What the Bible says about Confrontation
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The confrontation into which God brought Moses and Aaron with Pharaoh is an early example of a persistent theme that runs through the whole of the Bible. At some time in nearly every prophet's service to God, God brings him into confrontation with His enemies. Sometimes they are slain for their efforts. When we look at the New Testament record, we find it to be no different. The confrontations between Jesus and the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and finally Pilate fit the pattern. Traditional Christian history informs us that all the apostles too, except possibly John, were martyred. In the end time, God will bring the Two Witnesses into confrontation with the Beast power for three and a half years until they are put to death.
Since the record is so clear, should we not expect God to bring us into conflict with His enemies in this era of the church? Surely, He will! In fact, just as His Word prophesies of the battles of the Two Witnesses, it also prophesies the church in general will face them too. The first-century church left us a record of what happened to them.
John W. Ritenbaugh
God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)Related Topics: Confrontation
The apostle Paul, despite his cautions to Timothy (see II Timothy 2:23; I Timothy 6:3-5), realized at one point that if he did not challenge the foolish challenges of his enemies (concerning his apostolic authority and methods), naïve members of the Corinthian congregation might believe them. His lengthy answer spans II Corinthians 11 and 12.
Obviously, Paul felt extremely uncomfortable about answering these allegations, as is evidenced by his self-effacing reference to himself as a fool, but he also realized that his silence would have tacitly endorsed the charges. Likewise, our Savior, when confronted about His identity and credentials, knew the timing was right to put the gainsaying Pharisees in their place (John 8:52-58).
As one minister said, "If you are going to preach a warning message, you had better be mindful of your exit strategies, or be prepared to die on that hill of battle." There certainly are times when diplomacy fails and silence is no longer appropriate. Our society is replete with foolish teachings, ideas, theories, and misconceptions—both secular and religious—and under the right circumstances, they should be confronted and shown to be false, lest they be accepted as factual.
As maturing Christians, we must learn to discern when it is proper to answer a fool according to his folly (in the manner his foolishness deserves), and when it is a bad idea to answer a fool according to his folly (lowering ourselves to his undignified level). The right exercise of God's Spirit in us, which Paul calls "the mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2:16), provides the potential to have and use this ability.
David F. Maas
To Answer a Fool—or NotRelated Topics: According to His Folly | Answering Fools | Arguing | Argumentation | Confrontation | Diplomacy | Discernment | Discernment, Growing in | Fools, Answering