OCTOBER 20
MATTHEW 7:12_Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…
Matthew 18:15 (KJV), “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” In this example a trespass has been committed—someone has trespassed into your life. What is the key word in this verse which can keep you from falling into the gossip pit? Did you say alone? You got it! The verse does not say spread the news around the whole neighborhood, or church. Deal with it between the two of you. Tell how you’ve been offended.
If private conversation has not resolved the problem you may need to take a couple of people with you to serve as witnesses to the conversation. If that doesn’t work, Jesus says for the two of you to take the matter before your church leaders. Let them resolve the issue. In neither of these cases are you advised to spread the offense outside of Jesus’ set boundaries.
Hopefully, a private conversation can resolve a personal offense. Often offenses are unintentional. You don’t always know how others may perceive what you say.
Talk about it.
PRAYER
Holy Jesus, Help me learn to speak carefully and not offend others. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Christ set boundaries for offenses – I will not cross them!
The Works of Her Hands 