Is it right to criticize a man of God?

[Richie]

I attended a church service one morning while in a different country, the woman speaking said a great un-truth about Jesus, she said that Jesus DIDNT always get things right, He made mistakes. Well it struck my heart deeply, but I went home and it just wouldn't leave my mind.

When I returned to my own country I wrote the lady speaker a letter to let her know my concern over her words, and that Jesus was without spot or blemish, perfect and sinless, He could NOT do or say anything wrong, which she was implying with her words.

Im not sure if this is the same thing that we are discussing here, but I did criticise a 'woman' supposedly of God, I guess, by writing her that letter.

She replied, but would not change her thought pattern, still insisting that Jesus made mistakes.
I had hoped she would understand her error, but I had to leave it with God.

Dear Sister Maureen,

As far as I know, you did not criticize her, but you were following what Jesus told us to do in Matthew 18:15-20.

Jesus told us very clearly, that if anyone has done wrong to us in any way (it could be telling something which could offend you, or telling something which you know for sure is not right, or any other matter), you must privately point out the fault in that person.

I feel that's what you did, exactly. You did your part, you were not successful, just leave it in God's hand, He will make her to realize someday, God does things perfectly and all things work together for the good of those who love God.

God bless you.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

she said that Jesus DIDNT always get things right, He made mistakes. Well it struck my heart deeply, but I went home and it just wouldn't leave my mind.

We need to remember that when Jesus walked the earth, He was fully human as well as fully divine. Hebrews 4:15 says He was tested just as we are tested, but He didn 't sin. When He stubbed His toe, for instance, He was tempted to say the same kinds of words that often fly out of my mouth when that happens to me, but He didn't say them. The thoughts were a human mistake (temptation), but they didn't lead to sin.

Remember also what Paul wrote in Php 2:7, that Jesus "made Himself nothing, taking the very (human) nature of a servant". I believe that, in essence, Paul is saying that Jesus laid aside all His power and prerogatives as God (including His Divine Perfection) and became fully human. He took up those powers and prerogatives when He returmed to the Father.

SLE

 

[Ophel]

Once one has been convinced by the Spirit that a person is a man or woman of God, and anointed to fulfill his or her calling, then it is sin to criticize. The Bible calls that sedition, and murmuring,

It is not a sin to disagree in the hopes of learning the truth of a matter, but critical spirits are not to be given ground when it comes to our spiritual leaders. We must tread very carefully.

1 Chronicles 16:22
“Do not touch my chosen people,
and do not hurt my prophets.”

 

[SpiritLedEd]

We need to be careful about our use of the word criticize. While to criticize, in common usage, means to condemn, its primary definition here should revolve around examining a person's actions or words for purposes of determining whether or not they are scripturally supported. This kind of criticism is not only good, it is commanded in Scripture (see 1 Jn 4:1 and 1 Thess 5: 21).

A title, a pulpit, and a huge Bible do not make a Man (or Woman) of God. That title should only be conferred upon people whose words and actions are always supported by His Word.

SLE

 

[jiggyfly]

We need to remember that when Jesus walked the earth, He was fully human as well as fully divine. Hebrews 4:15 says He was tested just as we are tested, but He didn 't sin. When He stubbed His toe, for instance, He was tempted to say the same kinds of words that often fly out of my mouth when that happens to me, but He didn't say them. The thoughts were a human mistake (temptation), but they didn't lead to sin.

Remember also what Paul wrote in Php 2:7, that Jesus "made Himself nothing, taking the very (human) nature of a servant". I believe that, in essence, Paul is saying that Jesus laid aside all His power and prerogatives as God (including His Divine Perfection) and became fully human. He took up those powers and prerogatives when He returmed to the Father.

SLE

So did or did He not make any mistakes?

