Public Shaming, Scarlett Letters, Muckraking, and Mudslinging

No, this post isn’t about politics, although from the title, you might think it is. Rather, I’m speaking of what’s happening in the Church right now. There seems to be this “mob mentality” that has taken captive the hearts and minds of people. And that “mob mentality” has led to the public shaming of many people, especially leaders. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this post. 

Reinhard Bonnke made his point clear — “plunder hell, populate heaven!” That’s what made him such a great example to the Church — his eyes were on the eternal, life-changing power of the gospel. That’s why he impacted so many with the gospel — he refused to get down from his combine to spend his valuable time working the fields by responding to his detractors. And there will always be “armchair quarterbacks” who think they know how to play the game better than others. It’s easy to think you’re a great player and your plays will work; that is, until you get out on the field and actually play the game. 

Jesus made this statement to His Apostles: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37, NLT. Then, He went further, “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38, NLT. We need to go further. That means, praying to the Lord of the harvest for Him to send laborers into the harvest fields. Yes, it’s time to get on the field and play the game. Do the best you can while you can! Give your all for the call of Christ! Build your business, your family, your career, your ministry, your church for the glory of God. Do something! Get on the field! Play the game! Reap the harvest! The time is short! Life is limited! “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2, NLT.

Gossip doesn’t build the Church. Public shaming destroys the Church. Scarlett letters (given to publicly shame those suspected or caught in adultery) do nothing but bring reproach on us all. Muckraking (digging up scandals and sins) to publicly shame people isn’t godly behavior, no matter how hard we try to whitewash it (cover up why we publicly shame people). Rather, we have become good at mudslinging (slandering others, attacking their character, rather than debating the real issue). Believers, especially leaders, shouldn’t perpetuate those acts; they’re heinous sins in God’s kingdom context. And yet, today, they’ve become popular sins. We should repent!

“That’s where real change begins-with repentance.”—Scott Wallis

The salvation of Christ’s Church lies in its choice — To repent? Or not to repent? That is the question that lays before us. And our choice has eternal consequences. And it seems to me that’s the one thing being lost in our conversation — the eternal consequences of our actions. Yes, as Isaac Newton came to realize, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Are we paying attention to reactions from the public shaming, Scarlett letters, muckraking, and mudslinging? I think not! Rather, corrosion and corruption of our conversation are proceeding from hell, as the Apostle James stated.

Real wisdom, “the wisdom from above”, as the Apostle James describes it, “is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].” James 3:17, Amplified Bible. Sadly, we seem to be lacking that kind of wisdom today. Instead, we “bite and devour each other”. Galatians 5:15, NIV. Plainly, that’s not a fruit of the Spirit. No, it’s a work of the flesh. And the Apostle Paul warns us, when we bite and devour others, “you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:15, NIV.

How will God treat those who destroy His Church? The Apostle Paul clearly states this truth: “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. Anyone! That is strong language from the great apostle. I think he wrote what he wrote with fear and trembling, knowing the mercy he received. I think he knew what could, would, and should happen to anyone destroying the Church, for he said of himself, “I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.” Galatians  1:13, NIV. Why did he do that? Simple. He was deceived. As many today, who claim their path is righteous, are being deceived. Do not be deceived! Satan is the one behind your slander, public shaming, and Scarlett letters. 

We must stop wrestling in the muck and mire of life. Our flesh profits nothing and no one. Rather, it does great harm to God’s work in people’s lives. Those considering the gospel, who see our gossip and strife, turn away from Christ. An eternal soul lost to hell. How awful! No matter how well we try to gloss our gossip, it does great harm. I have a word from the Lord for you, Church. After all, I am a prophet. And that word is one word — Repent! That’s what leaders and believers need right now — repentance.

I have a question for you: Will you repent? Will you release your anger, hatred, bitterness, envy, lust, greed, and other sins of the flesh and spirit to God? Don’t you want to be free?! Isn’t that what you long for?! Today is the day for your freedom! Repent! For how long? Until your hatred, bitterness, anger, lust, unforgiveness, wrath, envy, greed, and other sins of the flesh are gone. That’s right! We can spend a lifetime repenting for our sin. Nevertheless, that’s where real change begins — with repentance.

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis