February Special: Overflow of the Spirit Training Package & Free Video Event
Learn How to Release All the Gifts of the Spirit in Every Area of Life!

5 Reasons I Won't Publicly Correct or Admonish Others

Jesse Birkey's picture

I used to be the one on the wall searching for things to warn others about, people to warn others about.  But as my vision of Jesus went from blurry to clear, my understanding of what love looks like lived out did the same.  I can’t say I always walk in perfect love perfectly, but I’m trying. 

 

Here are five reasons why I won’t publicly admonish, correct, or condemn others.

 

 

 

1.     Our opinion of what’s weird isn’t the quintessential truth.  And it doesn’t determine the difference between good and evil

 

I’ve used this quote often but stay with me while I give it another go. 

 

“You can’t judge what’s of God and what’s not by it’s level of weirdness.” –Michael Van Vlymen from his book, Angelic Visitations and Supernatural Encounters

 

Elisha made an axe head float by throwing a piece of wood into the water (2 Kings 6).  A donkey spoke to Balaam (Num. 22).  The sun didn’t set (Joshua 10).  There’s weird stuff in the bible.  Much more so than the few examples I’ve mentioned and I think these biblical examples are more sensational than many of the things we end up publically condemning each other for.  Point is, I don’t think many of us would call these things found in the bible evil even if we agree they’re weird.

 

If we are growing and maturing with Jesus there will most likely be things we thought were weird that we now consider to be normal.  Many things that have made that transition in my life.  The revelation’s usually followed by, Oh, I think so and so was right.

 

Many of us have our identities wound so tightly into our beliefs that questioning them feels like dying.  For them, what is believed must be fact or they don’t know who they are.  The world begins to crumble around them and instability reigns.  They become desperate to restore order so the voice that offers a different way of understanding becomes the enemy.

 

But here’s the thing, our beliefs are really just our opinions.  Not fact, just conviction.  We would do good to remember this when trying to relate to others with their own opinions.      

 

 

2.     We might be wrong

 

Like I said, if we are growing with Jesus there should be things we thought were bonkers that are normal to us now.  And trust me, there is someone out there who came to the truth of it before us.

 

When it comes to calling others out for weird stuff falling outside of Mere Christianity, we make a huge assumption that we’re right and they’re wrong.  Well, I’ve experienced the reverse enough to learn it’s better to keep my mouth shut and wait it out before speaking against something striking me as odd.

 

To the extent that we enjoy the flavor of humble pie and the unique spice blend of crow, we will rush to condemn what we don’t understand and haven’t experienced.  James encourages us to be slow to speak (James 1:19).  That’s wisdom and maturity.

 

3.     It’s tough to remain in love

 

Jesus told us to love one another.  By this the world will know that we are his children (John 13:34-35).  Love is patient and kind.  It does not dishonor.  It’s not self-seeking or easily angered or keep records of wrong.  It always protects, hopes, and perseveres (1 Cor. 13).

 

It’s difficult to maintain a posture of self-sacrificial love when standing in front of a group of people publically condemning another with whom we disagree.  If we can serve someone while telling a mass of people why they’re wrong and how dangerous he/she is, I’d like to know how. 

 

Love always protects.  At what point to do we determine whom we will try and protect and who will be sacrificed?  It’s my understanding that love will protect both people we feel are in danger, and also the one we determine is the predator.

 

In the public eye, love looks like encouragement, edification, and exhortation.  It builds up and never tears down.  In correction or disagreements, love looks like one on one discussion where both parties are honored and respected.  Love listens and ascribes value to the other before speaking.  Love seeks to understand and never rushes to judgment. 

 

Of course we have the biblical system of first meeting with the individual one on one, then adding another, then the specific assembly (Matthew 18).  But I wonder when we added, bring the world in.

 

 

4.     It causes division

 

We will not likely survive a public correction without creating opposing sides.  And, more often than not, the outcry from both parties will be an escalation of emotions with little regard to the worth and value of the other side. 

 

Many feelings are hurt and relationships broken as the two decide they can’t continue on together.  Never mind that we are unified in our love for Jesus.  The other issue is just too big, much more important.

 

Heresy is a word that is misunderstood and often abused.  While we throw it at people we feel are dangerous and out in left field, it actually just means sect.  When we publically condemn others we will most likely cause division, birthing sects or heresies.  Incidentally, this is one of the things Paul condemns is Galatians 5:20.  

 

5.     It’s motivated by fear

 

Many unholy things have been done by self-righteous rationalization.  When we smell something we think is fishy, we decide it’s our job to warn others.  Especially when it comes to our beliefs. 

 

We free-fall into the end justifies the means approach and sacrifice love for the well being of others.  But anything that pushes out self-sacrificial love is not birthed from love.  It’s most likely birthed from control.  And control comes from fear. 

