Overwhelming with Kindness

Back in the 1980's I was in seminary. During that time, Jim and Tammy Faye Baker were actively bilking thousands of believers out of millions of dollars, and very publicly promoting a gospel of "prosperity". We young theologian wannabes might be sitting around discussing their latest exploits, and girding ourselves for the spiritual warfare we would be joining soon, which would include proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and hopefully guiding folks back to the way of the cross, rather than the way of the "streets of gold".
I am often frustrated with my Christian brothers and sisters that divert the passion of the devout away from the sacrificial life of Jesus to this very worldly approach to being "God's chosen and blessed children". For me, being a child of God means many things, but one of those is that I am no longer thirsting after the things of this world (wealth, fame, big houses, my own TV show...) and start getting really excited about the things Jesus was all about.
So, why don't we speak out more forcefully against the modern heresies of the day? I concur with what others have written, that is, if we employ the world's use of force (slander, tearing down our opponent, or a "win at all costs" attitude) we lose our credibility, and are no better (or worse) than those who we oppose.
We are followers of the "Way". That "Way" is patently different than the world. How easy it would have been for Jesus to condemn those who accused him. And then Pilate may have quietly released him, and the world may never have known Jesus. God may be calling us to stand up for what we believe, regardless of the cost, and to do it with all the fierceness of a sacrificial lamb, on the day before the Passover!
God's love for us sustains us particularly in the face of adversity.

Now, there may be a time when we are confused about what this means RE: the polygamist sect. The attacks on that sect from the world, may be an intrusion on their personal rights, but it is not an attack because of their faith, but rather because of their misguided doctrine.
This is the a caution for us. Look to scripture, pray about it, look to the history of the church for similar doctrinal positions, test thoughts with the community.

Now back to the first thing. Overwhelming with kindness may be the very way of God to deal with differences. Being patient, loving, listening, and yet firmly standing on principal (measured with scripture, tradition, reason and experience) can win over an opponent to a friend. The opposite is often true. Using the weapons of the world against our opponent will usually send them into the trenches, and then we have a real mess!
Grace and peace,
Thom