To Stir or Not to Stir

I will not mention his name.  I was approached by someone at church about a very well-known Bible teacher on the radio who said it was wrong to go up to people at church and ask them if they have been reading the Bible or praying.  We encourage this at church and the person was confused, especially because of the respect factor for this Bible teacher.  Now, I did not hear the message and cannot find what broadcast it was to double check it.  Because of that, I am not using his name.  I don't want to start a fight based on wrong information.

However, IF the information was passed on to me correctly and the statement is accurate, is it wrong to walk up to someone at church and ask questions about their spiritual disciplines?  Let me back track.  The given reason as to why this is wrong to do is because, according to this Bible teacher, Bible ask the question out of arrogance and a desire to put people down rather than build them up.  I will concede that point.  I am sure there is an abundance of people who want to boast of their own spiritual disciplines and ask others about what they do in an effort to make themselves look more spiritual.  However, does that make asking the question in and of itself wrong?  I could make an argument, following that line of reasoning, that because some preachers do what they do to make a name for themselves and get rich, then nobody should preach.  That doesn't make any sense.  Just because there is abuse, that does not make non-use the proper response.  The proper response to do what the Bible says to do.

What does the Bible tell us to do?  It calls us to encourage one another daily.  It calls us to stir one another up.  It says that iron sharpen iron.  Now, how do we do such things?  Certainly, these types of verses are not a mandate to ask someone about their daily Bible reading habits.  However, asking that of people could certainly be considered to fall under the umbrella of applying those verses.

When I go to the dentist, he asks me if I brush my teeth and floss daily.  He asks me if I am drinking a lot of soda and eating candy.  I get that.  He is in the business of caring for my teeth.  Even though the questions may make me uncomfortable with conviction at times, I wouldn't expect anything less from him.  When I go to the doctor, he asks if I am eating right and exercising. I get that.  He is in the business of caring for my health.   Even though the questions may make me uncomfortable with conviction at times, I wouldn't expect anything less from him.

As believers, we are to care for the spiritual health of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sure, some go about it the wrong way or with wrong motives.  But, when we gather as followers of Jesus  - people who want to be spiritually healthy, why do we recoil when someone asks us a simple question like, "Have you been reading God's Word this week?"  Shouldn't we expect that to be asked?  Shouldn't we want that to be asked?

When I brush take good care of my teeth, I do not flinch when the dentist asks me about my brushing, flossing and eating habits.  When I am eating right and exercising, I do not flinch when my doctor asks about those things.  The only time I break a sweat is when I have not been doing so good and I feel guilty.  But that guilt is not a bad thing.  It is good.  I recognize that I have not been doing what I need to do for my health, and it motivates me to not feel this way the next time I sit in their respective offices.

If we are reading God's Word, we shouldn't flinch when someone asks us if we are.  The only time we hate the question is when we hate our honest answer.  We hate feeling guilty, so we hate the one who brought on the guilt rather than being motivated to make the necessary changes in our lives.  

Are You Offended?

Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is offended these days?  It would seem that nothing can be said or done without someone being hurt or offended in some way, shape or form.  Well, it is not my intention to dig into the offense felt by those who do not know Christ.  My concern here is the offense being taken by professing Christians.  It appears to me that the culture of "I'm offended" has penetrated into the realm of Christianity.  In fact, this post may offend some Christian somewhere.

As a Christian, have you ever been offended?  I'm not talking about being offended by someone who takes God's name in vain, or offended by the content of TV shows and movies.  I am not talking about being offended by something that some singer has said or done.  I'm not talking about being offended by the latest anti-Christian slur slung by a liberal cable news anchor.  I am talking about being offended by a fellow believer.

Are you offended when another believer asks you if you've been praying and reading the Bible lately?  "Who does he think he is to ask me that?"  Have you ever been offended when a preacher went on a rant about something you love dearly - watching TV, going to the movies, listening to secular music, etc.?  Or maybe you have been offended by someone who didn't go out of there way to greet you at church last Sunday.  Maybe someone forgot to wish you a happy birthday.  Maybe it's been too long since someone has called to see how you were doing.  Maybe someone wasn't there for you when you needed a shoulder to cry on.

Why do we feel offended?  You may be offended by this, but isn't it because you feel like you deserved to be treated differently?  Maybe you have a point.  Perhaps you should have been treated better.  However, when we are offended, isn't it because our pride has been assaulted in some way?  One would be hard pressed to read Scripture and not realize that pride is not a good thing.  In fact, we should consider ourselves crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).  If we are "dead," can we still be offended?  The deceased feel no offense.

So, the next time you feel offended, what should you do?  First of all, don't take yourself so seriously.  You felt offended because you feel you deserved something better.  Realize that we deserve nothing from anyone.  Anything we have from God or others is all grace.  Show the same mercy and grace to those who have offended you, remembering that you have probably unknowingly offended many yourself.

Second, forgive that person before the Lord.  Living with bitterness will only destroy you and damage your relationship with that other person.  Life is too short, and no whatever they did is not worth that price.

Third, if the offensive act was serious, or sinful, take the counsel of Matthew 18 and go to that person and talk it out.  Yes, we would rather wallow in a pool of self-pity and resentment, but that is not what the Bible calls us to do.  Odds are, they have no idea that they hurt you.  If you go to them, your relationship may be stronger in the end.  A relationship with any brother or sister in Christ is worth fighting for.  Don't let bitterness destroy it.

I know the world is encouraging us to be offended.  Let's not follow their pattern.  Let's be people of mercy, grace, and forgiveness.