Harmony or Conflict?

[Heavenhome]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

Who do you follow, God or the church/organisation? Its got to be God.
I am not saying it lightly because I have come across this too. If you keep quiet to maintain harmony you are then condoning the false teaching. It is really hard but if they refuse to listen then I agree with Brinny and say "wipe the dust off your feet".
God bless you and guide you

 

[Ken Rank]

We have a standard, if we do not have a standard then the door is wide open. Sure there is lack of "perfect" understanding, we are not God. With that being said, we have plenty of instruction in the bible to hold to sound doctrine, to reprove those who do not and to not have fellowship and expose heretics.

Maybe the OP can be more specific to what the issue is. All I can say is I have seen with my own eyes many times the Lord showing someone things, spiritual truths, things in error and if that person chooses to be fearful of men or compromise what they know to be truth just to be in harmony or to maintain some false sense of fellowship they lose their discernment eventually.

I don't disagree... but there is a difference between having a standard and enforcing that standard on others... that is legalism. And I would add this... do you have exactly the same understanding today that you had 5 years ago, or have you grown? Do you expect to exactly where you are now in terms of understanding in 5 years, or do you expect to grow more? The answers, I believe, are obvious... and the connection that should be made from this is that we can have a standard but shouldn't become legalistic and dogmatic about it. Because... we aren't even where we will be!

 

[Myychael]

Both. We are always dealing with the homosexuality issue in this conference of my church. Last I knew, the majority of leaders were giving their blessing to homosexuality.

Dreadnought I have a good friend that is Methodist and really enjoys his worship service and the
Whole nine yards and he was one of The Representing members in the VA area I’m in you all beat that back pretty good a few years ago didn’t you the last conference

 

[Danielwright2311]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

This depends

Are any of them in the church your family or friends? If so I would tell them about the error after church and ask them to fix it.

If it is the preacher and you don't really know him talk to him about it after church in his office or away from others as you don't want to embarrass him or her.

When you do it be nice,, respectful and make sure you have full scripture to prove your point.

 

[jamesbond007]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

Much of what Jesus taught is in Matthew, a prominent book and it is one of the most difficult books to understand.

What are the biggest arguments against what Jesus taught? Sola scriptura? The Magisterium? The justification at Trent? The teachings of Apostle Paul? LGBT issues? Divorced people issues? Others?

Here's an argument on what Paul taught:
"One of the important issues in the early history of the church was the attitude that Christians should have concerning the laws that are recorded in the Old Testament. Paul insisted that salvation is obtained by faith and not by obedience to laws. This insistence led some Christians to believe that whether or not these laws should be obeyed was a matter to be decided by an individual's own conscience. Many Jewish Christians did not agree with this individualistic attitude. The author of the Gospel of Matthew appears to have been one of them. According to his version of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." And he also said, "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven." Some scholars maintain that this last passage directly refers to Paul and his followers. Of this we cannot be sure, but evidently Matthew was far more sympathetic toward the religion of Judaism than was true of other writers. In the story of the Canaanite woman who comes to Jesus imploring help for her daughter, who is possessed by a demon, Jesus says to the woman, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." When the woman responds, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table," Jesus commends her for her faith and heals her daughter."

The Gospel of Matthew

 

[GUANO]

Anything that conflicts with the teachings of Jesus or God is not to be taken in and stifled for the sake of a "Godless false harmony".

It's just cowardice, and indicative of a "fear of man" rather than a "fear of God".

The TRUTH is a "Light" that this world needs.

Let's not cover up that Light or God forbid, snuff it out.

In addition, we might want to examine what Godless "compromise" is.

This is not actually the biblical response. I feel i should point that out or otherwise I'm apparently a coward =)

 

[jamesbond007]

Both. We are always dealing with the homosexuality issue in this conference of my church. Last I knew, the majority of leaders were giving their blessing to homosexuality.

I'm a Methodist, too. Does this mean LGBT clergy and allowing marriage in church? Accepting LGBT members has always been done at my church, but not the latter. I think there is still a majority against it although they are legally entitled to be married.

 

[Wordkeeper]

This will sound like I am directing this at you but this is a general comment. Can we be in harmony with God and be in error at the same time? My answer is yes, most definitely. Why? Because not one of us has been perfected yet and not one of us is perfect in their understanding. Therefore, since we all have error somewhere in our understanding, and yet walk with God in a covenantal relationship... then it isn't only possible, it is obviously the case. That is NOT to say it is ok to have error nor am I condoning sin. I am simply stating the obvious... that until we are perfected by definition we are imperfect. And yet, like David, can still be called "beloved."

