Persecution, Suffering, & Mortality

Biblical Due Process

Taylor Clifton

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Biblical Due Process

Internet Gossip in the Information Age 

β€‹β€œπ‘‡β„Žπ‘œπ‘’ π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘™π‘‘ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘ π‘’ π‘Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘™π‘ π‘’ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘: 𝑝𝑒𝑑 π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘’ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘€π‘–π‘‘β„Ž π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘€π‘–π‘π‘˜π‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑏𝑒 π‘Žπ‘› π‘’π‘›π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘œπ‘’π‘  𝑀𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠. π‘‡β„Žπ‘œπ‘’ π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘™π‘‘ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘“π‘œπ‘™π‘™π‘œπ‘€ π‘Ž π‘šπ‘’π‘™π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘’π‘‘π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙; π‘›π‘’π‘–π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘™π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘’ π‘ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘˜ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 π‘Žπ‘“π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘¦ π‘‘π‘œ π‘€π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘‘ π‘—π‘’π‘‘π‘”π‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘‘: π‘π‘’π‘–π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘™π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘Žπ‘›π‘π‘’ π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘› 𝑖𝑛 β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’... π‘‡β„Žπ‘œπ‘’ π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘™π‘‘ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘€π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘—π‘’π‘‘π‘”π‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘β„Žπ‘¦ π‘π‘œπ‘œπ‘Ÿ 𝑖𝑛 β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’. 𝐾𝑒𝑒𝑝 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘’ π‘“π‘Žπ‘Ÿ π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š π‘Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘™π‘ π‘’ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ; π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘–π‘›π‘›π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘œπ‘’π‘  π‘ π‘™π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘’ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘: π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ 𝐼 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙 π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ 𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑦 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘€π‘–π‘π‘˜π‘’π‘‘.” - 𝐸π‘₯π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  23:1-3,6-7

​Internet gossip is at an all-time high since the beginning of the information age. Now, more than ever, true Christians need to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). In other words, we need to understand the crafty and serpentine ways that the world uses to destroy men of influence in our time. Christian, don't be so naΓ―ve (as I was!) to think that professing Christians will not launch a massive smear-campaign against true Christians just like the "Political Assassination Hit Pieces" that are common in politics. The fact that America has descended into total disarray and madness for the past 6 years only underscores the importance of this issue.

Don't let men rob the accused from the only means of recourse by refusing to name the accuser. Don't trust the accuser without hearing from the accused. Not even heathen "law and justice" would allow such things in the courtrooms of America. How much more ought Christians to shun a NAMELESS and FACELESS smear-campaign that gives no opportunity for the accused to give an answer. Our bounden duty is to follow Biblical Due Process in order to discern the truth. The eternal destiny of the individuals caught-in-the-crossfire of these events, I know not, but let us all be sobered and duly warned: β€œHe that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:15). 

People surf the internet for a spectacle. They judge many matters and fantasize about others without concern for all the witnesses present (to hear both sides) in a mock trial that is a disgrace even to secular law and order. Truly, a day of reckoning is coming! However, to all who traffic here and there, I plead for sincerity and truth: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. 18:25). 

Discerning Credible Sources of Information 

​"𝑂 π‘”π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘œπ‘“ π‘£π‘–π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ , β„Žπ‘œπ‘€ π‘π‘Žπ‘› 𝑦𝑒, 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙, π‘ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘˜ π‘”π‘œπ‘œπ‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘”π‘ ? π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ β„Žπ‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘šπ‘œπ‘’π‘‘β„Ž π‘ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘‘β„Ž." - π‘€π‘Žπ‘‘π‘‘. 12:34

Righteous people speak right things. Evil people speak evil things. Spiritual men have spiritual discernment. Carnal men have carnal discernment (Rom. 8:5-8). The accuracy of any given testimony heavily depends upon whether or not each person is truly converted to Christ. A true Christian is spiritually capable of giving a true report on matters of Biblical Due Process in the Body of Christ. A falsely converted Christian will give a false report by virtue of being blind to the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Biblical matters of due process within the Body of Christ require spiritual discernment. 

Nevertheless, even true Christians are capable of giving false reports if someone has fallen into sin and is currently backslidden. Sin is a blinding force even upon true Christians if they are being untrue to the Gospel and disobedient to the Covenant. Therefore, a true testimony of conversion isn't all that is necessary for the human heart to yield the truth. A right relationship with God at present is also necessary. Furthermore, the testimony of true Christians should be backed up by two or three witnesses when it comes to accusations of grave concern and / or the judgment of Elders in the Church. 

What is Biblical Due Process?

#1. Spiritual & Biblical Discernment Must be Used

Not every witness should be believed, but only TRUE and CREDIBLE witnesses - only those who are evidently converted to become lovers of the truth (2 Thess. 2:10) by the grace of God. In other words, the fruits of true conversion must be present in their lives! For instance, in the secular world of America, would a spy from Russia be a credible witness in witnessing against an American on matters of American Law? Likewise, shall we hold as credible, witnesses who are not even in the Kingdom of God (Jn. 3:12)?

