Should I Always Correct Sinfulness in Others?

 

Short Answer: We have to learn the difference between being prompted to speak by the Holy Spirit and a desire to speak from a lack of self-control. Not all thoughts, even what we believe to be righteous, are meant to be spoken.

What the Bible Says

The Apostle Paul tells us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We generally talk about this verse in the context of what we believe to be “bad” or sinful thoughts. However, the key word in this verse is every. Every thought, even the ones that we believe to be righteous, must come before the Lord before it comes out of our mouth.

First, only God knows the true motivation of the heart – even yours. We can say that we’re speaking out of love to help our brothers and sisters in their walk with Christ, but only God knows if there are hidden motivations behind your words (1 Chronicles 28:9). Second, as we don’t know anyone else’s heart, we can’t know how our words will be received. Just because someone is a believer in Christ, does not mean that they are spiritually ready to receive a message.

This is not a message that we should be quiet, but it is a message that we need to use discernment. We’re told to, “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). This means that correction or rebuke of our brothers and sisters must be in God’s time and in His way, not ours.

 What do you do with this?

The short answer to knowing when to speak is that you have to be in relationship with God. When we follow Him, we learn to know His voice (John 10:27). The more we listen, the clearer it becomes. When we trust Him and believe Him, He will give us the right words at the right time (Luke 12: 11-12).

Waiting to speak can be as much about protecting you from sinfulness as it is about protecting someone else from stumbling. Not speaking in anger isn’t the only caution (Ephesians 4:26). Pride and arrogance (to name a few) can be just as spiritually damaging (1 Samuel 2:3), both to us and to others. We live in a world that emphasizes that we aren’t responsible for anyone but ourselves. However, the Bible teaches that we can, in fact, cause someone else to stumble (Romans 14:13). And, if that person is a believer, we’re in trouble (Luke 17:2)!

What seeds are you sowing in those around you (1 Corinthians 3:6)? Are you sowing seeds of belief that God is harsh and critical and boastful and proud? Or are you sowing seeds of belief that God is faithful and forgiving? 2 Corinthians 5:20 tell us that we are Christ’s ambassadors, which means that our actions and words should be reflective of who He is. We are called to be kind to one another and tender-hearted (Ephesians 4:32), not loud and abrasive.

When it comes to speaking truth to others, gentleness does not mean tolerance for sin. It does, however, mean that you understand how we’ve been instructed to approach one another. God Himself corrects those he loves (Hebrews 12:6). If He does call upon us to address transgression in others, we’re to, “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

In other words, rebuke others in representation of God's character only when He calls for it, with the understanding that a wrong heart leaves you susceptible to the same sin. Before you open your mouth to speak, ask God to check your heart and mind:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139: 23-24)




Relevant Scriptures

·       We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

·       “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12: 11- 12)

·       The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. (Proverbs 15:2)

·       May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. (Psalm 19:14)

·       You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Matthew 12:34)

·       “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

·       Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)