Do you think it is right to tell another person they are wrong in their religious beliefs? Before we answer that let us consider another question – do you think it is right to tell another person they are wrong about anything? Suppose they are driving on the wrong side of the road (you are riding with them in the car). Should you mention to them that they are wrong? Suppose you are in the kitchen and notice the cook about to put poison into the food instead of salt, should you just ignore it?
Now, in both of these cases most (if not all) of us would say we ought to go ahead and tell them a mistake has been made. Why?? Because not to tell them would be to allow them to do something that would put both your life and theirs in some danger.
But when we come to religion we want to view things differently. We don’t want to tell anyone they are wrong and we don’t want anyone to suggest that we might be. Why the change in attitude? Is not our soul as important as our life? Are we not as interested in believing and practicing the right thing in religion as we are in driving and in cooking? Does not our religion have a greater effect upon us and our destiny than driving and cooking? I believe it does.
Paul told Timothy to “reprove, rebuke, exhort” (2 Tim. 4:2). To reprove and to rebuke means to tell folks they are wrong. It means to point out wherein people err. And Paul was talking about matters of a religious nature. This was to be done with patience and with teaching of the Bible, but it was to be done! If Timothy was to be a good servant of the Lord there would be times when he would have to say to someone, “YOU ARE WRONG”.
Would they like it? Probably many of them would not. But it had to be done anyhow. Why? For the same reason you would tell the driver they were on the wrong side of the road. It is dangerous to continue going the wrong way – in religion as well as on the highway. This is why people should be of the disposition to consider what another has to say in spiritual matters. We ought not refuse to listen when someone disagrees with us. We ought to listen.
There is only one way to heaven (Jno. 14:6). There is only one power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). There is only one faith (Eph. 4:5). Do you want to please God??
– by J. F. Dancer