By Mike Demory

 ON a recent news program there was a discussion concerning the culture and language in the United States. The participants brought out the fact that as late as the 1960’s vulgar language was not used on television, in movies, books, or found in public. But today, it seems that everywhere we turn, profanity has become the norm. One high school basketball coach in the interview, said that he had zero tolerance for profanity, and if any player were caught using it, he would be immediately thrown out of the game.

It is amazing that more and more we are hearing the idea of “Zero Tolerance” being applied in many areas of our lives. Our schools have a “zero tolerance” policy in effect when it comes to guns, knifes, or any other type of weapon. The same is true of illegal drugs, and so-called “hate crimes.” There are many areas in which we should mandate “zero tolerance,” but all too often it is in the wrong place, or not at all. Zero tolerance is of course the refusal to tolerate or allow something; or not to allow a deviation from a standard. Many times we will tolerate something to a point, allowing a person to get by with it once or twice, and then if it happens a second or third time then punishment will ensue. But “zero” tolerance means that punishment will be brought immediately upon the infraction. While we should all hold ‘zero tolerance’ for profanity, illegal drugs, and hate, there are areas where zero tolerance should and should not be the norm.

In doctrine: ‘Zero tolerance’ must be the name of the game when it comes to doctrine. After all, if we are to follow the example of our Lord, then we can not allow a deviation from the one true standard – the Bible. Jesus did not tolerate the Jewish religious leaders of His day. He told them to their face, in public, and before a crowd, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29). Then in chapter 23 of Matthew, Jesus continues to rebuke them for their hypocrisy, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!…” (vs. 13-16, 23, 25, 29). Jesus is our perfect example of ‘zero tolerance’ when it comes to no deviation from the true standard.  He never worried about winning friends or influencing people. He came to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10).

Every child of God should hold a ‘zero tolerance’ policy when it comes to false doctrine. Zero Tolerance against any doctrine that divides men unto different religious groups (1 Cor. 1:10). Zero Tolerance against any doctrine that allows divorce for any reason (Matt. 19:9). Zero Tolerance against any doctrine that teaches baptism is not essential to salvation (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Zero Tolerance against any doctrine that allows titles such as “father, reverend, pastor, etc.” (Matt. 23:8-12). Zero Tolerance against any doctrine that teaches miracles, tongue speaking, etc. are still given today (Mk. 16:20; 1 Cor. 13:8-10).

Not when voicing opinion: Far too many people get hot under the collar when voicing their opinion - as if theirs was the only way, or the only authority in the matter. Opinion is just that – an opinion, and like noses, everybody has one. Opinion is defined as “a  belief stronger than an impression, but less than knowledge, a judgment, a view.” Opinion often comes into play when choosing floor coverings, wall colors, automobile preference, best professional sports team or player, etc. Such things should never cause us to become so adamant that we turn to blows, cause divisions, or break up friendships. The Scriptures speak of our behavior based upon our opinion whether Christian or not. Keeping in mind that everyone will be judged from the Scriptures as to how well we kept them, Paul says, “look not every man to his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4). In the verse prior he said, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Also; “let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good” (1 Cor. 10:24).

There are many principles such as these that apply to the situation of opinion. If we were all to willingly surrender our will to the will of others rather than holding ‘zero tolerance,’ then possibly there would be less strife.

Not when discussing the Bible: Just like opinions, many people hold ‘zero tolerance’ for any one that wants to study the Bible with them - especially those who claim to be Christians. When we look at the example of those in the first century who obeyed the gospel and became God’s chosen, we are told that they, “continued stedfastly in the apostles teaching and fellowship…….” (Acts 2:42). Their joy in being saved caused them to study the scriptures together. The Psalmist said, “I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts” (Ps. 119:63). Paul said, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Why do some “Christians” hold a ‘zero tolerance’ toward other “Christians” who want to study the Scriptures together? Christians are commanded to be “of one mind, of one accord” (Phil. 2:2). How else can they discover if they are of one mind and one accord, if they do not study together? I’m sure that everyone has friends or family who will not study the Scriptures with you because they either don’t want to know the truth, or are afraid that you are trying to convert them to your way of thinking – I know I do. It is truly upsetting that they will not tolerate the suggestion of studying the Bible to see what God has to say about spiritual things. After all, is truth not objective, rather than subjective? It is logically impossible for two differing beliefs to both be correct at the same time. Paul said, “Let us walk by the SAME RULE, and mind the SAME THING” ( Phil. 3:16). He also said that we are to “speak the SAME THING” (1 Cor. 1:10). Either both are wrong, or one is wrong and the other right. Everyone understands that the teacher who has ‘zero tolerance’ for a student who says 2 plus 2 equals 5, because the answer is wrong. But when it comes to spiritual matters, the world believes that any answer is correct.

Zero Tolerance – should be applied in a balanced way in every area of our lives. We must tolerate the opinions of others, but we must never tolerate false doctrine. We must never tolerate man’s inhumanity to man, but we must tolerate anything that does not violate God’s laws (Acts 5:29). Zero Tolerance – which side of the fence do you stand?