It seems to me that Jesus has told us exactly how to deal with a person's
questionable behavior or doctrine: I believe it is so important to pray
about it first, for the Lord to guide me as to what I should say or do.
Then, if I still see something questionable, I need to go to that person
privately, just the two of us, and tell him/her honestly but calmly what I'm
seeing, ask if this is true. If so, I need to share the scriptures that I
see contradicting this activity. If the person refuses to back down and
examine what I have to say, then I need to bring in at least another person
whom the Lord knows is firmly grounded in the faith, as a witness.
(Actually I don't remember how many people, but it would be a very small
group.) If the wayward person still refuses to repent, then, and only then,
we would need to tell the church. And I agree with what Kathy says, you
criticize, you fix. I pray that God will lead us to do this more often, and
I hope the same is being done with even the big church leaders.
Sharon
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