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Airing It Out!

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The Charge!

When We Preach On Controversial Issues, Or Charge Brethren & Churches With Sin, We Are Then Guilty Of “Airing Our Dirty Linen.”

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Not Every Disagreement or Dispute Needs To Be Discussed Publicly Mt. 18:15-17

Elders, Evangelists, and Brethren Must Use Good Judgment and Discretion Mt. 10:16

Is It True, Though, That We Must Not Discuss Sin and Error Among Us? Should we use the a “Don’t ask - don’t tell” approach?

If So, I have a few Questions…

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Question # 1

Are not those who raise the objection also guilty of “airing dirty linen”? When they condemn the “airing of our

dirty linen,” they are guilty of “airing” that dirty cloth. Shouldn’t they keep their objection to themselves and not “air” the fact that we “air our dirty linen”?

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Question # 2

Was Paul wrong to air the dirty linen regarding the hypocrisy of Peter and Barnabas? – Gal. 2:11-14He said they “stood condemned” and

“walked not uprightly according to the gospel”

He rebuked Peter before them all!Was he wrong to do this?

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Question # 3

Why did John tell brethren in another congregation about Diotrephes’ despicable deportment? – 3 Jn. 9-11

Was he wrong?

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Question # 4

Why did the Lord review the strengths and weaknesses of the seven churches in Asia for all the world to see and read about? – Rev. 2, 3Was our Lord wrong in doing the review?

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Question # 5

Should churches of the first century have refused to read and distribute the first letter to the Corinthians since it dealt with another local church’s problems and errors? Cf. Phil. 3:16; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:2

Should we ignore it for the same reason?

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Question # 6

Laodicea was told to read Colosse’s mail. Should they have told Paul they would rather not read a letter directed to another congregation since it aired some of that church’s “dirty linen”?Colossians 4:16

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Question # 7

What shall we say of Demas, Hymanaeus, Philetus, and Alexander?2 Tim. 2:17; 4:10, 14

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Question # 8

The “dirty linen” of Ananias and Sapphira was public knowledge. Shall we turn our eyes from this?Acts 5:1-11

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Question # 9

Peter’s cursing and denial of the Lord is not lovely linen. Should it have been purged from the fabric of the New Testament?Matthew 26:69-75

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Question # 10

What of Paul’s airing of Israel’s “dirty linen”? 1 Cor. 10:1-11; Cf. 2 Pet. 2; Jude 5

“Them That Sin, Rebuke Before All That Others Also May Fear”! 1 Tim. 5:20

2 Tim. 4:1-4 Titus 1:13; 2:15.

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Question # 11

What about…Jesus Airing the “Dirty Linen” of the

Scribes & Pharisees? In Matthew 23?

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Question # 12

Was Steven wrong when he aired the dirty linen of the high priest and members of the council? Acts 6:8-7:48

To call the high-priest & members of the council names was rather “judgmental,” “pharisaical,” “insensitive” or not “politically correct,” right? Acts 7:51-53

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Question # 13

Time forbids us to cite the drunkenness, Noah, David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the “foolish Galatians” who turned their backs on the grace of God, and a myriad of other cases of “airing dirty linen”!Gen. 9; 2 Sam. 11; Gal. 1:6; 3:1; 5:7

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Why Do Some Oppose Exposure Of Sin And Error? Afraid Others Will Be Offended:

Matt. 15:12; Lk. 4:28; 6:11; 11:45;13:17 “Offended,” “Filled With Wrath,” Insulted,”

“Ashamed.”

Don’t Want Their Favorite Preacher Rebuked:Gal. 2:11-14 – Woods, Hailey

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Why Do Some Oppose Exposure Of Sin And Error? Don’t Want Pet Sins Questioned:

Drinking, Dancing, Gambling, Immodest Dress, Unscriptural Marriages, Abortion

They Think Peace “Trumps” Truth:James 3:17; Ephesians 4:3

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Dealing With Sin & Error! Error, whether in or out of the church, is to

be exposed when it is expressed! 2 Tim. 3:16- 4:4 Titus 1:9-13

Must examine ourselves! 2 Cor. 13:5; Rom. 12:1- 2; Acts 17:11; Jn. 7:24

If such work is neglected, there will be no clean linen!

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Only when the pure word of God is preached can it truly be said…

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto to you” (John 15:3)