For
this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does,
unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself
does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so
and puts them out of the church. 3 John
1:10
I.
Focus
On The Problem and Not the Person (vs. 10)
As human beings we have a hard
time distinguishing between the person and the problem when we find fault with
something. Sometimes, when we are losing
an argument, we bring in the big guns to blow the person away by talking about
their past or bringing up a weakness. But,
instead of attacking the PERSON, we need to address the PROBLEM.
Children who have been raised in
homes where parents did not distinguish between the problem and the person in
their discipline will usually seek to avoid any conflict. These individuals are difficult to have a
meaningful dialogue with because they take everything personally. Discussion of an issue separate from their
identity is nearly impossible.
Diotrephes was very JUDGMENTAL of
others when they disagreed with him. He
would seek to destroy the person who viewed things differently than himself
rather than discussing the issue. John
describes three ways this could be seen.
1. First,
we are told that he judged the ELDER. He
was “unjustly
accusing” him. In other words
he was twisting things to make them look bad.
Listen to what scripture says about attacking an elder; “Don't listen to a complaint against a leader that
isn't backed up by two or three responsible witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19 (MSG)
Sadly,
Diotrephes was accusing John with “wicked words.”
Anytime you throw mud you will always lose ground. Reducing a theological argument to personal
attacks is far from being “Christian” in our dealings with others. Remember, a sharp tongue will only cut your
own throat.
2. Second,
Diotrephes judged those who were associated with John. He would not even receive and care for
missionaries from churches who associated with John. He created an “us vs. them” problem, dividing
the church and forcing people to take sides.
Sadly, controversies such as this are still common. Denominations are plagued by politics and judging
others by whom they associate with or demanding that they break alliances with
those they disagree with if they are going to associate with them.
3. Third,
he judged the CHURCH. Excommunication is
a term we recognize today as something done in the Catholic Church. However, it was a common action in the early
church as it defined itself. This man
felt that he held the power to determine who would be allowed in the church. Possibly he missed the words of Christ in the
Sermon on the Mount when He said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1
(NIV)
John brings this man’s actions
into the light where the congregation can deal with him. Out of the back room politics and into the
open, what he has done will not stand.
We should be aware that God is not pleased when we build alliances of
believers and attack one another. Gossip
and slander are Satan’s tools to destroy the body of Christ. When conflict arises, stick to the issue and
don’t fall for Satan’s schemes to divide the church. Beware of Diotrephes!
Scripture to Claim:
Therefore
let us stop passing judgment on one another.
Romans 14:13 (NIV)
