Orlando, FL 2008: What do we have here? A dog attack? An insult whispered in the ear? A threat? We always highly recommend that you let the Bible tell you what you have here. Otherwise, you’re liable to miss it again and again and again. “Stop judging by mere appearances,” Jesus said. John 7:24.
From Trent Ling:
Why is this ministry so mean? Endlessly embroiled in disputes and controversies, why do we mercilessly persist? Why so hard-line, overly strict, and abrasive? Shouldn’t we be more like Jesus by being softer? More accepting? Easygoing?
The spiritual war features numerous seemingly un-winnable battles. But, unlike typical so-called “ministers,” we actually engage those battles for real and win them using the actual sword of Jesus’ mouth. Revelation 2:16. The results are not pretty, but our efforts are far from mean.
Battle Against False Doctrine
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrine any longer, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.” 1 Timothy 1:3-4.
It appears that about 80% or more of the bible is written to overcome false doctrine and false teaching. Uniquely, we actually refute false teaching and we painstakingly teach and preach against it while availing the way out of it. However, entrenched falsehood presents such a spiritual thicket and quagmire. The customarily emasculated must be called out of secret and abominable sins, and then assertively and carefully restored back to lives of character. Jesus was rarely “easygoing” in straightening the path made crooked by false teachers. Matthew 23. The stakes are high, the work is great, and we do not pretend otherwise.
Battle Against Shrinking Back
“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39.
Though shrinking back and wimpishly bailing out are commonplace (especially in religious circles), we are disciples of Jesus who refuse to shrink back! We are atypical people who love you enough to tell you the truth even when it yields for you great embarrassment, difficulty, homework, and an almost-certain and regrettable attitude towards us. Though rare, priceless, and indispensable for you, our boldness brings us familiar scorn with only scarce acceptance or appreciation. Who else endures this for you?
Battle Against Itching Ears
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own evil desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3.
Itching ears crave a compromised bible. We’re painfully aware that our preaching and teaching largely fall upon itching ears that cannot accept the Word upon impact. We routinely see that those who’ve been mum on the subject of Christ, God, and the bible, have much to say when we initiate and share the details of God’s truth. The voracious worldly appetites of men are revealed in their self-justifications, their squirming, and in their sour attitudes toward us. We dare to stand unyieldingly and tell the truth to all. Itching ears are unaccustomed to being treated so actually lovingly, honestly, and accurately.
Battle Against Shadows
“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2.
We set forth the truth plainly. We neither nervously nor sheepishly stutter, stammer, or mumble the words of God. We do not beat around the bush, drop hints, or employ subliminal suggestions. Refreshingly, we simply share the bible’s take on all matters. And, in a sterilized and plasticized world we do witness great squeaking and squawking from those unwilling to be addressed. However, love demands such straightforwardness from us, and we are zealous enough and willing enough to wince compassionately for you while telling you what others would un-lovingly withhold (if they even possessed it to tell).
Battle Against Pleasing Everyone
“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” Proverbs 9:8.
Scriptural reality holds that not everyone can or will love the truth of God. Our ministry preaches the word. The wise and the foolish are revealed in their responses to that preaching. We have not undertaken the perverted goal of pleasing everyone. We know that some will hate rebuke and some will love it. Some will hate us and some will love us. Fortunately for you, our goal is not to be loved. If it were, we’d have put the bible away and opened a fashionable sugarcoating factory long ago.
Conclusion
No doubt, we are straight, plain, shrewd, bold, active, sharp, specific, and unyielding. As an oncologist is mean to cancer, we are similarly mean to false doctrine, shrinking back, itching ears, shadows, and the empty notion of pleasing everyone.
As a result, we are hated or loved; despised or appreciated; confusing or understood. At some point in the midst of our laborious work for your soul, you will either say, “Why so mean?” or you’ll say, “Thank you.” What you utter reveals you, but says very little about us.
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