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Is name calling ever appropriate?

Even when you feel convicted that what the other person is doing is very wrong, no, we do not feel as Christians that name-calling is appropriate behavior. Even when Jesus harshly rebuked the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites (see Matthew 23:13-36), he never rebuked them individually, but as a class of people. Just because we are against abortion, we do not have the right to insult individuals who disagree with our position. Instead, our focus should be on education. As the holy spirit of God enlightens us, we have a responsibility to let our light shine forth onto others. Insulting them defeats that purpose. 

The scriptures tell us that we are walking epistles and are judged by our actions and our words. The Apostle Paul writes, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” (2 Corinthians 3:2) By demeaning ourselves through name calling, we lower the high Christian standard that our Lord Jesus set for us. As Christians we desire to walk in our Master’s path. We try to emulate His example as we go forth into the world, bearing witness to the truth, by our words and our lives. 

Furthermore, we are incapable of judging others. We do not know their hearts or what is motivating them to act as they do. Only God is able to look at the heart of an individual. Jesus told the Pharisees, “You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.” (John 8:15-16) When speaking on the Mount Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2) 

We look forward to the day when all the wrongs of this world will be righted. It will be a thousand- year judgment day in which all who have ever lived will come back from their graves and have an opportunity to learn what true righteousness really is so that they may enjoy everlasting life on earth. 

“For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” Zephaniah 3:9

The best efforts of humankind cannot make a dent in the degradation of fallen man, but our faith sustains us because we know that one day God will right all the wrongs. We cannot even imagine how wonderful his kingdom will be!

To learn more about what the Bible says about judging others listen to, “Is It Ever Right to Judge Your Brother?”