Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Do you have to confront someone privately before critiquing them publicly? Jon Moffitt addresses a common appeal to Matthew 18 in online Christian critique: what that passage is about, when public error calls for public response, and how believers should engage without turning every opinion into an essential.

In this episode you'll hear:
- Why "you must go privately first" is often misapplied
- Matthew 18's private-sin / relationship context
- How apostles handled public teaching issues without private chats first
- Rules of engagement for critiquing believers
- Distinguishing essentials, important matters, and opinions
- Pray for the person you critique; aim at restoration

Who it's for: Christians navigating online discernment culture, pastors who critique public teaching, and anyone confused about Matthew 18 and public correction.

Proposed / estimated chapters (auto-captions have no exact timestamps; adjust after publish if needed):
0:00 - Must you go privately first?
6:00 - Why this comes up so often
12:00 - Public ministry and naming names
18:00 - Categories: private sin vs public teaching
25:00 - Matthew 18 in context
32:00 - Apostolic pattern in the letters
38:00 - Rules of engagement for believers
45:00 - Essentials vs opinions
50:00 - Pray before you critique
55:00 - Community and close

Jon's book: The Bible According to Jesus — How Jesus Teaches Us to Read the Scriptures
theocast.org/products/the-bible-according-to-jesus

New free ebook: Enough in Christ:
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Book: The Bible According to Jesus — How Jesus Teaches Us to Read the Scriptures:
theocast.org/products/the-bible-according-to-jesus

Free ebook: Rest:
theocast.org/collections/books/products/rest-a-consideration-of-faith-vs-faithfulness-ebook

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