Theocast
Should YOU Critique Other Christians?
April 29, 2026
Summary
Do you have to confront someone privately before critiquing them publicly? In this conversation, Jon Moffitt addresses a common appeal to Matthew 18 in discussions about public criticism among Christians. Examining whether this passage requires private confrontation in every situation before speaking publicly. The discussion clarifies the context of Matthew 18 and how it should be applied. Jon also considers how believers should think about online critique and accusations of sin. The goal is to bring biblical clarity to a question that comes up often.
Topics
- Whether Matthew 18 requires private confrontation before every public critique
- The context of Matthew 18 and how it should be applied
- Thinking carefully about online critique among Christians
- Accusations of sin and when public critique is fitting
Links
- The Bible According to Jesus — how Jesus teaches us to read the Scriptures
- Theocast Community
- Rest — free ebook on faith vs. faithfulness
- Partner with Theocast
Transcript
Edited machine transcript. May contain errors. Select a timestamp to watch that moment.
Should we go to someone privately first before we critique them online?
Is it required of us in Matthew 18 that I must first confront someone and hopefully, get them to confess or to repent privately before I ever do something publicly.
That's the conversation for today: Christians critiquing Christians publicly.
What's the rules of engagement from the Bible?
We're going to talk about that today.
Hopefully that'll be helpful for you.
this happens quite a bit.
How dare you confront that person without first going to them privately?
You're now in sin.
I can no longer watch this video.
Well, maybe we should think about how the Bible has what the Bible has to say about that.
And let's jump into it.
Stay tuned.
Ever read the Bible and walk away feeling like you're failing?
No matter how hard you try, you're never measuring up.
That's not a motivation problem, that's a reading problem.
Most people have never been taught how to read the Bible the way Jesus taught it.
So when they hear things like, be perfect, deny yourself, take up your cross, they assume it's all about trying harder.
But what if that's not what Jesus was doing at all?
What if the law isn't meant to fix you, but to reveal your need for a savior?
