How To Deal With Trouble Makers In The Church And On-Line Antagonists

We are living in the age of Blogs, YouTube videos, Podcasts, Chat rooms, Discussion Boards, and rating platforms such as Google and Yelp, social media, and comment sections where people can remain anonymous and express themselves deceitfully and deceptively virtually unfiltered without fear of retaliation, providing they don’t break the Law. In this age of Artificial Intelligence, people can hide their identity and say harmful things, and too often, flat-out lies, without recourse. This is happening far too often in the Church, as messages are broadcast and short service excerpts are posted, which opens the door to both positive and negative comments.

So, what do you do with those who are serious troublemakers in the church or who hide behind online anonymity, making acerbic statements, claims or accusations without supporting evidence for the sake of argument to show their self-conceived superior intelligence and biblical acumen because they are the star of their own solipsistic, hallucinatory world and their Gluteus Maximus got hurt by leadership because of their narcissistic and nonsensical behavior.

Should you mollycoddle them and speak sweet nothings in their ear, or do you point out the error of their ways using biblical support in love, and if they resist, correctly extend the right foot of Christian fellowship as you escort them out the door?

The Bible says that the conduct of people within the church should reflect its values because a person’s behavior can contradict its teachings and practices.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9)

The Bible emphasizes the importance of maintaining order and preserving peace within the church, exercising discipline when necessary, and calling out a person whose behavior is disruptive in any way to preserve peace.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17)

"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33)

"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him." (Titus 3:10)

When there is a troublemaker, attempts at reconciliation must be made through a process of private warnings, supported by Scripture, and, if needed because of prideful pushback, addressed publicly. The Bible teaches that Christians should not make friends with disgruntled troublemakers it calls a fool because they engage in disruptive behavior.

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (Proverbs 18:2)

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways” (Proverbs 22:24-25)

“Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

Christians are to avoid “foolish controversies…dissensions…” because they are unprofitable and worthless." (Titus 3:9)

Examples of When Discipline Should Be Carried Out

1. Divisiveness within the Church

"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." (Titus 3:10-11)

2. Moral Failure and Unrepentant Sin

"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

3. Refusal to Repent

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17)