Last week I re-discovered this note in our leadership minutes: "N. [a deaconess] said that Thomas [that's me] should not enter a hazardous situation alone, ever again. Thomas said he promised that he would not, and he could see his mistake. At the same time, he said, it was sometimes difficult to predict what would be a hazardous situation, or to realise soon enough that one had got into one." OBSERVATION: The problem here was slander which arose from a situation to which there were no witnesses. I have a rule -- which in this case I broke. If you even suspect that you could be facing a volatile or hostile situation, do not on any account enter it alone.
Monday, November 30, 2009
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6 comments:
Hi there,
Couldn't agree more with your deaconess.
2 Corinthians 13:1 springs to mind, "This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES."
And it's a well established principle. Check out Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:15; John 8:14; 1 Timothy 5:19 and Hebrews 10:28.
1 Tim 5:19 applies especially to elders/pastors. That's the principle. But then there's the reality. Say some big shot, who holds great sway, decides to take out the pastor with pure fabrications. There are no witnesses. But this is a big shot. You suggest that this big shot should have witnesses. He says what? Are you doubting the truth of what I say? He pulls out all the stops. He uses every connection. And so on. All hypothetical mind you. ;-)
Thomas,
You have a really fascinating ministry.
Scripture holds a direct response in 1 Timothy 5:19, "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses."
Bottom line is don't lose sleep over it. Oh, and also, a bit of persecution is a very good thing :).
Um, maybe I should read with a little more insight before pressing the submit button?
Anyhow, the point is made. By both of us :).
With regard to "Do not receive an accusation ..." the force of circumstance may be greater. Say someone is set on slander. Say they call up a few deacons, in each case with the words: "A true Christian will hear both sides ..." The deacons are caught off guard. Before you know it, you have "a situation". You need to have very strong and quick-witted deacons for them to say, "Listen, stop right there. 1 Timothy 5:19 applies ..." Not to speak of them being able to sleep soundly (or not) after that. By nature, very few people are like that. There's good reason why that verse is in the Bible, as one might say of every verse. Yet it's seldom that easy when it comes to the reality. I believe, though, that God Himself ultimately vindicates one. It can't be done (or so I think) through human conniving, scheming, or power.
I hate that this present life is so corrupted by sin. Even us who wish to do good are up to our necks in it. Infected and affected.
Praise the Lord for Romans 7:24 - 25.
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