This past week I have had a rather uncomfortable and rather negative encounter with a fellow Christian who is in authority at our local church.
Without going into details, I have been reprimanded for watching Eddie Murphy, Raw, standup comedy routine. If you haven't seen it and you don't know what its about click here for a mini summary. The content is very Adult content with crude language. The problems they had with my choice of entertainment is listed here with the scripture to back up their points:
Scripture: James 3:11 “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”
EGW/ Others: By beholding we become changed - (from various complilations- Christian Cliche)
Scripture: Phillipians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
The questions I have are:
2) When is a Christian gone to far in relaying thier personal beliefs to someone they feel is doing wrong? Are they ever justified? WHERE IS THAT LINE?!?
3) Is cursing a sin? or being crude sinful?
I’m not really sure how I feel about Christians pointing out other Christian's perceived sins? I’m personally don't see a situation where I would tell someone what I thought about their "sins" unless they asked me my opinion, or if we were very close and taking such liberties would not be attributed to nosiness. One exception to my listed theory is if the "sin" was putting their life or someone else’s life in immediate danger. And I definitely don't want to violate the Biblical warning by Jesus regarding judging others:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
