The Biblical Process of Correction

Recently, I have witnessed the rise of numerous videos on YouTube where individuals state they are bringing correction to leaders who have sinned. As I have witnessed the rise of this modern day process of bringing correction against Church leaders, I am amazed at the unbiblical nature of this process. No basis in scripture allows for such correction. None! Further, those who seek to bring correction exempt themselves from coming under scrutiny for their unbiblical process by highlighting the egregious nature of the sins committed. That too is unbiblical. Instead of modesty and humility in bringing any necessary biblical correction (even contacting authorities to bring criminal charges, where warranted), pride seems to rule the roost. Christ’s body is harmed, even destroyed. I fail to see how such an act would please God. We must always remember what the Apostle Paul wrote: “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:17 NIV. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this post.

During World War II, one of the phrases instilled among the American population was “loose lips, sink ships”. So effective was the campaign of silence, history shows that slogan “practically shut down German espionage in the United States overnight.” Jesus, by the way, warned of the same thing, “by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37, NIV. The Apostle James plainly stated, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. James 1:19, NIV. Yes, there’s good reason for the biblical process of bringing correction, which is highlighted by the Apostle Paul, “if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1, NLT. For elders in the Church, we are admonished “do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19, NLT.

That begs the question: Is the correction taking place online via numerous YouTube videos biblical? The obvious answer, No! Yet the fact that the current unbiblical correction taking place online via YouTube videos is a revelation of a deeper root issue within the Church. You might ask, What is the correction taking place on YouTube a sign of? I believe it’s a sign of our own spiritual depravity and division as a Church. The Apostle Paul asked the divided Corinthian Church a simple question: “Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!” 1 Corinthians 1:13, NLT. In the New King James Version, it says, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:13, NKJV. No! Christ is not divided. Yet, we have divided Him. That begs the question: Why?

Why is the Church so divided today? Moreover, is our division a sign or symptom of a larger issue within the Church? To answer those questions, I will point out some simple Biblical truths we all know. One, there’s One Church not many. Two, Christ chooses who will lead His Church not man. Three, not everything done in the Church is of Christ. Four, every Christian leader is flawed. Five, every Christian is flawed. Six, we often base our spirituality on how we feel. Seven, overall, the Church is out of alignment with God and Christ. Is anything I’ve just pointed out extreme, unscriptural, or untruthful? I think the obvious answer is, No. Yet, and I am speaking to those who are seeking to bring correction via YouTube, the correction being brought is presented as if it’s under the authority of scripture. It’s not! Rather, the superimposition of scripture to the correction being brought is added to justify what is being done, which at its core is unbiblical.

Hmm! That sounds eerily familiar with what was done in Jesus’s day by the Jewish leaders. They sought to bring correction, but when push came to shove, they were unwilling to lift a finger to help anyone. Further, they acted as if what they were doing was under the authority of scripture when it clearly wasn’t. That’s a dangerous place. When we use self justification that is supported by the delusion that we are justified, we are certainly in a dangerous place indeed. What is the root of that self justification process? You guessed it! Pride. Or more specifically, the pride of man. By the way, that was Satan’s chief sin; he acted with pride in subversion of God’s will. That reminds me of the poetic rhyme by my namesake, Walter Scott, in his book, Marmion: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!” 

That’s right! Much of the unbiblical correction being brought today by those on YouTube is being done under the self delusion of self justification — pride. And it’s being done without care of consequence to the Church. Further, the allegations and accusations are serious. Yet, it seems that we, like the Corinthian Church, don’t have a wise man or woman to help us walk through this process. As the Apostle Paul states and asked the Corinthian Church, so I say, “I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is not one wise man among you who [is governed by integrity and] will be able and competent to decide [private disputes] between his fellow believers”. 1 Corinthians 6:5, Amplified Bible. 

Yes! That’s what God is saying regarding the unbiblical correction being brought: It’s to our own shame as a Church and a revelation of our lack of a wise man or woman in the Church. Truthfully, God, due to the seriousness of the sin in His Church, has allowed, and even used, the unbiblical correction being brought. Yet, that doesn’t mean He has authorized it. Allowance isn’t authorization. Rather, similar to the Ark of the Covenant being returned to Israel by the Philistines on an ox cart, we’ve tried to usher correction back into the Church on YouTube’s digital mart. It cannot work. It will not work. The Ark was never meant to be carried on an ox cart or a YouTube digital mart. No! The Ark was to be carried by those chosen to carry it — the priesthood. 

It’s dangerous to deal with the things of God the world’s way, as Uzzah, or Nadab and Abihu, found out. Doing things the world’s way in or on behalf of God’s house is dangerous. Confronting sin is vital. Confessing sin is vital. Forgiving sin is essential. Jesus, when confronted by the woman caught in adultery, said to those who were there to stone her: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7. The law demanded judgment. Christ offered forgiveness: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11. The Church is founded on forgiveness. If we cannot live up to that standard, then we have failed to understand Christ and Him crucified: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. 

Indeed, we need a lot of correction. May God grant us a wise man or woman to bring it!

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis