We are called not only to applaud the right but to address the wrong

It’s so easy to praise people, and like many I’m sure, I sometimes need to remind myself not to go over the top.

But one thing we don’t do well—especially in Christian circles—is gently and graciously highlight the wrong.

I have to make a concession here.  Having worked for so many years in organisational management before entering ministry in earnest, I’ve been shocked as to the culture in many Christian settings.

A culture of silence.  Yes, that’s right.

A wrong is committed, a person is abused, a mistake is made, and what often follows it is silence.  We seem to have fallen for the lie that us Christians need to be happy clappy souls with only praise on our lips.  Or, more insidiously, we contend with powerful personalities who don’t appreciate our truth.  I’ve seen this so many times.  A “detractor” paints themselves quickly into a corner.

The culture of silence has affected us, and it’s affected so many we have come to know and love as dear friends.  How is it that we’re allowed to speak about what’s going well, but we’re not allowed to speak about what’s wrong, evil or abusive.  I know that in the world of business, you NEED to be able to think critically (which is different to being critical).  But it’s not appreciated in so many faith circles.  And yet in faith circles we have the additional obligation that we’re serving a holy God!  We’re not just bound by the Law but by a superior morality.

Diane Langberg says, “Wrongdoing is never the path to right ends.  The way of death never leads to life.”  So, how do we as churches respond to that?  It’s often the case that fear of repercussions prevents us from speaking light into situations.  I know personally how much of a risk that is.  I’ve experienced more than one loss because of it.

Shouldn’t it be a red flag of warning to us that we feel we can’t be honest; that we fear our honesty could be punished?

It takes a great deal of courage to say what needs to be said; to trust one’s discernment of issues and to love people with the truth.

We are called not only to applaud the right but to address the wrong.  Indeed, as I often say, our relationships can’t survive and grow unless we learn to do conflict well.

We have to learn how to embrace what makes us uncomfortable, trusting people’s motives, and trusting God ultimately that good can come from conflict.

We cannot perpetuate the things of death as we proclaim the things of life.