What should Christians do if they know or think that another Christian has given a false witness?
August 19th, 2008 Posted in Christian, Jesus, disciples, judging, witnessThis is a difficult question. On the one hand we want to be defenders of the faith; if we know that by their words or actions somebody is misrepresenting the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we want to go in and correct their “evil ways”. On the other hand there are so many flavours of Christianity that who is to say who is correct on any given issue.Fortunately (though maybe it’s unfortunately with this particular question in mind) Christianity, contra to popular belief, is not about a collection of rules and there are very few black and white issues.
So who is to say who is right? The world looks on at Christian communities and churches and sees a bunch of people who are divided against themselves. A group of people who are more concerned with what separates them rather than what unites them. Whatever damage a false witness may cause, a solution which leads to division and disunity among God’s people is not a good one.
This sounds a little bit like I am avoiding the question. *smile*
What did Jesus have to say on such issues?
- Remove the plank from your own eye before you look at the spec in someone else’s eye! (Matthew 7: 1-5)
- Let God deal with them as you don’t want to get it wrong and be fighting against God. (Acts 5: 29-39 - Maybe read the chapter to give a bit of context to this excerpt.)
- How will people know that you are my disciples? By how you love one another! (John 13: 34-35)
All good advice but what does it mean in a practical way in this context.
- Pray, for yourself, that you have clarity on the issue. Then pray for individual in question that they will be prompted by the Holy Spirit.
- Talk to them; quietly, personally, without making a scene or a big fuss. Ask about what they doing / saying and ask them to explain how it is compatible with a relationship with Jesus Christ.
- If you still disagree explain your point of view.
- If you still don’t agree, leave them to it.
Ultimately Jesus was always interested in the individuals far more than what they were doing or saying. The classic ‘Christian’ line, hate the sin, love the sinner holds some water in this instance. Let’s love each other, focus on what unites us, and let God worry about the rest.
2 Responses to “What should Christians do if they know or think that another Christian has given a false witness?”
By victim of false witness on Aug 21, 2008
I think you have miss interpreted the ?.
What to do if someones life is affected so much by anothers lies? In that their whole life is damaged by the lie. Their relationships, their work, their place in society, everything is being robbed due to this other persons sin and lies. False witness can be about anyone making a lie or not telling the truth in many varing degrees not only about our witness of the Word.
What are Gods instructions when someone does this and they claim to be a Christian. e.g Joseph was falsely accused and his life in prison, because the wife of his boss lied and gave a false witness about him. We know the the outcome of Josephs life, but in this day, it would go before a court of law. the persons would give their witness true or false on oath before God, Judge , jury and society.
By sara on Aug 31, 2008
If Joseph was falsely accused in todays society he would not of been able to have the job he had. He would have his name writern on the sex offenders register and all that intailes. He would be unable to raise a child without its name being on the at risk register and social services intervention. He would not have many job options because of his C.V and would have his and his familys life affected in many ways. But in the midst of this God would be with him and this is a statement in its self, that no matter who thinks what God is saying it all, because God was with him those who knew God could see that he was innocent from the acusations made against him and that he had Gods blessing over him. Isaiah 54. “But in that comming day no weapon turned againt you shall prosper and you will have justice against every courtroom lie”.