When being confronted with false doctrine or error, we are not called to keep our mouths shut. Neither are we ever instructed to simply pray on it.
Titus 1:10-2:1: For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.
Jude 3-4: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you that ye should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our
God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord
Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 5:20: Then that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear.
2 Timothy 4:2-4: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables.
Proverbs 28:4: They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as
keep the law contend with them.
When no one stands for the truth, then the truth is no longer upheld. If truth isn’t fought for, then error and lies win. When error and false doctrine is unopposed, then people will believe a lie. Where there is compromise, error, or deception, be assured that satan or the flesh is involved. False teaching is sin and should be dealt with publicly. We are warned by our Lord about doing it privately:
Matthew 7:6: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
When one takes a leader aside, privately, to reveal error one of two things are sure to happen. One is that they will receive it, as long as it is truly error, and you will have saved a brother/sister.
James 5:19-20: Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one
convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the
error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a
multitude of sins.
The other result is that they won’t and, more often than not, will scorn the one bringing correction.
Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9:8: Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise
man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 12:15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that
hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Many times what will happen is that those who are reproved or rebuked will turn around and backbite. They will speak against the reprover behind their back, trying to tear up their reputation while they aren’t there to defend themselves or their actions. This is why we are to do it publicly. When it comes to deception or false teaching, there will be many witnesses to it. Secondly, it involves everyone in the fellowship being fed error and stops them from falling into the same error. In addition, it also eliminates the possibility of someone being taken out of context or even lied about. We are given many examples in Scriptures of people standing against the crowd in order to stand for our Lord, whether people wanted to hear it or not.
Ephesians 5:11: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.
Confronting error/evil in our midst