Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that it would depend on the reasons or motives for publicizing the situation.

If the negative experience that happened to you might similarly occur to other unsuspecting people through no fault of their own, and/or if it involved deliberate, proven wrongdoing on the part of an institution (such as a bank) which the public trusts or on which it relies, then, in my opinion, calling attention to it could be both justified and a benefit to others.

(This would be the case even if it might cause you personal embarrassment to do
so -- such as if, for example, you yourself did not exercise adequate caution or good judgment in the situation -- and even if the other party is also a Christian -- although, as a Christian, the other party should not have committed such deliberate wrongdoing.)

To me, the service that you would be performing for others under such circumstances would outweigh any obligation (either as a Christian or just on a human level) that you might have to the other party or parties involved in the incident. 

On the other hand, if you were publicizing the situation out of a spirit of vindictiveness, or for the purpose of shaming or humiliating specific individuals; or if the problem were a matter of opinion, or personal perception/interpretation (especially between private parties), rather than matters of fact that could be legally established or proven, then I would say that it would be best to pursue the matter in a less visible manner through oversight/enforcement organizations or legal remedies that exist to address and rectify such occurrences.

Also (in my experience), the "fine print" on most documents related to formal financial or investment advice specifically absolves the advisor from liability for any negative consequences arising from decisions that clients make to follow or not follow their advice (again, in the absence of any unauthorized, illegal actions on the part of the advisor).

June 24 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

When you ask if this action you're planning is OK who are you referring to as the standard of approval, God or other believers? Are you thinking that your involvement with someone you call an unbeliever is verboten? You say you got bad advice from someone; what if the advice you get here from 'got questions' backfires?

The world (tv stations and media organizations) are self-serving and that's what you have to ask yourself. Do you want to marry up with them? How will you be perceived? Will it change anything? Can something good come from it? 
2Cor 6:14-15 is a popular scripture quoted in such instances as this. Paul tells them to not be yoked unequally with unbelievers. He says that light and darkness can't coexist. But the scriptures preceding those scriptures gives the context of this narrative. He's educating them on the functions of reconciliation. He's actually telling them how former enemies can agree to an amicable truce. He talks about all the wrong he and his fellow ministers were willing to endure. Verse 3 "giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited". 
Ask yourself this: what outcome are you hoping for? What will it prove?

June 25 2016 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chip Crawford

If this is a case of your own bank, who would have an obligation to you, actually failing in their functionality and causing you loss, then you are eligible for remedy. If you were wronged, you can seek remedy. If you notice in Leviticus, there is much about a person being compensated for loss and being made whole and our doing the same for others. It is God's heart for all to be made whole and he teaches us to think like that. When it comes to matters outside of brothers, wholeness is still God's will, but in this case I do not see that we are admonished to be defrauded rather than go to court, etc. In that case, we do have recourse against the world for stealing from us by fraud or injury. However, man cannot always give back what they took from you, but God can. 

The matter begs the question at this point about how much you would be compensated by publishing the error made. Would that provide compensation for the loss?

Perhaps a good session of heart talk with the Father about all of this, with some genuine listening time, would avail much in settling whether you were supposed to consult with the bank in the first place and your motive now and where to go from here. There is more information needed to settle the question, and the heart and leading element are significant. 

This could serve as a signpost for the need to develop a hearing ear. Searching the word about what is said about the Lord leading us and how and developing in that would be quite beneficial. His lordship is supposed to be exercised as to determining his will concerning our actions and decisions. Certainly if there was a lack of peace at the time of the consultation and acting on the information, there will prove out a bad outcome. One should never violate that inner caution. 

Do you really want to broaden the scope of this matter before establishing more about foundational issues? Is this step endorsed by your Lord? Is there peace concerning it? Or is this another false step and one which could potentially cause you more harm? The Father knows and will safeguard you, revealing his will and way for you when seeking him with all your heart.

July 01 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report