Daily New Life
Steve Arterburn
God has given us the responsibility to honestly confront those who do wrong. For most of us, confrontation is a difficult task. For a few, it’s much too easy. I hope you don’t delight in finding fault in others. If you do, stop and consider if you do this as a way of over¬looking your own faults.
God does call you, however, to help others see the truth. In es¬sence, you can hold up a mirror to your good friends, and they hopefully will do the same for you.
Jude, the brother of Jesus, reminds us that we are to deal honestly and directly with those who do wrong, while showing them mercy (Jude 22-23). Help others see their faults but with great humility. You’re not responsible for the behavior of others, but you are re¬sponsible to gently and tactfully point out areas of misbehavior that may cause them to stumble, fall, or lose their way.
Are you avoiding some tough conversations? If you have kids, are you confronting them? And when you do are you doing it with gentleness and humility? Check yourself. Is your tone respectful? Is your word choice uplifting or condescending? God calls you to show courage by addressing wrong. But remember the goal is always to see the other person restored, not belittled. Help that person turn back to God.
“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.” - Plutarch (46-120)
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