Don’t tolerate bad behavior when interacting with other Christians. Bad behavior would qualify as anything that the Bible says is wrong or unbecoming of a follower of Christ. Bad behavior encompasses a wide variety of topics as well as actions. We shouldn’t tolerate bad behavior because the actions are almost always morally wrong and the person engaging in the behavior is deceiving. It is easy for people to go along with others and not question their actions or motives. Being a willful participant makes you just as guilty of the action as the person peddling the behavior. Let me give you a few examples of bad behavior that should never be followed.
First, we have affirming churches. For those of you unfamiliar with the term it encompasses churches that not only except someone’s sexual deviation counter to what the Bible says, but these churches take it a step further. These churches promote the perversion and pretend like the Bible doesn’t have anything to say about the behavior. The most commonly used verse to promote their evil deeds is “love thy neighbor.” The verse which is obviously taken completely out of context is used as a manipulation tool to encourage others to support the evil and progressive agenda. The second verse these demonic peddlers use is “thou shall not judge.” Again, completely taking the verse out of context and marrying their feelings with a false interpretation of reality.
Another example of bad behavior in churches is watching churches take on debt while at the same time peddling the get out of debt guys books. It sets a horrible precedence for a church to say on one hand that the congregation should be debt free while on the other hand using donations for kingdom work and turning them over to the bank for interest payments. How completely stupid is this behavior. Churches in one breath saying “the Bible says give ten percent as a tithe to further God’s kingdom” and on the other hand takes the ten percent tithe and ends using it for something other than furthering God’s kingdom. I didn’t know that by giving ten percent to church only to have them hand it over to a bank in interest was furthering God’s kingdom. Could have fooled me.
Bad behavior defines the character of an individual and dilutes their ministry.
One of the worst behaviors that I have ever witnessed was how the church responded to covid. Men that proclaim to be men of God, willfully and swiftly clung to fear and closed the doors of God’s house. As well versed as these men pretend to be proficient with the word of God, somehow, they missed all 365 verses specifically addressing fear in the Bible. I could give you so many examples of failed and repulsive behavior that occurred during this time. Would it matter? Probably not. Because up to this point, the only explanation that I have from the cowards who guard the pulpit is that “we didn’t know.” Who do you serve? Men or God? You cannot serve two God’s at the same time.
Bad behavior leads people astray and away from the Bible. How many people quit going to church because the doors were closed during covid? How many people will go unreached because a selfish church is in debt up to their neck and uses money that should go to expanding God’s kingdom to pay their debtor? How many people will go to hell because they think that love thy neighbor and don’t judge are more important than salvation? Bad behavior destroys the lives of so many. Instead of churches being selfish or rebellious, it is time for them to turn from their wicked behavior. Complacency makes you an accomplice. If you go along to get along, then you are part of the problem.
Bad behavior is fixed when it is called out for what it is. No more pretending like bad things are ok. No more lying to promote an agenda. No more manipulating people to pretend like you are not a coward. If you want to squash this behavior, speak out. Speak the truth of God in love. Sometimes love is bold and direct. Don’t handle adults with kid gloves. Many people are depending on us to have the courage to fight bad behavior in the churches that we attend. It is time to right the course and take a stand against lies. When lies are spun as truth, the devil reigns. Do you want your church to be filled with Christ or the devil?