Exempt from Biblical Discernment

So certain people or congregations were instrumental in your conversion or sanctification. You have since "grown out" and moved on doctrinally. Great. It is right to recognize that God sovereignly used them. It is right to be grateful. Give credit to whom it is due, and glory to God.

But does being used by God earn anyone a "life-time exemption from biblical discernment" card?

Too many Christians fall all over themselves to excuse or dismiss error, sometimes serious error, because of a past contribution to their spiritual walk.

You are capable of making distinctions. "I was converted there, praise God. But I grew and had to move on, because the church wasn't sound doctrinally or practically." More recent issues develop, and you are able to say, "I was blessed by God through them before, but this is not right."

By all means, defend against unfair criticism. But don't ever defend error. Don't blindly defend individuals or churches in spite of more recent error, though they helped you in the past. "They can do no wrong, because I wouldn't be where I am today if not for them!"

Loyalty, respect, appreciation, grattitued, truth, righteousness, fairness, and discernment must work in harmony. To blindly jump up and block all negative criticism simply because God used them in your life—in spite of their weaknesses and errors—regardless of the facts of the matter, is just spiritual "utang na loob."

To use a biblical term, it's the sin of partiality. You exempt them from biblical discernment simply because of what they did for you. You refuse to hold them to God's universal standard of truth and righteousness, out of "gratitude." NO.

Be fair. Examine all things. Error is error, no matter who says it. Unrighteousness is unrighteousness, no matter who commits it.

Call it like it is, with love. Give credit to whom it is due, but don't whitewash. Be thankful, but don't lie.