If You See Something, Say Something Part One: In the Local Congregation

“If you see something, say something.” This was the advice of the Department of Homeland Security after the events of September 11, 2001. This national campaign was launched to empower ordinary American citizens to report suspicious actions, packages, etc., in the hope of preventing another terror attack. Perhaps we could consider this as New Testament Christians. There are times when we make observations of the behavior of brethren, and we are left to decide what to do with what we have observed. While the government's campaign encouraged immediate reporting of suspicious behaviors, God requires the Christian to discern the situation and whether they should speak and to whom.

Keep It To Yourself

I suppose some might keep it to themselves. If it is not defined as sin, then perhaps we ought to consider that we might be making something out of nothing. I know people who get upset over perceived slights, which were simply misunderstood words. I know of others who show grace to one another and realize that they do not have perfect knowledge of every situation. The Bible teaches us that this silence is valuable at times. “He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter” (Pro 11:13). So one must ask the question: what am I doing with the information I have? If it is for talebearing (i.e. gossip), you can stifle your speech. The proverb does not teach concealing sin (we must expose sin, cf. Eph 5:11), but rather, concealing unconfirmed or private matters that are on a need-to-know basis. The practice of the faithful is to conceal a matter. We have to be able to practice good judgment. If it's not sinful, and I perhaps misinterpreted a look, I should hold my peace and certainly not go and tell others. 

I am reminded of Job’s friends. They sat with him for a week as Job mourned his loss and his own suffering. This was the best thing they did throughout the book. When they opened their mouths, they disparaged Job. They made assumptions and tore down a man who was blameless before God (cf. Job 1:1,8; 2:3). They may have said some correct things concerning God and His justice at points, but they misapplied those judgments to Job. If we are tempted to hurl charges without true evidence, then we too need to hold our peace, lest we sow the folly of Job’s friends. 

Talk to The Person in Particular, and Then Others (If Necessary)

If it is a case of a sin, Jesus made it very clear what a Christian must do. When a brother sins against another in the direct sense, the brother who was sinned against has an obligation to the offender. I suppose that it runs completely counter to what some in the world normally do, but this is not surprising. Christ’s teaching is always counter to the practices of the world. What did Jesus say? 

And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

(Matt 18:15-20)

Jesus gives the pattern for handling sins committed against you. If you see something, say something. To whom do we say something? The offender. If the offender is not shown his fault, how could we expect him to know? One might say, “They should know.”  Yes, they should, but remember, God sent Nathan to tell David something he ought to have known (cf. 2 Sam 12). The offender is not an excuse for you not to do what God said; in fact, it focuses you to carry it out. First, one must go and address it one-on-one. If your brother repents, then great, you have gained your brother. If he does not repent,  take one or two witnesses. The additional support might make the difference in your brother turning back to the truth. If he refuses, then we must employ the full force of the congregation. We must seek to restore the erring brother, praying to God and rebuking him for his error, with the hope of gaining him back. This practice is never to be employed before the first two steps are implemented. One more thing in passing, this applies to brethren who you know and are in the same congregation with. Why is that so? Well, how might I follow Jesus’ instructions in the third step given that a brother may be in a congregation in Middle Tennessee when I am a member of a congregation in West Alabama? I will address this in a forthcoming article concerning correction of public error (i.e. livestreaming, print, podcast, lectureship, et. al). 

What Not to Do

Should you run to the elders? Did you read that in Jesus' instruction? Is there any indication that this is what we do? Let me be clear, this does not mean we cannot seek guidance from elders (they are responsible for our souls, cf. Heb 13:17). However, we cannot skip over Jesus’ instruction. Thus, if the preacher offends you, go to the preacher; if the elder offends you, go to the elder; if sister Matthews offends you, go to her! How many times does this clear instruction get twisted in implementation? Over the years, I have had to stop brethren who were speaking to me in an attempt to subvert the elders. In the same way, I know elderships have defended and protected me, and I am grateful for that. This is how it should always be. Preachers work alongside the elders, and they are to be a help to each other. I am aware that this has not always been the case in some locations, and a discontented minority can divide the brethren. My beloved, I urge you to learn how to deal with each other biblically. Over time, there will certainly be times when someone might hurt or offend you. It is in those times that we need to ask ourselves: Is this real or perceived? If it's not objectively true, let's show favor to our brethren. We must remember the nature of love is that it is long-suffering and hopes all things (1 Cor 13:4, 7).

What we have here is an issue of love. We are well aware that love for God requires our obedience (cf. John 14:15; 15:14). Love of the brethren is one of the defining factors of those who have passed from death to life (cf. 1 John 3:14). We must be involved with one another so much that we are not only comfortable talking about difficult things, but also keenly aware of the type of folks they are. The Spirit reminds us we owe this to one another. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:1-2). We have to learn to stop thinking in worldly terms. The world says you have a right to vent to anyone about anyone else. Their pattern is to be offended, tell others, and force people to take sides. Jesus’ pattern seeks to reconcile brethren with direct conversation and only involving others if necessary.  Let us listen to what Jesus said and do that? I suppose it is difficult to tell someone that they have sinned against you. It does not have to be if we listen to Jesus, love His Word, and love the brethren.