I do quite a bit of browsing on the internet in the course of looking for both
business -related information and for personal spiritual tools. In my search,
I have come across an unfortunate number of websites which make personal
attacks on particular Christian ministries. Many are vicious,judgmental,
self-righteous and downright mean -spirited.
This would not be so bad if these so-called "online exposes" came from
the unsaved, as believers expect such condemnation from those who
do not know or serve God. However, the majority of such websites I have
come across are produced and sanctioned by other CHRISTIANS.
For some reason, these folks have a particular affinity to what they
term as "The Faith Movement" and any well-known pastors or ministries
who are "faith" preachers. They regularly criticize, berate and denounce
men of God, such as Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland,Rod Parsley
and many other ministers who have helped bring millions to salvation.
These sites commit the worse form of slander against these ministers.
What IS "slander?". According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the
term "slander " is defined as “malicious talk; to spread damaging in-
formation; to defame; to speak ill of.”
What does the Bible say about slander?
Romans 1:28
"“Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to
retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind,
to do what ought not to be done.
1:29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil,
greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and
malice. They are gossips,
1:30 Slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful;
they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
1:31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those
who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to
do these things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear."
Proverbs 21:23
"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles. "
Proverbs 6: 12-15
"A worthless person, a wicked man,
Walks with a perverse mouth;
He winks with his eyes,
He shuffles his feet,
He points with his fingers;
Perversity is in his heart,
He devises evil continually,
He sows discord.
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly;
Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. "
Matthew 12: 36,37
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will
give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words
you will be condemned."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is
good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. "
The Word is very clear on how God regards speaking evil against
others. These websites targeting Christian ministries and ministers
by name are done under the guise of "warning" fellow believers to
avoid these ministries. The webmasters have assumed only their
opinion is righteous and are bent on influencing others of the same.
In the process, much damage is done due to less informed visitors
to these sites taking what is on them as truth, without bothering to
find out facts on their own. Since these critics use all kinds of spiritual
tag-words and phrases,it is assumed by some that they MUST be "right",
so some very worthy ministries are blown off because of being
denigrated on these so-called " Christian apologetics" websites.
Am I saying all Christian preachers are always right about everything?
Of course not. But I think it would be safe to assume that most of
their detractors have never gone face-to-face or directly spoken with
those they are disparaging. If they sincerely have issues with a certain
minister regarding his or her beliefs or tenets, why not approach that
person directly, in love? No, they prefer to build websites that influence
their readers negatively and bring hurt to those ministries they do not
agree with. There is nothing constructive or edifying in expressing such
injurious remarks in a public forum to others.
In particular, remember that many unbelievers come to Christian
sites out of curiosity and many are already skeptical. What
messages do these websites send out to people who do not
know Christ? Why would they want to be a part of any so-called
religion whose members are so hateful to one another?
If you are an operator or supporter of one these sorts of websites,
I encourage you to repent.
When you post judgmental diatribes against men of God, you
are blatantly disregarding this Biblical mandate.
If you believe someone is in error, contact that individual directly. If
you are able to reach them and still do not agree with them, then
PRAY for them and let GOD do the correcting. That is what a person
full of the love of Christ does. Also, pray for YOURSELF in case
it is YOU who is the person in error.
Finally, let those of us who are believers in the Lord bear in mind
that we have literally millions of folks on the internet each day.
What we say and how we conduct ourselves online can affect
someone's decision to accept Christ or at least can plant a seed
in their hearts.
Therefore, let us stand as one, united in our efforts to lift up Jesus
before the world in these last days, not put down our brethren.
