Things New and Old: Is complaining against a preacher's preaching a sin?

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Is complaining against a preacher's preaching a sin?

A tender soul inquired:
"Is complaining against a preacher's preaching a sin?"

---------

Thanks for your question. Let me give you my thoughts.

The Scriptures give these warnings:
- Psalm 105:15 KJV — "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."
- 1 Timothy 5:19 KJV — "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."

So, be careful. However, complaints against a preacher's preaching (i.e. contents, the complainer has issue with what is preached) is vastly different from accusing or harming his person. Make sure the "complaints" are made orderly; otherwise the complainer himself may be censured. Right things must be done the right way.

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV — Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

The Scriptures do require a preacher to be faithful; otherwise he deserves to be censured. An unfaithful preacher ought to be ashamed - his faults of not rightly dividing the word of truth deserves to be made known to him. He needed to be ashamed of himself. So, he needs to be made aware that something is wrong in what he has preached. Even mighty Apollos could use some help from Priscilla and Aquila, privately.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJT
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that *needeth not to be ashamed,* rightly dividing the word of truth.

Acts 18:26 KJT
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

"Complain" to the preacher personally about the issue; no talebearing, neither gossip behind his back. If he listens and receive your complaints, then you have saved him from his error. (But be ready to be shown your own error too!) If he does not listen, bring a witness and repeat the issue. If he still doesn't listen, bring the matter to the church. See Mt 18:15ff.

James 5
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

This includes a preacher, and a complainer of his preaching too; neither is exempted from erring from the truth.

With these said, happy "complaining" to save a preacher from his errors.