Touch Not!

One of our readers rendered the following question:

"I have a question for you what is the boundary that we should not cross when it comes to opposing those who are false teachers and false prophets? I know that 1 Corinthains 5:9-13 tells us to judge those who claim to be save but don't live the life. But many have told me that we shouldn't call out names because we are touching the men of God. But I am a man of God too, and I refuse to sit back and allow this false teachers to preach and teach a lie and cause many to fall into spiritual death. I really need some direction in this area....Can you please help?"

I want to thank Minister Brandon for his question. Please note that this type of question is not new to this site and others who point out specific ridiculousness, sins and heresy of various teachers and supposed preachers within the body of Christ. I want to make a few notes and open it up to all readers (pro or con) for further commentary. I think there are a few different guidelines to remember when doing pointing out sins and heresy in today's church:

To Talk Or Not To Talk?

1- All things must be done in the fear and admonition of the Lord. God is real, HIS people are important (from greatest to least) and they deserve leadership and direction that will help lead them to the cross instead of away from truth. Even though each individual has responsibility for their spiritual condition, leadership can cause people to go astray, suffer and possibly be lost.

Isaiah 9:16 ~ "For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err; and [they that are] led of them [are] destroyed."

Some regard Jesus words as an encouragement to leave those leaders and followers to their own ends: 

Matthew 15:14 ~ "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

However, we must stop and ask the question, does Jesus want people to fall into a ditch? Didn't he do everything he could do to save us from the ditch of sin?. Ie: The words of Jesus weren't fatalistic nor do they encourage leaving the ungodly to their own means nor allowing followers, people who want to do right, to simply be subject to false teachers, teaching and being flat out bamboozled. The path of the Lord must be made plain and laid straight.

No Need To Exaggerate

2- The intent of correction must be to never to cast aspersions or unfounded allegations. There is no pride regarding pointing out sins and apostate teachings of false leaders and individuals. First,  remember however that there is much misinformation in the internet and some of it is carried by those who are otherwise considered credible sources. Example, if you listen to some radicals supposedly bringing correction to the body of Christ, every gospel singer is either unsaved or a homosexual and every media preacher is in the same condition. Common sense says that that can't be a fact, but, truth is that far too many of them are in that or a similar condition.

I simply say, since we're in the age of video camera, 3 and 4 G phones, instant messaging etc, there should easily be something tangible to support allegations of improprietous living and ungodliness, because sin has a nature that cannot be contained. Revealing what is said can be easy because so many false teachers want to either be on camera or tape spreading their lies, but suggestions toward lifestyle can also be captured if it really is the case that people are living and promoting ungodliness. IE: If someone is wrong, it will be openly seen and revealed...let the evidence speak for itself even if it needs to be contextualized.

Prov. 6:16-19 ~ "16-These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17- A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18- An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  19- A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

No Need To Fear

3- Don't be afraid because a "spade" must be called a "spade" and holiness must be outlined plainly and clearly. It is the silence of individuals that allows sin to proliferate. As I posted previously, here are simply a few of those who thought they could use the "silence" of the godly to continue and promote their sins, but were sadly mistaken.

The Wall Of Perverted Shame & Godly Justice

Let's remember for a minute what we have witnessed in recent history:

 Terry "The Freak" Hornbuckle:

Once supposedly having a dynamic and growing ministry up to about 4,000 members, but shaming the Lord, his family and the community by date raping young ladies in the church and finding a way to molest his way to 20 years in prison...Should the Saints not have "touched" this subject?  Yes, he claimed to be the "anointed" of God too.

Sherman "Spanky Was Never COGIC" Allen:

Better known as "Rev. Spanky" by those who knew of his ways for years prior to his exposure. This preacher only preached for the most popular preachers and Bishops and until his exposure was on his way to a Bishopric position...This meant trust and access of and to all the young girls he could gain. God stopped him in his tracks and although he still has some support in some circles, he has been exposed for the sins which he committed. Was silence golden for those who were mentally damaged by this ministers perverted acts? Remember, he too, claimed to be "the anointed of God"

"The Chief Apostate" Jim Jones:

Jim, was a special ungodly and demon filled character. He lived under secrecy. His first admonition to the people was to convince them that only "he" had the keys to the kingdom and knew the way of the Lord. Told them that they didn't need their bibles and should only listen to him for all information that they wanted to know. He would go on to rape and molest countless of mostly black folk that followed him, even though he was a white man, would convince countless black that all other white men were racists, and ultimately be responsible for the mass suicide and murder of over 914 people in the heat of Guyana in a place that he names "Jonestown". In this singular event he claimed more black lives than any white supremacist leader in the United States in a singular event. Remember, he also claimed to be the "anointed" of the Lord and even claimed to be God himself.

