Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction The Sharpening Process: As Iron Sharpens Iron.
Relationships can be tricky at times, and it's easier to give up that do our best to live at peace. But spiritual maturity and Christ-like attitudes are formed by dealing biblically with difficult relationships.
1. Notice the priority God places on dealing with differences.
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
When we cannot reach agreement about our differences, we are still commanded to live at peace with others. This means we continue to treat others kindly, and we forgive them. We do not seek to take revenge or hurt them in any way.
Ephesians 4:31-32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
2. What caution should we take before trying to talk things through with others?
Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
This passage does not mean that we are not to judge another person's behavior. It means we are not to judge them hypocritically, without first judging ourselves. It's totally appropriate to tell another person that they've hurt us or explain that something they've done is inappropriate. See Galatians 6:1.
Ephesians 4:31-32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
2. What caution should we take before trying to talk things through with others?
Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
This passage does not mean that we are not to judge another person's behavior. It means we are not to judge them hypocritically, without first judging ourselves. It's totally appropriate to tell another person that they've hurt us or explain that something they've done is inappropriate. See Galatians 6:1.
But we should be careful not to judge another person's motives because only God can see their hearts (James 4:11). It's appropriate to say, "You hurt my feelings." It's not appropriate to say, "You intentionally set out to hurt my feelings."
For more understanding of this passage, read "Do Not Judge" and Judge the Sin, Not the Sinner.
copyright 2017, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.blogspot.com, updated 2021
copyright 2017, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.blogspot.com, updated 2021
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