β€œExceptΒ a man be born again, he cannot SEE the Kingdom of God” -Β John 3:3

β€œBut these speak evil of those things whichΒ they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.” -Β Jude 1:10

β€œBeloved, BELIEVE NOT every spirit, but TRY the spirits whether they areΒ of God: because manyΒ falseΒ prophetsΒ are gone outΒ into the world.” -1 John 4:1

"Why do ye notΒ understandΒ my speech? even because yeΒ cannotΒ hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, andΒ abode not in the truth, becauseΒ there is no truth in him. When he speaketh aΒ lie, he speaketh of his own: forΒ he is a liar, and the father of it. AndΒ because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, WHY DO YE NOT BELIEVE ME?Β He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." -Β John 8:43-47

"They areΒ of the world: thereforeΒ speakΒ they of the world, and the worldΒ hearethΒ them. We areΒ of God: he that knoweth GodΒ hearethΒ us; he that is not of GodΒ heareth notΒ us.Β HerebyΒ know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." -Β 1 Jn. 4:5-7

β€œIt is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.” -Β Prov. 18:5

β€œBrethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” -Β Gal. 6:1

There should be an awareness that we live in perilous times (2 Tim. 3:1-5): a time of mockers, backsliders, persecutors, and liars who profess the name of Christ so as to wear sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

"Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees wereΒ offended, after they heard this saying? But He answered and said, EveryΒ plant, which My heavenly FatherΒ hath not planted,Β shall be rooted up. LET THEM ALONE: they beΒ blind leadersΒ ofΒ the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" -Β Matt. 15:12-14

β€œPROVE ALL things; hold fast that which isΒ good.” -Β 1 Thess 5:21

"And then shall MANY beΒ offended, and shallΒ betray one another, and shallΒ hate one another. And MANYΒ false prophetsΒ shall rise, and shallΒ deceiveΒ MANY. AndΒ because iniquity shall abound, the love of MANY shallΒ wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." -Β Matthew 24:10-13

There should be a biblical perspective of what mischief Satan is capable of through slander and persecution. A biblical precedent has been clearly set forth in Scripture concerning the capabilities of Satan in this area, lest what happened in the 1st century to the apostle Paul repeats itself. This means that there should be an awareness that true Christians can be deceived by the manipulation of Satan through slander, like the Jerusalem Christians did wrongly reject the apostle Paul at the latter end of his ministry because they believed the ever-growing tumult of false witnesses which rose up against him (they were feeling pressured, no doubt, by the great multitude of false reports which ran to and fro continually). [For more information on what happened to the apostle Paul, please see The Early Church & A Survey of Biblical Missions.]

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep IN THE MIDST of wolves: be ye therefore WISE as serpents, and harmless as doves." -Β Matt. 10:16

β€œWhich things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receivethnot the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himselfΒ is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? butΒ we have the mind of Christ.” -Β 1 Cor. 2:13-15

PromisesΒ &Β ProphesiesΒ Which Must be Fulfilled ---Β John 12:23-28Β (Lk. 6:40Β (1 Jn. 2:6,Β Heb. 2:10,Β Acts 14:22),Β Jn. 7:6-7Β (1 Jn. 3:1,Β 13,Β 1 Pet. 4:1),Β Jn. 12:35-36Β (Matt. 5:14-16,Β Eph. 5:7-17,Β Heb. 13:12-13),Β Jn. 15:18-25Β (1 Jn. 3:1,Β 1 Thess. 1:6,Β 2:1-4,Β 13-16,Β 2 Tim. 3:12)
​

​#2. All the Necessary Witnesses Involved with the Event Must be Heard & then Judged

The temptation will be strong to hear some witnesses - but not all witnesses - of a reported incident, or to hear the accuser but not the accused. All the witnesses who were present and involved in the matter reported must have EQUAL place to speak before conclusions / judgments are made, and the witnesses must be treated with due process of respect irrespective of reputation!

"Doth our Law judge any man,Β before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" -Β John 7:51

β€œYe shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as aΒ talebearerΒ among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.” -Β Lev. 19:15-16

"And I charged your judges at that time, saying, HEAR the causes between your brethren, andΒ judge righteouslyΒ between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall NOTΒ respectΒ persons in judgment; but ye shall HEARΒ the smallΒ as well asΒ the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it." -Β Deut. 1:16-17

"He that answereth a matter BEFORE HE HEARETH IT, it isΒ follyΒ andΒ shameΒ unto him." -Β Prov. 18:13

"It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment." -Β Prov. 24:23

The witnesses must be soundly examined - the persons and their fruits - and when they prove sound and true to be considered viable witnesses, two or three from a single event reported must be carefully examined and diligently questioned with the contrary witness held in scope. (Note: This is not two or three witnesses of two different events of two different times, both of whom come together to confirm something similar, thus condemning the character of the accused. This is not biblical. The two or three different witnesses must be from the SAME event, with the contrary witnesses being heard, weighed, and held in just balance.)

β€‹β€œThis is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall everyΒ word be established.”  -Β 2 Cor 13:1

β€œAt the mouth of two witnesses, or threeΒ witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put toΒ death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” -Β Deut 17:6

β€œAgainst an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” -Β 1 Tim 5:19

β€œHe that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” -Β Prov 18:17

β€œIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” -Β Prov 25:2

If you ever find anyone pleading for Biblical Due Process and the accusing party is giving excuses on why it can't be done, you should be highly suspicious of the matter being reported to say the least. No one has the right to cast the rules of biblical integrity to the wind concerning this matter. 

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