Happy Monday to you all!
Hope you had a great weekend?
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The topic for the next three weeks will be about correcting in love.
Let's start with what love is.
In accordance to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love is patient, love is kind,
love is gentle, love does not get jealous, love does not envy, etc.
Therefore, to correct in love means we must take into consideration the
above definition of love.
What does the Bible say about correcting others in love?
When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. (Ezekiel 33:8 NIV).
Vs 9 of Ezekiel 33 - But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.
Vs 9 of Ezekiel 33 - But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.
Proverbs 28:23
He who rebukes a man will afterwards find more favour than he who flatters with the tongue.
He who rebukes a man will afterwards find more favour than he who flatters with the tongue.
Matthew 18:15–17
If your brother sins, go and show
him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But
if he does not listen to
you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or
three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 “If he refuses to listen to them,
tell it to the assembly; and if he refuses to listen even to the assembly, let
him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
2 Timothy 2:24–25
The Master’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all,
able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps Elohim may grant them repentance
leading to the knowledge of the truth.
Leviticus 19:17–18
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbour, but shall not incur sin because of him. 18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbour, but shall not incur sin because of him. 18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
- Myss Lafunky
Is it possible to stay on the fence and neither correct nor condemn (judge) that fellow? Would it also be considered a sin? After all some people may say 'it is not my business'...
ReplyDeleteSorry for my late response. I'm not sure whether it is a sin actually. However, I am aware that the Bible says in James 4:17 that whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, to the person it is a sin.
DeleteNonetheless, some people like to mind their own business by quoting 1 Thessalonians 4:11 which says that 'And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you'.
As stated above, God wants us to correct our friends that err. If you would rather stay on the fence, it is best to give an example of similar issues and suggest a solution whilst talking to that individual. Also you can pray for the person and ask the Holy Spirit to correct and teach the person.
When we mind our own business when our friends err, I personally do not think we are showing love. It is about how we correct in love.
The next two parts that I will be posting will focus on: Things to consider when you want to correct people in love and how to correct people in love.
hello, do you mean like simple just ignoring the person or do you mean telling someone pros and cons of their actions and expecting them to make the final decision.If the later, would see this as a positive thing.
DeleteUltimately, I believe it is not our role to correct everybody. We have to apply wisdom in all things. As christians to correct you have to consider a lot of things. search your spirit, I dont mean a fasting and long prayer things, you can do a quick evaluation. you should either be led or you have prayed about it and gotten a go ahead before you do it. In that case you will know how to do it in love. I would not say staying on the fence is always a sin, but it could be a sin if it is an act of disobedience, in the same way doing it in an inappropriate manner could be a sin. my own understanding of James 4:17 is what we choose to do and not what we decide for someone else to do. So for example if person A is doing something person B knows is wrong. I dont see person B as failing to do something right simple because of someone else. However this verse i believe applies to them in terms of correction. if they know in that scenario they should correct (they will know within themselves) and they dont, then it is a sin for them.
it depends on the previous relationship one has. IF this person is a close friend, most times people dont even evaluate, you just go ahead with it, but still in love
you need to also consider if the person is a believer? This can affect the approach and whether you do it. if they dont share you views in the first place, you could simple pray for them, as they may not even agree to your point of view as may lack the fear of God
My final view is take every situation different, the way you deal with person A may not work for B. Do with with a clean heart and in genuine love. even if they dont like you that moment, they will see the positive effect later on and be grateful.
Thank you tenpoints review. You are right, it also depends if the individual is a believer, the approach that we use, and being mindful of the individual person as the way someone may correct me maybe different from the way the individual corrects someone else. Lol @ your comment about fasting and prayer.
DeleteBro Yomi, I hope we have been able to answer your question.
Yes. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes. Thank you.
ReplyDelete