"If another believer sins against you go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17 NLT)
Those of us that have a relationship with Jesus Christ are called to a higher level of interaction with people. We are to reflect Jesus.
If someone offended you, angers you, hurts you, does you wrong, whatever it may be - deal with the issue one-on-one, privately, not on social media! Your goal should always be restoration. Know this, restoration does not mean they have the same seat at the table of your heart! It means forgiveness and possibly parting of the ways while walking in love.
"Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also." (Galatians 6:1 AMPC)
If that does not work, we are to bring in one or two mature believers to help mediate and facilitate restoration.
If that doesn't work, we go before the elders of the church.
If that doesn't work you leave it with God, bless them, and go your way, without talking about them, trying to get others to hate them, or telling their secrets! Things told to you in confidence do not ever belong on the playing field of a disagreement. Integrity, relationship with Jesus Christ, holds us to a higher standard.
My fellow believers STOP playing out your drama on the world's stage. This in no way brings honor to God, or promotes our command to love, or facilitates restoration. If you bring it to social media or to others not involved in the healing process then you are out of order. It doesn't matter if you are right. It matters how you walk it out before a watching world.
God is your defense. Let Him handle the other person and your heart!
“But I know that all their evil plans will boomerang back onto them. Every plot they hatch will simply seal their own doom. For you, my God, you will destroy them, giving them what they deserve. For you are my true tower of strength, my safe place, my hideout, and my true shelter.” (Psalm 94:22-23 TPT)
STOP committing spiritual murder and character assassination! Believe me, Jesus is NOT proud of you or me when we do this! Focus on restoration instead of character assassination. Lead with love.
Be Encouraged! ❤
(Updated From the Vault of LWM)