To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. - Titus 3:2
In this age of technology, when our feelings get hurt it can be all too easy to go to social media websites to voice our opinion. For many of us having mercy or asking: Am I correct in feeling this way? can become an afterthought. Scripture reminds us to examine ourselves first. Judging, criticizing, maligning character, slandering and speaking to tear down another are some of the easiest things to do. Sadly, in the Christianity of our day such unedifying practices are applauded as righteous and discerning. Tearing down has become a ministry preoccupation with many in the blogosphere and Internet in general. It is so easy for one to just spend a few minutes typing at the computer and the result can be devastating.
The defiling of the testimony of a brother who has loved the Lord for many years can happen in minutes when the tongue is uncontrolled. Such correction and criticism usually comes with little or no prayer, and without speaking to the individual himself, while appearing to be very holy on the outside. Yet the fruit produced from many of these types of rebukes, is usually the increase of a critical spirit in others. Of course, there are some brothers who have fasted and prayed, and sought the Lord. There are those who have pleaded with the individual involved and even worked through other brothers and sisters in the local area where that person is located. They have only, as a last resort and plea to this precious brother or sister in the Lord, chosen to post a public warning. Such warnings in love are needed for those who are continuing in sins. It is also Biblical at times to warn the Church of God of others that are clearly false teachers.