If you have a small group, the "perfect" is soon reached. Many believers became mature very quickly, as can be seen from the first few chapters of Acts.

If you have a large group, then arriving at the "perfect" is harder. Factionalism begins, some will be for Apollos, another for Cephas, yet another for Paul.

 

[brinny]

This is not actually the biblical response. I feel i should point that out or otherwise I'm apparently a coward =)

Would you care to elaborate, my friend?

 

[Phil 1:21]

When you do it be nice,, respectful and make sure you have full scripture to prove your point.

And be humble enough to admit you may be wrong.

 

[GUANO]

Would you care to elaborate, my friend?

Sure. Scripture makes it clear that everyone is incorrect and doesn't know God. What 'saves' is your faith (and Jesus) not your doctine. It would be better for you to have cinderblicks tied to your feet and you be cast into the sea than to offend those who exercise childlike faith, which is the most pure... faith covers all these nonsense errors... like those of the 501c3 church whoch is a legal member of the Body of the State and has nothing to do with Christianity.

 

[Danielwright2311]

And be humble enough to admit you may be wrong.

Right,lol.

 

[Wordkeeper]

This depends

Are any of them in the church your family or friends? If so I would tell them about the error after church and ask them to fix it.

If it is the preacher and you don't really know him talk to him about it after church in his office or away from others as you don't want to embarrass him or her.

When you do it be nice,, respectful and make sure you have full scripture to prove your point.

1 Corinthians 3
15If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

It seems like the correction happens in public, with Scripture being used, like a hammer, which breaks even rocks.

It's a reminder to be careful, because we will be held accountable for every careless word we speak.

1 Corinthians 3
17If any one corrupt the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.

 

[brinny]

Sure. Scripture makes it clear that everyone is incorrect and doesn't know God. What 'saves' is your faith (and Jesus) not your doctine. It would be better for you to have cinderblicks tied to your feet and you be cast into the sea than to offend those who exercise childlike faith, which is the most pure... faith covers all these nonsense errors... like those of the 501c3 church whoch is a legal member of the Body of the State and has nothing to do with Christianity.

I'm not so sure we disagree, my friend.

I was referring to what you just posted above, as well.

 

[Danielwright2311]

1 Corinthians 3
15If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

It seems like the correction happens in public, with Scripture being used, like a hammer, which breaks even rocks.

It's a reminder to be careful, because we will be held accountable for every careless word we speak.

1 Corinthians 3
17If any one corrupt the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.

Corinthians was written by Paul. I don't follow Paul I follow Jesus.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

yes.
do everything decently and in order.
speak what the Father says to speak.
do it the way the Father says to , because He says to, not for reasons "man's way" of doing things except as that coincides with God's Word.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

This is not actually the biblical response. I feel i should point that out or otherwise I'm apparently a coward =)

Actually, (I just read that 'response' you quoted) , that response is completely Scriptural.

Yours , on the other hand , ..... well, maybe you are what you don't want to be....

 

[danielmears]

I commented on my blog yesterday The Realm by Daniel Mears on the controversial topic by Andy Stanley at North Point church when he said in a series of sermons entitled, "Aftermath" that the Old Testament should be, "unhitched" from the New. This is simply an example; as long as we give our opinion respectfully and remembering we are to love one another, I believe this can be done. If we are acting in love for God and man, we should be respectfully able to give our point of view. Sometimes this is a delicate balance to maintain without offending someone. There is only one judge.

 

[Andrew Jeremiah]

When a church or religious organization teaches something that conflicts with what Jesus or God taught us, is it better to stand up and speak out against what the church or religious organization is teaching, or is it better to be quiet and maintain harmony?

If you are of the flock in which such teaching conflicts clearly with Scripture don't fret. God does not ultimately allow poison-doctrine infect for long one of His own. He is a jealous God.

Follow Scripture:

Matthew 18:15 (KJV)
15 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.

 

[Myychael]

Dreadnought I have a good friend that is Methodist and really enjoys his worship service and the
Whole nine yards and he was one of The Representing members in the VA area I’m in you all beat that back pretty good a few years ago didn’t you the last conference

Sir the congregation you are serving in or going to how does your congregation as a whole feel about
It especially your Pastor does the Methodist Hiearchy own the land and the building and Pastor? I guess also do you have a say or is leaving your only choice starting over is tough my friend I know.Trust in the LORD and he will guide you.