Can someone explain to me, why "silence" would be the path of the Lord in this case? I mean sounding the alarm and warning the people could have saved countless lives and families. Once thing is sure, this demon will burn in the lowest part of hell. 

Evangelist Tony "Touch Not My Anointed" Leyva:

This pervert was raised into his perversion,  teaching young boys that the performance of oral sex on one another was "God's special way to show one another love" Of course he assumed that he should continue and spread his lies to as many children and young people as he could. He and his gang of freaks were found guilty of the largest child prostitution ring in United States history claiming that he molested over 100 boys personally and was directly responsible for the molestation of over 700 young boys. An additional problem is that his clients, the people he took the boys to for sexual perversion, were mostly preachers and church folk, many of whom were never caught or brought to justice until this day. I personally became aware of this preacher and his ministry in the early 80's, and always used to wonder why he choked up and coughed when he preached. I though it was a cold or sinus problem...little did I know it was all those devils and demons that were choking him as he was trying to preach on top of all that sin.  Now, how many mothers, that took their children to this man, would have done better to actually listen to their sons as they expressed fear of being in his presence, instead of telling them that Tony was "an awesome mand of God"? SILENCE certainly wasn't golden. 

Bishop Frederick "Don't Wake Me Up Now" Kelley

The sad thing is that family members are left to the shame of what these characters do and perform in secrecy. Mr. Kelley claimed that he was "sleep-walking", but his sleep-walking ways would only lead him to molest his adopted daughters and young ladies that he was trying to help bring moral and social values to. I'm sure there were more than a few "the devil's fightin' the ministry" comments while this preacher used his position, place and simulated anointing to subdue the children who's lives he messed up. Y'u-know the other phrase that went along with this don't you? Here it is, "Pray for your leader, don't talk about him." not questioning and talking about him and finding out the truth made every one, that simply shrugged this off, just as guilty as as the sleep-walking, molesting bishop. How about that? Saints who value the word, indirectly responsible for the rape of children by being afraid to call the Bishop into accountability...WOW! 

Then we can't forget the improprieties and sins of the Catholic Church. They are far too many to name in this article and we certainly don't want to even start with what the Pope knew or didn't know...For example here hails

Wallace "If I Hide In Harlem, They Won't Find Me" Harris

The highest ranking Black Cleric in the Archdiocese was a former Harlem pastor that helped coordinate the appearance of the Pope, but was also one, who according to a victim, a retired NY Police Officer, that not only molested him, but also molested at least 9 other young men while at the same time supposedly helping and serving the community. How many kept silent about the "father's" actions and actually assisted and fueled this freaks molestations by their silence? If there are 9, I'm sure there are many more.

Simply look at the list of those who the church said, "Touch Not" to some extent about. The non-believer is looking and seeing a shambles of a mess. Instead of an example that should draw all men., they are witnessing "freaks" that use their position as a method and means to steal sex and perversion whenever they can.

Luke 12:1-5 ~ "1-In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2- For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3-Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4- And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5- But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."

Conclusion & Popular Objections
 
Within the church, people can sometimes sit silently while men such as these laud over them, collect tithes, and continue perverted liaisons with practicing and unrepentant prostitutes who've traded the street corner or red light room for a specific church pew on reserve for the leader or chief musician who'll gladly pay expenses to cover their sins and crimes. Then there are others who have no remorse for what they have done to the innocent, but continue to place their desire for sex, selfishness and lust for money and associations at the top of the food chain, using all who get in their way for their own purposes.  
 
What will the church do? Should it pretend that these problems don't exist? What happens when silence equals approval? So in essence, Saints who love and fear God so much that they would never do such things could be a partaker of another's sins and vicariously responsible for the sins and perversions of others through silence and endorsement through giving and faithful attendance. Isn't that shocking?
 
I'll conclude with about 10 popular objections that I hear regarding talking about such situations. Let me know if you've heard of others and most importantly let's deal with them as to why they are biblically invalid. Let's provide Minister Brandon with some good, godly and biblical information... 
 
1- You can't talk and pray at the same time. 
2- Just pray, God will handle his business.
3- The preacher is God's man, let HIM handle that, God might get you for that.
4- Nobody's perfect but Jesus. You're just judgin'.
5- You shame the church when you bring things like this out.
6- We shouldn't focus on the negative, only talk about the positive.
7- Talking about these things makes you a negative person.
8- Stop reading certain internet websites, they'll cloud your mind and clutter your spirit.
9- Love covers the multitude of fault and sins.
10- Be careful, because you'll be judged just like you judgin' others.
 
Blessed!

Helpful Articles Regarding This Subject

Clergy Sexual Sins Pt. 1

Clergy Sexual Sins Pt. 2

Have You Been A Victim Of CSM?