Why God Uses Unbelievers to Judge the Church

There have also been scandals in many churches at large over the past few years exposed by the secular media. Many of these involve well-known preachers and churches. Why is this happening? Should unbelievers judge the church?

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Luke 8:17

It seems that the body of Christ worldwide is undergoing a sifting. Many things that were hidden, are coming to light in a flurry of scandals. The judge is at the door as Apostle James says in his epistle. The unfortunate thing though is that all this is happening before the whole world. Does it have to get there?

Ideally, the Body of Christ should be self-correcting. This means we should judge, discipline, and correct each other within the body. This is done by submitting to the Spirit of God and the authority structures and processes laid out in God’s word. Paul rebuked the Corinthian church because of brothers going to worldly courts against each other. He reminded them that the saints shall judge the world and angels. Paul asked them, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” 1 Corinthians 6:2

If the saints will judge angels and the world, can’t we solve our issues within the body of Christ? Is there no wise among us? Unfortunately, it is not always that simple, especially when those caught up in these moral failures are the key leaders in churches or ministries. Cultures of fear, control, manipulation, and intimidation are created in many of these churches. As a result, sins are not dealt with but swept under the rug.

Judgment must begin at the house of God

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17

When we see the secular media doing what the church should do, which is exposing and correcting bad behavior in churches, it usually means the matter has festered a long time without any repentance and resolution. And God is now exposing the sinners and the church openly so the rot can be cleaned up. God does this not for the sinner only, but for those associated. Sin is an offense to God and has eternal consequences. When a leader is living in hidden sin, it spiritually affects the members of his church as well; it defiles the entire church. As Apostle Paul said, “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” Galatians 5:9

When God judged the rebellious and stubborn Israelites, he always used their enemies to chastise them. However, his aim was always to bring them back to repentance and holiness.

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

Judges 2:14

Paul handled false apostles and prophets, heresies, and indiscipline in the churches with the authority he had as an Apostle and Father of the churches. He didn’t shy away, or ‘mind his own business’ because he knew souls and the gospel message were at stake. He understood the eternal risk of eternal damnation involved.

An example is when Paul asked for the immoral brother in the Church at Corinth to be handed over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh. The brother wouldn’t repent (1 Corinthians 5:5). He also did the same with Hymenaeus and Alexander, who had shipwrecked their faith and were teaching heresies (1 Timothy 1:20). This is a godly principle God himself uses in cases of rebellion and refusal to repent among his people, be they small or great.

God disciplines those he loves

When we harden our hearts towards God, he will, out of love, hand us over to our enemies for shameful discipline. This will usually lead the impenitent to wake up and cry out to God for mercy. God will cover us first and give us chances to repent. But if we continue to rebel and harden our hearts, he will expose our sins for the sake of our souls, that we may repent and not perish.

God’s first response is never to expose us publically, but to correct us gently. He will do it privately first and then through others. Exposure comes as a last resort when we continue to harden our hearts. Unfortunately, the stubbornness and pride of many means that they will not repent until their sin is no longer hidden, and they are forced to face the consequences.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Hebrews 12:6-7

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