 

[jiggyfly]

Once one has been convinced by the Spirit that a person is a man or woman of God, and anointed to fulfill his or her calling, then it is sin to criticize. The Bible calls that sedition, and murmuring,

It is not a sin to disagree in the hopes of learning the truth of a matter, but critical spirits are not to be given ground when it comes to our spiritual leaders. We must tread very carefully.

1 Chronicles 16:22
“Do not touch my chosen people,
and do not hurt my prophets.”

Shouldn't this apply to every believer including those who lead, they are to be examples in every area especially in this area?

Maybe we should start a thread titled "Is it right for a man of God to criticize?"

 

[SpiritLedEd]

So did or did He not make any mistakes?

Being fully human means being prone to making fully human mistakes. He did not make mistakes in His ministry work, however, which was guided by the Spirit.

SLE

 

[A Blessed Man]

The question that I have before you is, "Is it right to criticize another man of God?" Could somebody guide me in this matter about Criticizing another man of God, using bible verses.

But personally I feel that it is wrong to criticize another man of God, because if you criticize, it shows that your not really united (or it shows lack of real love). We should be united under the power of the Holy Spirit, because we are one Body, "The Body of Christ.". Moreover if you don't have love, it is of no use being a Christian.

God bless you.

There are some very good responses alread in this thread. Read with understanding.

What I want to add/emphasize is this: No it is not ok to critisize a man of God. The question is determining if one is truly a man of God. There are many preachers out there who are "in it for themselves." They are not men of God.

Men of God are appointed by God to further His kingdom in a leadership role over a flock, whether that be as a pastor, teacher, evangelist, etc. They lead; and they point to Jesus and Jesus alone.

 

[servoguy]

Publish it not in the streets of Askelon

Here is a scripture that talks about hanging your dirty laundry in public:

2Sam.1

[20] Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

We are not to publicly criticize God's people.

1Chr.16

[22] Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Pss.105

[15] Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

In case you are wondering what happens to those who touch God's anointed, here is one example:

2Kgs.2

[24] And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

God Bless
Bruce

 

[Richie]

Well apparently I've been seeing a lot of interesting things happen in the church especially during the past few years, lots of big time preachers and worship leaders falling, failing morally, scams coming into the light.

I guess we also need to judge them by their fruits right??? I guess we should be careful. But I would say its better not to condemn them even if things about a particular preacher are clearly evident. We need to be aware of false teachings and keep away from them.

 

[squidget]

every mans works will be judged. the "churches" will be judged here on earth before the final days.
there will allways be "skeletons" in mans closet as none but GOD is good. thats why JESUS came for us and the us is all mankind.
it is our heart that shows fruits not our fruits that show out heart , you see the grfest ornriest person outside may stil have the heart GOD is looking for , men and women "fall" because of one simple reason. somehow they were elevated to a pedestool either by themselves or by others its not the fall or prior that shows if their a GOD fearing person or not its how or if they pick themselves up after this fall, see im not sure about others bibles but the translations i have here still contain 1 john 1-9 in them. GOD forgives if we ask yet men donot they just want to keep the wounds open.

by all means judge the fruits of a man of GOD, but remember everyone that professes to be CHRISTS is a man of GOD

 

[Ophel]

We must be wise fruit inspectors. No all who profess Christ are His. There are always those with a false profession among us---tares among the wheat.

Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

 

[Richie]

We must be wise fruit inspectors. No all who profess Christ are His. There are always those with a false profession among us---tares among the wheat.

Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

I do agree with what you had to point out. It is sad and scary to think of the fate of so many people who will wind up like this. To support what you had to say; I would like to add up a little bit more and I guess that would be enough:

Matthew 20:16: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

2 Peter Ch 2: is all about the characteristics of false teachers.

Paul the apostle talks about false teachers in 2 Corinthians 11.

2 Corinthians 11:13 - 15:

Vs 13 These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

Vs 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.

Vs 15 So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

We need to watch out carefully, and it is only the Lord who can graciously guide us and lead us away from false teachings.