Thank you for the question on rudeness, “Does the Bible justify rudeness?”
In orderr to answer this question one has to define rudeness. Rudeness is defined as lack of manners; discourtesy. It may be regard to table manners as constantly interrupting someone or giving negative comments about something or someone.
As a general principle, the Bible does not justify rudeness. The second greatest commandment is that a person is to love the other person as himself. If we don’t want to be treated that way, then we are not to treat that person in that manner.
Some individuals feel or believe a person is rude if the other person disagrees with his or her viewpoint. They may become distant or aggressive for they may feel that they are being attacked. It is normally better to let the person complete their sentence or idea before responding.
An interesting case is when the prophet Samuel interrupted King Saul. In I Samuel 15, the text says this, “When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.”14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” 15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”
16 “Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. 17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” 20 “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal” (NIV).
Was Samuel rude in confronting King Saul? There will be individuals who would view that Samuel was rude to King Saul by interrupting and disagreeing with him. In my opinion, Samuel was not rude. He had a message from God regarding Saul’s action. The prophet must not defer to the king otherwise he would not be a spokesperson for God. The king can’t override the words of God.
In confronting sin, one must be direct and honest in stating the problem. An opportunity is given to the person to respond, but excuses are not acceptable. Condemning sin is not rude. It is calling that person to repentance. Saul was given a second chance to obey God’s command. He failed and sought to justify his actions. Thus, Samuel was not rude but honest with Saul.
Summary: Confronting sin is not rude.
-Kingston