A friend of mine is constantly being bombarded with divisive, contentious, and hurtful comments from an individual that is very close to them. My buddy tries their utmost to get along with everyone, especially this friend; however their antagonist is really trying to make them miserable for some reason.
What should a God fearing individual who only desires peace do when faced with such a situation? I advised this person to confront their tormentor and admonish them. If they persisted after a try or two’ then they should reject them and move on.
While they did not summarily discard what I said, it was obvious that they were unconvinced that my advice was sound. I’m not surprised at this because the Bible can seemingly be full of contradictions; (provided one takes things out of context). Clearly there are verses that instruct us to turn the other cheek when an enemy slaps us, and others that tell us to “shake the dust off our feet” after rejecting them.
What would Jesus do?
We do know what Jesus told His disciples when He instructed them to go and preach the Gospel: “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Yikes!
In Romans 12:18 it tells us: “if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” In Titus 9:10 the Bible tells us to “reject a divisive person after the first and second admonition. Knowing that such a person is warped and sinning; being self-condemned”.
That about sums it up in my mind. The problem is that some folks just can’t bear to admonish, much less reject divisive family and “friends” who torment them at every opportunity. As I was skimming through the Bible this morning I kept seeing over and over again verses pertaining to the peace of Jesus. It is obvious to me that He desires for His children to know peace. It’s a little difficult to obtain when folks seemingly want just the opposite. It is not a coincidence in my mind that the Bible refers to these oppressors as being “warped”.
My advice is to grow yourself some courage and go to them and gently explain that you do not appreciate their abuse and you cannot continue to tolerate it. When they start in on you again, remind them of your previous conversation and ask them to refrain, only this time be more forceful. Finally when they start with it again, then have the moxie to ban them from your presence, telling them that if they ever decide to stop their poor behavior you will resume a relationship with them; otherwise to have a nice life far from you.
When they are out of sight and mind for a while, you will be amazed at how fast your peace returns and how wonderful it is not to be stressed over their poor behavior.
Have a great weekend and BE SURE and go to Honey Lake Church this weekend to hear Glenn and Beth Burns speak, enjoy the special music, and eat some of that great southern cooking after the service. Services start at 11 and Bible study at 9:30.
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
March 11, 2016 – Click here to listen