Ephesians 4:29Ephesians 4:29
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to...: or, to edify profitably  

WP-Bible plugin Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

I have found that Christian bloggers and their readers are usually quite zealous when it comes to the wolves who are abusing, misleading and otherwise trying to destroy the sheep — as we should be. On the Web sites I visit, the authors usually use the Holy Scriptures to support their writing — to show that it is the Holy Word of GOD that we believe, and not some ‘theology or philosophy of man.’ The thing that troubles my spirit is when I come across crass comments and name calling, in this case from both bloggers and readers.

It is disappointing and frustrating when those calling themselves Christians don’t bear fruit or use discernment when interpreting the Holy Scriptures — or even test the spirits and every word that comes forth from others’ mouths. But how are we to correct them — with condemning words and name calling? How are we to encourage them to seek the LORD in Spirit and Truth? Definitely not by making them feel less worthy… for which of us is truly worthy?

I have read a post in which a blogger uses the term ‘it’ to refer to a transsexual. We may say we don’t know what to call ‘them,’ but would our LORD Jesus Christ call a human being ‘it?’ As cheesy as it may sound, I’m going to ask — what would Jesus say? And because a Christian is immature or undiscerning, does that make him/her our enemy? Do any of us know which names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Can any of us say who will and will not worship the LORD Jesus Christ before HIS throne?

Undoubtedly, some of us are thinking in defense, ‘Well Jesus called the Pharisees all kinds of names.’ Yes, that’s true. The LORD Jesus Christ called the Pharisees ‘hypocrites,’ ‘vipers,’ ‘whitewashed tombs.’ But why did our LORD use such harsh words for these ‘leading religious leaders’ — the same reason why many us shout out against today’s ‘leading religious leaders.’

In Matthew 23:27-28Matthew 23:27-28
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.  

WP-Bible plugin, we read 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

We, the sheep, often times need guidance, and before we join the Flock, are we not ignorant of the things concerning Salvation through Jesus Christ and living a holy life before the LORD our GOD? So the ones who take it upon themselves to be our teachers, preachers and guides had better be giving us the True Word. But, as we know, churches today are rife with ‘whitewashed tombs’ who are leading men away from the True Gospel. Churches today are full of hypocritical and lawless men and women who know what they are doing — as it was since the Gospel started being preached. And, yes, even some of these hypocrites the LORD Jesus Christ may save if they truly repent (isn’t the LORD our GOD merciful?).

So that is why I believe the LORD Jesus Christ saved HIS harshest words for those who appeared to be the worst of the people — those whom the laymen were depending on to lead them in Truth before the LORD our GOD. So what of the people who looked to these ‘leading religious leaders’ — were they dumb and stupid? As HE was dying on the cross, the LORD Jesus Christ still spoke words of kindness and asked that those who facilitated HIS death be forgiven by the FATHER.

And what do we make of Matthew 5:21-22Matthew 5:21-22
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: by: or, to ²² But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Raca: that is, Vain fellow  

WP-Bible plugin – “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. …”

What are we instructed in Colossians 3:12-17Colossians 3:12-17
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. quarrel: or, complaint ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  

WP-Bible plugin – 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Body of Jesus Christ are made up of various people, nations and tongues — and each one’s walk with our LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ is different. We are not all called at the same age, time or place. Who among us was not walking in downright ignorance and/or rebellion before we yeiled to the LORD Jesus Christ? Would it have helped if those who were trying to lead us to the Way, Truth and Light called us ’stupid’ or ‘dumb’ when when we refused to believe? Is calling a person confused about their sexuality ‘it’ going to help them embrace the Gospel? In fact, knowing that you, one who calls him/herself a Christian would speak as the unrepentant and unsaved speak… may very well cause one to despise the LORD — for look at those who claim to represent HIM!

2 Thessalonians 3:10-152 Thessalonians 3:10-15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ¹³ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. be...: or, faint not ¹⁴ And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. by...: or, signify that man by an epistle ¹⁵ Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.  

WP-Bible plugin 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Love (compassion) is supposedly the biggest evidence of regeneration, and the Great Commission is to teach the Gospel Truth of Salvation through Jesus Christ. How is this accomplished with name calling?

And, of course I speak from personal experience. The LORD chastens those whom HE loves. If the ’silly’ sheep refuse to hear sound doctrine every day we try to make them aware of how off course they are until the day we or they die — is it our burden/work or the LORD’s? We are instructed to teach and share the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ and to warn — but how can we possibly convert. Save the name-calling for Satan.