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.