In the modern digital landscape, a new doctrine of “toxic unity” has emerged. You’ve seen the posts: “Before you post a rebuke, did you follow Matthew 18?” or “Scripture calls for restoration, not public correction.” While these sentiments sound spiritual and “Christ-like,” they often represent a dangerous misapplication of Scripture. By using verses intended for private reconciliation to silence the defense of sound doctrine, we leave the sheep defenseless against wolves.
If we are to be faithful to the Word of God, we must distinguish between a personal trespass and a public heresy.
1. The Context of Matthew 18: Personal, Not Public
The most common weapon used to silence discernment is Matthew 18:15: “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
Notice the specific qualifier: “against you.” * The Scope: This is a private grievance. It is an interpersonal offense—a debt, a lie, or a personal slight.
• The Goal: To win back a brother without unnecessary shame.
• The Misapplication: Applying this to a public teacher broadcasting false doctrine to thousands is a category error. If a man stands in a pulpit (or on a YouTube channel) and denies the deity of Christ or the necessity of holiness, he hasn’t sinned “against you” privately; he has sinned against the Truth publicly.
2. The Mandate to “Mark and Avoid” (Romans 16:17-18)
When the integrity of the Gospel is at stake, the New Testament protocol changes from “private meeting” to “public warning.”
In Romans 16:17, Paul does not suggest a DM or a private coffee date for those spreading error. He says:
“Now I urge you, brethren, note [mark] those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
The Greek word for “note” or “mark” is skopeō—to scrutinize or pull into the crosshairs. Paul commands the church to identify these individuals publicly so the “simple” (the naive) are not deceived by their “smooth words and flattering speech.” Public deception requires public correction.
3. “Their Mouths Must Be Stopped” (Titus & Timothy)
Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus—the “Pastoral Epistles”—are the manual for church order. He didn’t tell Titus to “restore” every person spreading a different gospel.
• Titus 1:10-11: Paul describes those who are insubordinate and deceptive, saying, “whose mouths must be stopped.” You don’t stop a public mouth with a private whisper.
• Titus 1:13: He commands, “Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” The word “sharply” (apotomōs) means abruptly or severely.
• 1 Timothy 5:20: For leaders who persist in sin or error, Paul is even more direct: “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”
4. The Ephesians 5:11 Command: Expose Darkness
We are often told that “exposing” people is “unloving.” Yet, Ephesians 5:11 commands:
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
To “expose” (elenchō) means to bring to light. If a teacher is leading people into a “work of darkness” through heretical doctrine, “loving” them into hell is not a fruit of the Spirit. True love for the sheep requires the shepherd to drive away the wolf.
5. Unity is Founded on Truth, Not Silence
The “Restoration” movement asks, “How do we guard truth without destroying unity?” The biblical answer is: You cannot have unity without Truth. * Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” * Jude 1:3: We are told to “contend earnestly for the faith.” Contending is a struggle. It is not always “polite” in the eyes of the world.
Unity at the expense of Truth is not the Unity of the Spirit; it is the Unity of the Grave. When a teacher departs from the Apostolic doctrine, they are the ones who have destroyed the unity. A watchman who sounds the alarm isn’t “causing division”—he is identifying the division that the false teacher already created.
Conclusion: The Watchman’s Duty
There is a time for Galatians 6:1—restoring a brother who has slipped into a personal fault with a spirit of meekness. But we must not confuse a stumbling sheep with a subversive teacher.
If the teaching is public, the defense must be public. If the heresy is broadcast, the warning must be broadcast. We do not “follow Matthew 18” when the souls of the flock are on the line; we follow the example of Paul, who named names (Hymenaeus and Philetus) and rebuked Peter publicly to save the Gospel.
Be a watchman, not just a bystander.