IYAR 29
Documented Evidence
“And
when a being sins in that he has heard the voice of swearing, and is a WITNESS,
or has SEEN, or has KNOWN, but DOES NOT REVEAL IT, he shall bear his
crookedness.” (Lev 5:1, emphasis mine)
Social media cultivates – like bacteria in a lab environment –
mudslinging, name calling, and ugly, nasty accusations about everyone, and
anyone. As our examples, we have our
‘trash-talking’ leaders in the government, 'tweeting' slander and ridicule 24/7. No one is exempt – not even
our religious leaders and teachers. In
fact, it seems that respected Torah Teachers attract full blown LaShon Hara (evil speech) just by being
Torah Teachers!
Some years ago, I wrote an essay warning against the dangers of engaging
in LaShon Hara, of how our Elohim
detests this type of activity. However,
I was, to some extent, in error myself, and I stand corrected. No, we are not to slander one another, and
be the fuel for the fire of evil speech against another that is made in the
image of Elohim. On the other hand,
according to our opening verse, if we have documented
proof – not circumstantial, or hearsay, but WITNESSED, DOCUMENTED PROOF
- that wrong-doing was done, we are to report it. It is considered a sin if we do not, and the sentence
and punishment of the one engaged in the wrongdoing now comes upon us as well.
The last 30 to 40 years has brought to the surface scandal after
scandal involving those considered as “in the ministry”; we have the likes of
Jim and Tammy Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, and Joel Osteen, just to name a few. They themselves will stand before their
Creator to answer for what they have done; nonetheless, just like a pebble
thrown into a pond, the ripple effect of their transgressions affected
many. For example, the stand that Joel
Osteen has taken concerning homosexuality[1] is
affecting not only the 45,000 members of Lakewood Church, but also those who
watch his broadcasts and read his books, leading them to believe that our
Elohim is not concerned with this open sin.
Again, the ‘ripple effect’.
Hearsay is dangerous; most of the time it is not accurate, which brings
us to the need for documented
evidence and testimony. For those on
social media, this may be somewhat of a problem. We seldom meet those on our ‘friend’ list
face to face, and we are unable to witness firsthand each other’s
lifestyle. Should you find yourself in a
situation where your spiritual antennae are off the chart, please, brethren,
seek further investigation before bringing an accusation. Once you have compiled factual evidence, then begin the steps Elohim desires us
to take.
Our Master gave us detailed instructions as to how we are to deal with
one who is out in left field, so to speak (see Mat 18:15-20). If the ‘left-fielder’, after repeated attempts at communication, is
still insisting on being in the right, and denies any wrongdoing, we are to
bring our documented evidence (NEVER
just circumstantial) before the assembly, and let the assembly make the
decision as to the course of action to be taken concerning this one.
Be very careful here, brothers and sisters. Regardless of the situation you have found
yourself in, we are instructed to always walk
in forgiveness, no exceptions.
Therefore, as you bring your evidence and documentation forward to the
assemblies, please, “do nothing at all through selfishness or self-conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). It is the gentle and kind spirit that we
reveal which will speak loudly to others that are still involved with these
individuals, bringing them out of the “ripple effect”. It is because of these people that we do what we do.
I have been there; more than 20 years ago, my husband and I had our
documented evidence, and we were placed in a position of having to confront
congregation leaders that were scripturally and doctrinally in error. No, it did not go well, and the congregation,
for the most part, sided with the leaders.
We were asked to leave the congregation, which we did. It is unfortunate that these people are still
in leadership of the same congregation, teaching the same lies that they have
always taught. However, judgment belongs
to our Elohim; He will repay, and we
leave it there (see Deu 32:35; Rom 12:19)
“I call upon you therefore, I the prisoner of the Master, to walk
worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all HUMILITY and
MEEKNESS, with PATIENCE, bearing with one another in love, BEING EAGER TO GUARD
THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE -” (Eph 4:1-3, emphasis
mine)
©2021
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