“Maybe you should focus on what you believe and quit worrying about other people’s beliefs.”
That’s an email I received recently as a response to my analysis of the Book of Mormon. Because I love Jesus Christ and care deeply about His truth, I can’t stay silent when something claims to speak for Him but doesn’t. I’ve read the entire Book of Mormon, and I must warn you: it’s not from God, and, despite the claims of some, it will lead you away from the truth of Jesus Christ. Is it wrong for me to say that? Is it unloving to tell people that they’re wrong? Is it un-Christlike to say that some people’s beliefs are false?
According to these commenters, it is:
- “I thought Christians were supposed to be loving. It’s not very loving to tear down someone else’s faith, is it?”
- “I’m puzzled. Why do you waste your time and ours attacking the Book of Mormon? If your religion is so great, why don’t you focus on spreading that?”
- “Correct me if I’m wrong, but no where in the Bible does Christ tell his followers to malign others’ beliefs, whether you disagree with them or not.”
- “And on judgment day, there is a test you will not pass. You really need to stop judging others on their faith.”
- “Why can’t your religion stand on its own and instead is built on tearing others down.”
- “If you are sure of your faith, why point out flaws in another? Your message is unchristlike. Isn’t the point of Christianity to be Christlike?”
First, can we recognize the irony in these comments? They’re telling me I’m wrong for telling other people that they’re wrong. 🤨 If it’s wrong to tell others they’re wrong, then why do you tell me that I’m wrong? This video isn’t about me or validating what I’ve done. It’s about truly learning to be Christlike. Is it against God’s will to tell others they’re wrong?
The answer hinges on whether or not what the Bible teaches is either subjective or objective. Is your faith simply a personal thing? Is it just a matter of opinion? Or is it objective truth?
You may say dill pickles are delicious and that Jesus never rose from the grave. In both cases, I strongly disagree with you, but on two different grounds. Regarding pickles, you’re at odds with my opinion. As much as I treasure my opinion, I must admit that it’s pretty inconsequential when you disagree with it. But in the resurrection of Christ, you’re at odds with historical fact. You’re entitled to believe He never rose from the dead, but if you do, you’re objectively wrong.
It’s common to hear that all religions are equally valid, but that can’t be true. An atheist denies that God exists. Islam says Muhammad was a prophet. Joseph Smith claimed that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth. And I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father and that only the Bible fully reveals the truth about Him. These claims can’t all be true at once. If someone knows the truth, it would be unloving to keep it from others, even when sharing it involves correction or rebuke.
When I correct those who are at odds with Scripture, it’s not because I find my opinion superior. In fact, there have been several times that my opinion, beliefs, and worldview were objectively wrong, and I am grateful for those who lovingly came into my life and corrected me with Scripture. It didn’t feel great in the moment, but I had to face this question: Would I rather be confronted by someone now who has my best interests in mind, or face the Lord on judgment day?
The commenter asks, “Isn’t the point of Christianity to be Christlike?” Absolutely, it is. All while feeding the hungry, bringing in the outcast, and defending the vulnerable, Jesus also rebuked the behavior of those who were hypocrites and corrected the understanding of those who had false beliefs. As the Good Shepherd, He was willing to leave His home to find even one lost sheep, which He described as calling sinners to repentance in Luke 15. And when they didn’t listen and turn from their false doctrine, He wept over them (see Luke 13:34–35). He wanted to free, forgive, and reconcile them to the Father. But their wrong hearts and wrong ideas were in the way.
We, therefore, conclude that It is not unloving or un-Christlike to tell others they’re wrong. It can be done in an unloving or un-Christlike way. In that case, much damage can be done. The Scriptures command:
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.
Galatians 6:1
Not only is correction acceptable; it is commanded. But for it to be effective and in line with the heart of Jesus, it must be done “in a spirit of gentleness.” When we approach falsehood and sin, we must always remember that we are not going because we are perfect or based on our own authority. We are not telling the person, “You know, you need to be more like me.” No, we go because the Lord is perfect, and we all need to be like Him. Beware of arrogance. When the devil has trapped one person in sin, he’s looking for another. And, although I have the best of intentions, if I am not careful while correcting, I can fall into sin and error too.
If I truly love someone, I can’t stay silent while they’re being led away from the truth. Silence may feel polite, but it’s neglect, not love. Jesus said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” (Revelation 3:19), and Proverbs reminds us that “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27:5).
Rebuke is also meant to help and restore. Religions and religious teachings that come from man and not God lead to vain worship and judgment from God. To the people who had made up their own religion, Jesus didn’t see their point of view as equally valid. If He had listened to these commenters, He would have ignored them and left them to their own faith. Instead He warned them, saying:
You have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
Matthew 15:6–9
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Yes, to be Christlike is to correct those who try to approach God with wrong motives and wrong ideas.
Scripture equips us through correction (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Jesus Himself taught that if a brother strays, we’re to go to him and help him return (Matthew 18:15–17). Rebuke protects from false teaching (2 Timothy 4:1–4) and strengthens faith (Titus 1:13). When some people see the truth as a challenge or an attack, God Himself calls it a rescue. If we withhold the truth because it’s uncomfortable, or because it’s politically correct to keep your mouth shut, we’re disobeying God and leaving others to drown in the depths of sin and falsehood. Christians are told:
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5:11
If someone is walking toward a cliff, love doesn’t whisper encouragement. Every book in the New Testament—every one—includes loud warnings of false teachings and/or false teachers.
Of course, not everyone will accept rebuke. Jesus instructed His followers to see unrepentant people as unbelievers (Matthew 18:17). Paul said to avoid false teachers (Romans 16:17) and to discipline when necessary (1 Corinthians 5). But even then, the goal is never to “win an argument.” The goal is to call people to Christ.
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19–20
Proper rebuke is love, protection, and obedience. Silence is neglect. If we truly care about souls, we can’t pretend all beliefs are equally valid or let error go unchecked. Love speaks the truth—even when it’s hard.