A Broken Nation: Answer 1b

As stated in Question 1 it is absolutely OK to question leadership, but the real issue centers around how we do this. What actions are appropriate for criticizing our leadership, and what actions are over the line? Obviously, as we can see from the Aaron and Miriam story there's some line to be crossed, it's just not always easy to see it.

Thankfully I believe the Lord has given us some tools/guidelines to use in dealing with confrontation with others. (The specific reference deals with a brother sinning against you, but the lesson is applicable to all human conflict.) Jesus tells us that if a brother sins against you:

"Go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he 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 he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church..." (NIV Matt. 18:15-20)

Like I said, specifically this reference deals with a brother sinning against you, but I believe the process is helpful and can be followed in order to keep us from crossing the line with our leadership. (No, its not a God given commandment, its simply a helpful guideline.)

If you have a problem with a leader, go to him/her and talk with them. Don't go to everyone and their mother to get their opinions. Go directly to the person. If you don't have access to them, use the available resources at your disposal, i.e. writing a letter to the president. If this doesn't work, gather a few more people who are in agreement and go through the same process. As you continue to increase your numbers always keep in mind two things:

1. If you (or anyone with you) is not willing to be part of the solution, than you have no business talking about it! I'm not saying you have to be able to be part of the solution, just willing. If you have no intention of helping the matter, than you are simply complaining and gossiping, and the Lord will not bless that.

2. Ask yourself, "Am I critiquing or am I criticizing?" I believe those two words can accurately define the condition of the heart within your actions. If your heart is clean, than you are more than welcome to critique your leader's actions. However, if your heart is angry, jealous, judgmental, bitter, etc.; you are more likely to criticize that person, which is where we cross the line into sin.

If you can faithfully question your leader's actions with a right heart and right actions, the Lord will honor you, and you'll have a much better chance of succeeding in producing change in that person's leadership. But what if that person still won't change, what do you do then? Find out more in Question 2...

Technorati tags: leadership, criticize, sin, government