When we find someone believing a lie, what do we do? When someone is going astray, what do we do? Most times, we prefer to say or do nothing. We don't like to interfere. We don't want to be thought of someone who is condemning or legal, so we keep quiet. We don’t want people to think negatively about us.
But is this what God wants us to do? Proverbs 28:4 says: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them." The Hebrew word for "contend" is “garah” and means "to meddle, to stir up." In other words, stir up the pot!
Is it loving to leave someone in deception? Is it loving to not seek to rescue someone who is going in the wrong direction? (Read Jude 23). How can we change society if we stay silent? God wants us to invade society with His truth. He wants His people to show the way. He wants us to shine His light into the darkness, not hide our light (Matthew 5:13-16).
This doesn't mean we become condemning. A great way to challenge people's thinking is to ask them questions. Ask them why they think the way they do. Ask them why they do this thing. Ask them about their worldview. Christian and non-Christians are constantly bombarded with a secular and humanistic worldview. We have a responsibility to redirect their thinking back to God's way.
Jude 1:3 exhorts us to “earnestly contend for the faith.” And of course, our first accountability is to our children. We must constantly seek to keep them in the truth.
Don't hide your light. And don't forget to smile at people when you confront them.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell