Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19 – NASB95)
In our study in Revelation 12, we have noted that Satan loves to cause division. His strategy from the beginning has been to divide and conquer. One of his main weapons to accomplish this is to spread gossip and slander. John 8:44 tells us that he is a liar and the father of lies. Rev. 12:10 says he is the “accuser of our brethren… who accuses them before our God day and night.” He tries to do harm in our relationship with God, BUT it won’t work because Jesus is our Advocate (defense attorney – 1 John 2:1-2) who also paid for all of our sins in advance. There is nothing Satan can do to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39).
Satan’s tactics don’t work with God, but they often do with humans. That is why God warns us repeatedly in Scripture about the sins of gossip and slander (Lev. 19:16; Prov. 11:13; 16:28; 20:19; Mt. 15:19; James 1:26). Instead of broadcasting the sins of others, love “covers a multitude of sins” (Prov. 10:12; 1 Pet. 4:8). Gossip and slander will separate friends and churches. That is why we should never spread gossip or slander. And when we hear others spreading gossip and slander, we must be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). How do we do that? Knowing that Satan loves to go after leadership in a church, What do I do when people say negative things about a pastor/elder?
[Note: in biblical terminology, an elder is a pastor, whether they are in a paid full-time position or not.]
I don’t know who came up with the idea that October should be “Pastor Appreciation Month,” but it’s not a bad idea. The Apostle Paul requested of the church in Thessalonica,” that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” (1 Thess. 5:12-13 – NASB95)
Biblical elders have spent years growing in grace and truth so they can be qualified to serve as an elder (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1; 1 Pet. 5). In the role of an elder, they work hard to shepherd their local church, spending countless hours in prayer, study, preaching/teaching, counseling, administrating, leading, and ruling. For all of that they should be appreciated, esteemed, and loved.
It is quite apparent why Satan wants to spread negative things about men who have this high and holy calling. It happens somewhat frequently in virtually every church. What should we do when we hear those things?
- Don’t assume that it is true, no matter how well you know the person saying these things to you. What they are saying may be true, it may be a misunderstanding, or it may be a lie. We are commanded not to receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19). Requiring multiple witnesses will eliminate frivolous and/or false accusations people make against leaders in the church. In other words, all the steps of church discipline (see Mt. 18:15-20) need to be followed with an elder accused of sinning just as with any other member of the church that is accused of sinning. People are considered innocent of the accusations until they are proven guilty through the steps of church discipline.
- If those steps have not been followed, tell the person to stop talking about the elder in question and go talk directly to him. Let them know that they are spreading gossip (and possibly slander) and it must stop. If they have already spoken to the elder in question, their next step must be to go talk to other elders who can go with them to continue the process of Mt. 18:15-20 (church discipline). If the elder does not repent of proven sin, the other elders are obligated to take it to the church (1 Tim. 5:20-21). The information will then be public which will eliminate gossip and slander.
- Hold the person accountable to follow the biblical steps you have outlined for them. Give them a deadline and let them know you will tell the elder in question what they are saying about him if they don’t follow through themselves.
- If the person continues to spread negative things about an elder (or anyone else in the church), begin the process of church discipline with them. This is the loving thing to do and will preserve the unity of the church for the glory of God.
The Lord requires us to only appoint men to the office of elder if they meet stringent requirements outlined in 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1; 1 Pet. 5. He commands us to submit to and obey those qualified leaders in the church (Heb. 13:17). He wants us to make their jobs easier, not harder. The enemy of our souls wants to spread gossip and slander about church leaders. He wants the church members to doubt the integrity of the elders and choose not to submit to or obey them. We must not be ignorant of his schemes. Satan wants to create divisions / problems. God wants us to stop or resolve division / problems. We must choose to preserve unity, love those who are in leadership, and believe the best until proven otherwise. If an elder is truly sinning, we must confront him in love, not gossip about him in anger or hatred.
Let’s work together to preserve unity in our church and stand firm against the enemy who wants to divide. Jesus made it clear how crucial our unity is when He prayed to His Father,
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 – NASB95)