Do not condemn an ordained minister of God.

[Classik]

Do not condemn an ordained minister of God. My sister has always warned us never to condemn the ministers of God (no matter how sinful or backslidden we think they are). That deceiver, that cruel one, that this and that that...

She always said we should pray for them, instead. I really learnt this from her. I try as much as possible not to abuse or condemn them.

One thing I have not bothered to ask her is 'the verses that support this'.

So, what is wrong calling a spade a spade? And what are the verses?

 

[thethinkingrebel]

Do not condemn an ordained minister of God. My sister has always warned us never to condemn the ministers of God (no matter how sinful or backslidden we think they are). That deceiver, that cruel one, that this and that that...

She always said we should pray for them, instead. I really learnt this from her. I try as much as possible not to abuse or condemn them.

One thing I have not bothered to ask her is 'the verses that support this'.

So, what is wrong calling a spade a spade? And what are the verses?

Well, really we shouldn't condemn anyone christian or not. However I would imagine its highly important for Christians to keep an eye on those in charge to see if what they're saying coincides with scripture.
[Romans 8:1, Acts 17:11-12]

You are right that ministers should be called out, we do have a duty to expose liars and hypocrites, coming from an oft-touted scripture whose second half is usually ignored [2 Corinthians 11:14-15]

But of course we are all sinners, and live in 2012 not 0040. So we have to view every person on their own terms. We live in a time of apostasy as much caused by ministers than it is by culture, if it isn't KJVOs (pharisees) its heaven and hell teachers (saducees) or those who teach that its okay for a Christian to take class A drugs and go to orgies cos they're carnal Christians (antinomianism). [2 Timothy 4:3-5, 1Tim 4:1,]

So..

I think that on the basis of supporting godliness, we should follow Paul's teachings [2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Corinthians 5]

We should also remember Jesus letters from Revelation, they're a pretty good representation of what God wants from his churches, as are the beatitudes. Also remember that condemnation isn't telling someone that they are a false teacher, condemnation is telling someone that they are going to die, or suffer eternal punishment. Pointing out something true, is likely to show them the error of their ways and save their lives, here and after the resurrection [John 8:32]

 

[ivorhughjarse]

Speaking against false teachers is not condemning them. We are told to give double measure of honor to those taking the lead because they are more accountable but there are some greedy abusers of their position that reap the harvest from their congregations to buy their next plane or mansion...forget the word "ordained"...leaders teachers prophets are all appointed by God not committee. They are identified by their works not the label badge on their desk or door

 

[JennyThatcher123]

Condemn is a strong word - we should not do it. That said the OP seems to have an underling thought. to this I say if you see a leader / or Christian (and it stays there) doing something wrong and you know, it you should talk to them in private. if they do not change you should do it again with a brother or two. and if something is still bad and it is affecting the church you could go to the elders or find a new church. this is reading between the lines but I thought it should be said.

 

[farouk]

The Lord Jesus said of a high priest of the day, 'I wist not that he was the high priest'; that is to say, his ideas and behavior were so inconsistent with what he was supposed to represent, that how can people be blamed for not knowing?

Yes, those who truly minister Christ (and not those who like to wear special clothes) should be respected. Paul says: 'Let those who rule well be worthy of double honor'. But everyone is subject to the Scriptures.