Gain And Not Lose Friends
ICS Daily Devotions
Matthew 18:15 (NKJV) “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
The opposite of gaining a brother is losing one. We can easily do that if we don’t settle the differences, are easily offended, or sin against them.
Many of us have experienced falling out of friendship with someone because one party was quietly offended. In such cases, we must address the issue biblically according to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:15-22.
1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Our spouse is our best friend and our prayer partner. Our prayers can be hindered if we treat our spouse treacherously. We cannot afford to lose our spouse by failing to deal with the differences in a mature way.
God is the witness at the marriage altar and a silent observer of all marriage relationships. God has made it clear how to treat our spouse. Women tend to be more emotional, expressive, and vocal about their feelings. Therefore, husbands must be empathetic, patient and supportive without being easily offended. The couple must also deal with any offences promptly.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NKJV) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
Being easily offended is a sign of immaturity, carnality, and self-righteousness. The difference between spiritual babies and mature believers is the ability to handle differences. The apostle Paul says those who stir up division and faction are carnal and spiritual babies, not ready for solid food. Meanwhile, self-righteous people think they are more holy, righteous, and worthy before God than others and like to point out others’ faults and weaknesses to cover up their own.
We must also avoid gathering friends who hold the same view as us regarding the party who has wronged us. Our judgement will be blurred when we get personal rather than objective. We must listen to the other side of the story before concluding the matter. Lastly, we must gather all the facts before thinking someone has sinned against us instead of just reading between the lines of texts, social media posts, or emails. If we don’t collect the truth before approaching someone, we bear false witness against them. The hallmark of a Christian is our love for one another.
Sermon Series: What Is Seventy Times Seven Times?
