Airing Dirty Laundry

I once heard about a church who had a group of disgruntled attenders/members that formed a Facebook group for the purpose of complaining and attacking the elders and the church. Is such action appropriate? Is the Lord alright with that?

I thought I might offer some biblical perspective on this issue. So…Here goes…In dealing with issues like this, we must always ask, “What does God say?” Fortunately, the Scriptures are not silent on issues like this, and we can find peace and resolve from being obedient to the Scriptures.

Go to the Offender Alone

First of all, the Scriptures are clear about what to do, if you have been offended or hurt by a brother or sister in Christ. Matthew 18:15 states, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” The objective is a restored relationship. When we post our grievances online, or talk to other people about them (i.e., gossip), we have violated Scripture.

Never Accept Gossip—Must be 1st Person Witnesses

Second, Paul was clear in his admonition to Timothy. He wrote, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses” (1 Timothy 5:19). If someone has an accusation against a church elder, they are to have witnesses. It is imperative that the witnesses meet the qualification of the word. That means that hearsay witness is not admissible. Neither is rumor or gossip. As we know, from the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-8), the witnesses must be someone who saw “the very act.” Anytime that someone engages in pastor-bashing, rather than following the biblical guidelines, they are living in sinful disobedience.

Never Sow Discord Among Believers

Third, Solomon recorded an action that God finds disgusting. Proverbs 6:19 states, “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” The two actions, of lying and sowing discord, are on the list of six things God hates and the last is an “abomination” (i.e., something that is disgusting). When God’s people engage in sowing discord, no matter the reasoning, they are living in willful and sinful disobedience.

Avoid Those Who Seek to Divide & Destroy the Church

Finally, Paul’s command to the Roman believers was “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). He leaves no option for “hanging out” with them, or sharing social media posts with them. He clearly states “avoid” them. Again, when we choose to ignore the biblical command, we are living in willful sin.

Therefore, it would be biblically correct to “unfriend” those who engage in unbiblical and divisive behavior and conversation. Yes, we must love people, and we must care for those who have experience painful hurts. Yes, we must help them to recover. Yet, we must always follow the biblical guidelines.

We can never justify any disobedience to the Scriptures, no matter how well-intentioned.