAR teachings. Time and time again refusing to repent and failing to see care and love for her own family as the good works set aside for her by God.
I've come to understand that I should weep more for this person. I want to extend forgiveness.
Jesus was clear about forgiving those who continue to sin against you and ask forgiveness. You keep forgiving. How do you deal with those who believe they have done nothing wrong?
I understand that harboring anger and animosity are sins. I find myself caught up with a license to be feel these things by "hating what God hates". God clearly hates false teachers, and we are to silence them. Some of these followers are not just going along they are enabling these false teachers and propelling them forward.
And that last paragraph doesn't sit quite right with me. Maybe you can set me straight.
Glenn,
ReplyDeleteVery good point you make. As a former Jehovah's Witness, I allowed the personal attacks of hate and ignorance to be an hindrance to critically looking at truths that were being share about the JW history and teachings. Paul tells Timothy not to engage in quarrels, but correct those who oppose with gentleness and perhaps God will grant them repentance and knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:23-26.
Praise God! He did lead me away and out from under the teachings of the JW organization and to a Christian faith. However, I must say that I'm sadden by the vast number of Christians that have no heart of desire to share the true life saving gospel with a Jehovah's Witness.
A Cristian lives under a mandate to be a witness for Jesus and take that witness and make disciples to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 , Matthew 28:18-20.Many Christians will never leave there home town, state or country to do this for various reasons.Some will, most definitely, go to the ends of the earth, but not share the gospel in there own Judea.
These lost souls, maybe a Jehovah's Witness or maybe a Mormon, come right to your front door. What have you to do now Christian?
The last paragraph simply states that bigotry against the individual followers is wrong, and that you should treat them -- all people -- as Jesus would treat them. Give them the truth.
ReplyDeleteAs I'm sure, we all can appreciate talking with family about difference in our faith can be a disaster. Growing up, I saw many conversations between my JW side family and the Evangelical side turn absolutely not Christ Like from both sides. Unfortunately, they became apathetic toward each other.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would encourage is be prepared in gentleness to talked to these lost souls coming to our very door steps. Unfortunately, I have to use others means of opportunities being that my house is now declared apostate and off limits to call on.