It is better to do nothing than risk antagonizing somebody. That is why the Thyatirans did not confront this obviously powerful woman. Of all Christians in the world, modern Americans probably can empathize with the Thyatirans the most. After all, tolerance is a part of us. It goes against our grain to openly challenge anyone over what they believe.
Freedom of conscience is a precious national treasure.
But the Lord's message to them and to us is that, within the fellowship, and as George Will notes, even in civil society, there are limits. You see, we become paralyzed when too great a concern for tolerance takes hold. Our witness as a church neither comforts the afflicted nor afflicts the comfortable. The church's very reason for existence is called into question. But it is possible for a church to be crowded with people there to be entertained rather than instructed, to be soothed rather than confronted - a club rather than a congregation.