 

“We have enough watchmen on the wall.” – Tyler Johnson

 

Some fearful folk camp out on that wall waiting for a glimpse of something weird to warn us about.  It’s time for many of us to get down and learn how to serve rather than try to put the world in the order we think it should be.

 

Fear seeks to expose and destroy.  Love seeks to understand and build up.  Fear is a natural response to stimuli.  But what we choose to do from that point on says a lot about our understanding of perfect love and the security found therein. 

 

That’s it.  I’m out of reasons.  Hopefully you can relate to some of them and the church can begin to walk in love to a greater degree than we do today.  That’s the prayer of my heart and hopefully yours as well.

 

Blessings,

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey

 

www.jessebirkey.com

jbirkey@jessebirkey.com

twitter.com/JesseBirkey

http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey

www.goodreads.com/jessebirkey

http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey

 

Add new comment

Comments

Anonymous's picture

This is quite timely in my life. Much wisdom here!

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 31 - 40 of 485

Pages

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 66 Pages

Though the economic system (mammon) of this world is under a curse, we have received instructions for how to move out from that dominion and into the blessing of the Kingdom of God. God’s promises to His children have not changed with the whims of government or Wall Street, nor have His directions for how to walk in those promises. We can “choose not to participate” in the economic recession that is around us if we instead choose to obey the logos and rhema of the Lord and enjoy the blessings that result.

Price: $9.95
Gifted to Succeed

Gifted to Succeed

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 189 Pages

There is no joy so complete as knowing who you are -- who God has made you to be and what your basic giftings and drives are. The goal of this book is to get you effectively functioning in roles which allow you to adequately express your heart motivations and gifts. The fulfillment you experience when you function in your gifts and calling is a joy almost beyond belief.

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." (Prov. 22:29)

Price: $17.95
The Great Mystery

Great Mystery

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 54 Pages

This is a workbook which guides you in meditating on hundreds of New Testament verses which speak of Who Christ is within us and how to touch and release Him and His wisdom, power and might continuously and effortlessly out through our lives. You will look up every New Testament verse on being "in Christ," "in Him" and "in Whom." In addition, you will meditate on the various names given to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and realize that all that He is is available within you and even joined to you (1 Cor. 6:17)! Absolutely amazing!

Price: $9.95
Health Mastery Through MRT

Health Mastery Through MRT

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 82 Pages

Wouldn't it be great if there were a way for my body to tell me exactly what it needs and desires, without having to take expensive or invasive tests? Wouldn't it be amazing if I could perform these tests as often as I wanted, right in my own home (or anywhere I wanted), with no costly instruments necessary? 

Price: $19.95

Hearing God Through Biblical Meditation

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 179 Pages | $15.99 retail list price

For many years I studied the Bible incorrectly, and it produced death rather than life. Even though I had a knowledge of the Scriptures, I did not personally experience the life and the realities they revealed. The Bible calls this the ministry of death, rather than the ministry of righteousness (2 Cor. 3:6–9). Upon coming out of Bible college, I found myself just like the apostle Paul, attacking those who disagreed with my theology. 

Price: $15.95

Hearing God's Voice for Healing

Mark and Patti Virkler | 281 Pages | Retail: $23.99

Explore the many methods Jesus used to heal. Recognize the significance of the fact that more than half the time, the word used for these healings was the Greek word for "therapeutic," which means "cure". Become aware of 28 therapeutic cures which are either mentioned in the Bible or, if not specifically mentioned, are compatible with biblical principles.

Price: $19.95

How Do You Know?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 180 Pages

How do you know? What is the process you use to discover truth? I did not ask that question during the first 25 years of my life. I used eleven different methods for discovering truth including: if my parents said so, then it was so. If my teacher said it was so, then it was so. If my pastor said it was so, then it was so. If my theology said it was so, then it was so. I have discarded them all and adopted a twelfth method, which is in harmony with what the Bible teaches. We teach you this method in this book.

Price: $17.95
How to Build a Winning Team

How to Build a Winning Team

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 105 Pages

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great?  The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

Price: $12.95
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 44 Pages | Published 2002

This brief booklet walks a person through the main obstacles to speaking in tongues, and shows how each one can be successfully overcome. It is down-to-earth, practical and biblical, and in it Mark Virkler shares the struggles he went through before he was able to speak in tongues. Some were theological issues and some simply practical issues, like the fact that if I am going to speak in tongues, I will need to speak. Otherwise, nothing happens.

Price: $2.95
How to Walk by the Spirit

How to Walk by the Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 136 Pages | Previous name "Sense Your Spirit"

Are you like many western Christians who have been taught little about how to sense their spirits? Do you have trouble even defining what spirit sensations feel like within you, much less recognizing them? This training was birthed from Mark’s passion to live out of his spirit, and thus release the anointing of God. The problem he faced was lack of clear biblical definition as to what his spirit felt like. So Mark looked up every verse in the Bible on heart and spirit.

Price: $13.95

Pages