It has become common in American society to view name dropping and calling people out in regards to something negative as 'wrong' even a 'sin'. The question(s) we dive into are: Is it ever 'okay' (right and not a sin) to name dropping and calling people out? If and when it is appropriate? To come to the answers to these questions, we need to first look at Jesus Christ and his apostles.
Our first question is:
Did Jesus name drop and call people out in regards to something negative?
To answer this question we turn to Matthew 11:21-22. Jesus specifically calls out whole towns and its population. He points out their problem and states what will happen to them because of their problem. Nothing positive about Jesus' statement. If an entire town is not enough, in Matthew 16:23 Jesus calls out Peter in front of the other apostles very sharply. Again, not a positive statement and most likely hurt his feelings. In Luke 9:54 Jesus directly and openly rebukes the disciples for their thinking errors which most likely offended them. Now these are all done with and in front of the disciples and followers of Jesus. The next logical question is:
Does Jesus name drop and call out non-believers in regards to something negative?
We see in Matthew 15:1-9 that while Jesus was with the public healing people, the Pharisees and scribes came to talk to him. He calls them out and says "you say..." and "why do you..." in a negative manner. He calls them out on their false and hypocritical teachings and actions in a highly negative way. This would have defiantly offended them as it was done in front of others.
Even in conversations with 'crowds' and his disciples, he names drops in Matthew 23:1-36. He speaks about the Pharisees and scribes in a negative manner, in front of them, but not to them; that is offensive. His name dropping and calling out is for the crowd and disciples about the Pharisees and scribes. He then turns to the Pharisees and scribe and calls them out in front of the crowd and disciples. This was incredibility insulting and offensive. Yes, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was insulting and offensive. Some of the language he used is extremely offensive in that culture; thus he could even be understood to be cursing. The FCC would have censored him on national TV in America.
In Matthew 16:6, 12 Jesus talks specifically about the Pharisees and scribes in a negative manner when they are not around. Essentially, he talks 'behind their back' to the apostles. Negative comments about them and not in front of them.
He name dropped and called out non-believers in a negative manner in public, in private, when they were and were not around. From this point some will say; 'Well he is God so he can do that but we are not God' But this leads to 1 problem and another question.
Problem: If God can not sin and Jesus is God; therefore calling out and name dropping believers and non-believers in a negative manner in public, in private, when they are and are not around is not sin. Why? Because Jesus did, he is God, and God does not sin.
Did the Apostles name drop and call people out in regards to something negative?
In 3 John 9 we see John name drop an individual in regards to something negative he was doing. He calls him by name for the reader to know and states what the issue is.
In 2 Timothy 2:17-19 we see Paul name drop an individual in regards to something negative they were teaching. Just like John he calls him by name for Timothy to know and for all the other readers to know. His statement about this person is not positive.
We are instructed (commanded) to even "avoid THESE people" (2 Timothy 3:5). Who are 'these people'? Well, we are told to rightly judge and determine individuals that need to be rebuked and avoided due to their sinfulness.
Paul continues in 2 Timothy to name drop (2 Timothy 4:9, 14) and instructs (commands) Timothy to "watch out for him" (2 Timothy 4:15). How is Timothy suppose to know who to avoid and watch out for if it is a sin to specifically name people?
Even the disciples of the Apostles name drop persons who teach heresies in their later writings.
Just like all things humanity does, even name dropping and calling out can be done in such a way it becomes slanderous and sinful.
At what point does name dropping and calling people out in regards to something negative become sin?
This is just as basic as righteous judgement. We want to name drop and call people out in a gentle loving way. A way that is not done with malice in your heart. Where you genuinely care for them and others who listen to them. You care if the Lord is slandered or dishonored and if others are lead astray and further lost due to the teachings of the individual.
Jesus offended and hurt feelings. The Apostles offended and hurt feelings. The disciple of the Apostles offended and hurt feelings. Hurt feelings do not define sin and what is 'wrong'.
In Conclusion:
Jesus name dropped and called believers and non-believers out in their sin in public and private.
The Apostles and disciples of the Apostles name dropped and called believers and non-believers out in their sin in public.
Must be done in such a way that it is not with malice or slanderous intent but remain gentle and true.
It may or may not offend or hurt feelings; but that is not the deciding factor of whether or not to name dropped and called believers and non-believers out in their sin in public and private.
It is love and to seek the greatest good for the individual and those who listen to the individual. It is a loving act to name dropped and called believers and non-believers out in their sin in public and private when rightly done.
To those who Disagree:
It IS AN ERROR to make people feel bad or to slander those who DO name dropped and called believers and non-believers out in their sin in public and private who do it rightly just as Jesus and the Apostles did. By saying it is wrong, is to say Jesus and the Apostles were in sin when they did it.
Holy scripture is in agreement that it IS RIGHT to name dropped and called believers and non-believers out in their sin in public and private whom do it rightly just as Jesus and the Apostles did. To disagree is to disagree with scripture and the verses listed above. A study on "to rebuke", "righteous judgement", "edification" and "church discipline" is highly recommended.